Everything Nac

Stephen F. Austin State University’s SFA Gardens will host the monthly Theresa and Les Reeves Lecture Series at 7 p.m. June 13 in the Brundrett Conservation Education Building at the Pineywoods Native Plant Center, located at 2900 Raguet St.

Dr. Allen Owings, senior horticulturist at Bracy’s Nursery in Amite, Louisiana, will present “Crimes Against Horticulture: Common Improper Practices.”

Owings was born and raised in Hammond, Louisiana. He holds a bachelor’s degree in plant science from Southeastern Louisiana University, master’s degree in horticulture from Louisiana State University and a doctoral degree in horticulture from Mississippi State University.

In 2017, Owings retired from the LSU AgCenter where he served for 25 years as a professor of horticulture working with the nursery landscape and garden center industries. At Bracy’s Nursery, he works in social media, education and horticulture outreach.

State and national agricultural associations have recognized Owings for his work in and dedication to the horticulture industry. He also is a life member of the Louisiana Nursery and Landscape Association and Louisiana Society for Horticultural Research. He is current president of the Louisiana Chapter of the Azalea Society of America and the Region 7 director for the American Rose Society. He enjoys gardening, golf and LSU sports.

The Theresa and Les Reeves Lecture Series is held the second Thursday of each month and includes a rare plant raffle after the program. The lecture is free and open to the public, but donations to the Theresa and Les Reeves Lecture Series fund are always appreciated.

Parking is available at the PNPC and Raguet Elementary School, located at 2428 Raguet St.

For more information, call (936) 468-4129, or email sfagardens@sfasu.edu.

Students from area schools recently participated in Stephen F. Austin State University’s Julia Robinson Mathematics Festival, hosted by the Department of Mathematics and Statistics, and spent the day working with faculty and SFA students to develop problem-solving skills through math puzzles, problems and games.

Organized in honor of the late Julia Robinson, the first woman mathematician to be named a member of the National Academy of Science, the festival supports locally organized events across the country with the aim of promoting collaboration and creativity in kindergarten through 12th-grade students and encouraging interest in STEM.

“We know that middle school is a stage when such interest declines for a lot of students,” said Dr. Jane Long, associate professor in the department. “Coming to our campus for a day of positive experiences with mathematical thinking in a non-competitive atmosphere can show students that a college major in STEM could be a great opportunity for them.”

To learn more about SFA’s Department of Mathematics and Statistics, visit sfasu.edu/academics/colleges/sciences-math/math-stats.

By Joanna Armstrong, marketing communications specialist at Stephen F. Austin State University.