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Soaring into the future of aviation sciences, Stephen F. Austin State University has become the first institution in the United States to fly the Tecnam P-Mentor two-seat trainer airplane, equipping Lumberjacks with the most advanced training platform available in the country.

“Tecnam has been flying the airframe around the world for a couple of years now, and I was able to fly one out of Brazil to test it,” said Jack Gainer, chief instructor pilot for SFA’s aviation sciences program. “The P-Mentors that we received are even more advanced than that aircraft, and we are the first ones in the nation to have them. Not only are we the first to fly them in the United States, but they arrived in our SFA purple colors.”

Acquiring the Tecnam P-Mentors puts SFA’s flight program at the top of industry standards preparing graduates for what they will utilize out in the field.

“SFA graduates will have high-tech experience, and we’ll be the first ones to have it,” Gainer said. “Our students will be very notable when they begin searching for a career. They can say, ‘I was a Flying Jack,’ and the industry will know they are hiring graduates with experienced training.”

Offered through the James I. Perkins College of Education’s School of Human Sciences, SFA’s aviation sciences program exists through a partnership with HCH Aviation, a specialized aviation training school.

Tecnam Aircraft is an Italian aircraft manufacturer and the oldest manufacturer in the world. The Tecnam P-Mentor is a state-of-the-art training plane created for flight schools that is affordable to maintain and uses less fuel than other training airplanes.

“The delivery of the P-Mentor caps off our conversion of our fleet to an all-inclusive Tecnam Flight Program,” Kristen Conklin, HCH Aviation president and a 2009 SFA graduate, said in a Tecnam media release. “The innovation, low operational cost and aerodynamics of this platform are perfect for our students and our operations. This combined with the reliability of Tecnam Aircraft’s products made it a very easy decision to choose the P-Mentor.”

One SFA student, Josi Oujesky, a first-year aviation sciences major from Pearland, was the first student to transition from the program’s previous Tecnam Sierra plane to the P-Mentor.

“It just kind of hit me like, ‘Wow, you’re the first student in the United States to fly this plane,'” Gainer said, describing Oujesky’s experience with the plane. “Not just the first student at SFA, but the first in the United States to actually train in the P-Mentor.”

Gainer said Oujesky had a great experience with the P-Mentor and could immediately tell a difference from their previous planes.

“She said the P-Mentor felt very different and that the plane is more stable,” Gainer said. “It’s designed that way, with much more control and incredible aerodynamic technicalities. It’s just a really enjoyable airplane for students.”

The first four P-Mentors arrived at the beginning of June and an additional three will arrive before the fall semester. Two more planes are expected to arrive the following spring.

“One of the things that we’re really interested in, both SFA and HCH Aviation, is to keep a modern fleet,” Gainer said. “We want a new, clean fleet that is well maintained. In comparison to some of the other flight training universities that are still flying 1960s, ’70s or ’80s aircrafts, we will have quite a fleet.”

Additionally, all planes are available for aviation sciences students to practice in regardless of classification. SFA’s aviation sciences program starts students flying as soon as possible, and many Lumberjacks will be able to fly the P-Mentors as early as their first week in the program.

“Having students fly as soon as we can has always been one of our personal goals, because a lot of universities don’t have students fly at all for their first year,” Gainer said. “We vow to our students to have them airborne within their first two weeks, if not the first week.”

To learn more about SFA’s aviation sciences program and how to be on the cutting edge of the aviation industry, visit gosfa.com/3VuQ03C.

ABOUT STEPHEN F. AUSTIN STATE UNIVERSITY

Stephen F. Austin State University, the newest member of The University of Texas System, began a century ago as a teachers’ college in Texas’ oldest town, Nacogdoches. Today, it has grown into a regional institution comprising six colleges — business, education, fine arts, forestry and agriculture, liberal and applied arts, and sciences and mathematics. Accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, SFA enrolls approximately 11,000 students while providing the academic breadth of a state university with the personalized attention of a private school. The main campus encompasses 421 acres that include 37 academic facilities, nine residence halls, and 68 acres of recreational trails that wind through its six gardens. The university offers more than 80 bachelor’s degrees, more than 40 master’s degrees and four doctoral degrees covering more than 120 areas of study. Learn more at sfasu.edu.

By Parastoo Nikravesh, senior marketing communications specialist at Stephen F. Austin State University

The Stephen F. Austin State University School of Art and the Friends of the Visual Arts will present a free, one-night screening of the Oscar-winning motion picture “Forrest Gump” at 7 p.m. Friday, July 5, at The Cole Art Center @ The Old Opera House.

Celebrating the endearing film’s 30th anniversary, the Friday Films committee plans to have film-related trivia questions and themed prizes before and after the showing.

Based on the novel by Winston Groom and starring Tom Hanks in the title role, “Forrest Gump” tells the history of the United States during the 1950s to the ’70s from the perspective of an Alabama man with an IQ of 75, who yearns to be reunited with his childhood sweetheart. Gump, a gentle soul born in a small southern town, happens into one memorable experience after another.

Directed by Robert Zemeckis, the film also stars Sally Field, Robin Wright Penn and Gary Sinise. “Forrest Gump” received six Academy Awards for Best Picture, Best Actor, Best Director, Best Screenplay, Best Film Editing and Best Visual Effects. The film is rated PG-13 for drug content, some sensuality and war violence.

The School of Art’s First Friday Film Series is sponsored in part by retired filmmaking Professor William Arscott. The Cole Art Center, SFA’s historic downtown gallery, is located at 329 E. Main St. For more information, call (936) 468-1131.

Five members of Stephen F. Austin State University’s Model European Union team earned top three individual placements during the 2024 Midwest Model European Union April 10-12 in Bloomington, Indiana.

Emilee Cude of Kyle earned first place in the Justice and Home Affairs Council; and Gavin Willsey of Lakeway and Mia Bradley of Lufkin tied for first place in the European Parliament. Benjamin White of Humble and Briley Smith of Nacogdoches earned third place in the European Commission and European Parliament, respectively.

Hosted by Indiana University, the MMEU competition is the second oldest and largest intercollegiate simulation of the European Union in North America. The purpose of the competition is to increase awareness and knowledge of the EU, its institutions and its processes, according to Dr. Steven Galatas, SFA associate professor of government and Model EU faculty advisor. SFA’s team has been named Best Delegation – the top honor – at the previous two competitions.

“Our students showed a great sense of poise and commitment in this competition, which is regarded as the largest Model EU program in the country,” Galatas said. “The students developed a greater understanding of the EU’s global role and the critical importance of the United States and EU relationship in ensuring peace and stability both in Europe and worldwide.”

The simulation models the legislative bodies and administration of the European Union. Students use bargaining, negotiation, public speaking and diplomacy skills to pass legislation. In most legislative bodies of the EU, a unanimous vote or a weighted majority is needed. Students addressed issues such as climate change, immigration and asylum, the Russian-Ukrainian war, artificial intelligence regulation, and the Israel-Hamas war.

“I’m no stranger to representing SFA, but I seldom get to do so outside of state lines,” Nathan Lyons said. “Being able to represent SFA at Midwest Model EU carried significant responsibility and honor. As SFA won Midwest Model EU the two prior years at this competition, there was certainly pressure on our shoulders, but carrying our SFA values with us allowed for a fun, friendly and competitive experience.”

SFA’s team represented Italy during the competition, which was chosen through a lottery system. Since SFA’s team was named Best Delegation during the 2023 competition, they received the first pick. In preparation, the team met regularly to review EU legislature processes and research the country’s positions on important or critical issues facing the EU today.

SFA students who represented the Italy delegation included Casper Dirkx of Spaarndam, Netherlands, who served as prime minister of Italy in the European Council; Dacoda Burkholder of Rice, foreign minister of Italy in the Foreign Affairs Council; Lyons of Lufkin, economic minister of Italy in the Economic and Finance Council; Jaden Parker of Texarkana, environment minister of Italy in the Environment Council; Cude, justice minister of Italy in the Justice and Home Affairs Council; Hayden Thacker of Lake Jackson, vice chair of the European Commission and commissioner for the Economy in the European Commission; Willsey, president of the European Parliament and member of the European Parliament from Italy representing the Lega Salvini Premier Party; and Bradley, member of the European Parliament from Italy representing the Lega Salvini Premier Party.

Additionally, three SFA students formed a joint team with Texas Woman’s University to represent Portugal. Students included Matthew Bryan of Schertz, who served as economic minister of Portugal in the Economic and Finance Council; White, European commissioner for cohesion and reforms in the European Commission; and Smith, member of the European Parliament from Portugal representing the Socialist Party of Portugal.

“Participation in Midwest Model EU taught me that the European Union is not as complicated as it seems, and how crucial compromise and collaboration are to getting legislation passed efficiently,” Smith said. “Students should consider joining Model EU because it is a fantastic opportunity to gain confidence, practice speaking skills, collaborate with others, to make friends from other schools and build connections and relationships between members on the team.”

The competition also presented opportunities for students to hear from guest speakers, including representatives of the Belgium Embassy in Washington, D.C., and Walter Goetz, head of the European Parliament Liaison Office in Washington, D.C. Goetz spent time with the students who were assigned to the European Parliament, offering significant insight and advice on deliberations.

“Model EU is one of the highlights of my academic year as you bond so much with fellow political science majors over the course of five days, learn a lot about the EU, is a great place to network with other undergraduates, and you learn to defend your ideas and put the material you learned from class into real-life practice,” Dirkx said.

Interested in participating in Model EU? Contact Galatas for information at galatasse@sfasu.edu. For more information about SFA’s Department of Government, visit sfasu.edu/government.

ABOUT STEPHEN F. AUSTIN STATE UNIVERSITY

Stephen F. Austin State University, the newest member of The University of Texas System, began a century ago as a teachers’ college in Texas’ oldest town, Nacogdoches. Today, it has grown into a regional institution comprising six colleges — business, education, fine arts, forestry and agriculture, liberal and applied arts, and sciences and mathematics. Accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, SFA enrolls approximately 11,000 students while providing the academic breadth of a state university with the personalized attention of a private school. The main campus encompasses 421 acres that include 37 academic facilities, nine residence halls, and 68 acres of recreational trails that wind through its six gardens. The university offers more than 80 bachelor’s degrees, more than 40 master’s degrees and four doctoral degrees covering more than 120 areas of study. Learn more at sfasu.edu.

By University Marketing Communications

Nine students in Stephen F. Austin State University’s Department of Education Studies traveled to Washington, D.C., in early June to learn firsthand what it felt like to advocate for their future professions to the U.S. Congress during the American Association of Colleges for Teacher Education’s Washington Week.

Students attending the AACTE’s legislative conference engage in advocacy training and learn about the legislative process for public education. Walking the hallowed halls in which our nation’s representatives decide how best to guide our democracy, they also meet with U.S. representatives, senators and their staffers, and tour historical sites across Washington.

“Because of my experiences during Washington Week, I now know that my thoughts and opinions can help positively change the world of education,” said Katie Jones, SFA senior interdisciplinary studies major from Alto. “Students gain knowledge and experiences that will shape them into teachers who can properly advocate for themselves and their future students.”

Conference attendees had the opportunity to discuss education policy with congressional staffers, which was an enriching opportunity that some students did not expect.

“Something that will always stick with me is our meetings with the staffers. I was very surprised when I learned that we scheduled meetings to advocate for different policies and it was not just a simple meet and greet,” said Emma Halliburton, senior deaf education major from League City. “It felt empowering to go to congress and speak on real-life situations. It was great that we got to put what we learned in lectures to work at the end of the trip.”

The students also toured Gallaudet University, the country’s first school for deaf education. While there, they learned about the university’s mission of ensuring the intellectual and professional advancement of deaf and hard-of-hearing individuals through American Sign Language and English.

“One of the things I looked forward to most was touring Gallaudet University,” Halliburton added. “I am majoring in deaf education, and I was excited to finally go to a place that I had learned so much about.”

This is the second time SFA students have attended the conference coordinated by Dr. Jannah Nerren, professor and chair of the Department of Education Studies. This year, Dr. Lindsey Kennon, coordinator for the deaf and hard of hearing teacher preparation program and assistant chair for special education programs, helped facilitate the trip.

Students must go through a rigorous application process to attend the conference, starting with a faculty member nomination. Paired with a letter of recommendation and completion of a personal essay, the application process itself begins developing professional skills students can use while learning from the Washington Week experience.

“This is a fast-paced, busy three days with a variety of experiences,” Nerren said. “Students should be interested in learning more about education-related policy and how educators can impact the future of their profession by learning more about legislative advocacy.”

Hear more about the trip’s lasting impact on the upcoming episode of the Department of Education Studies’ Axe Ed a Question podcast, which will be available for listening June 27 on Spotify and on their webpage, gosfa.com/axe-ed-podcast. In the episode, hosts Alyssa Landreneaux, assessment coordinator and lecturer of education studies, and Dr. Sarah Straub, associate professor of education studies, interview this year’s participants to learn about their conference experiences.

For more information on SFA’s Department of Education Studies, visit sfasu.edu/edstudies.

ABOUT STEPHEN F. AUSTIN STATE UNIVERSITY

Stephen F. Austin State University, the newest member of The University of Texas System, began a century ago as a teachers’ college in Texas’ oldest town, Nacogdoches. Today, it has grown into a regional institution comprising six colleges — business, education, fine arts, forestry and agriculture, liberal and applied arts, and sciences and mathematics. Accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, SFA enrolls approximately 11,000 students while providing the academic breadth of a state university with the personalized attention of a private school. The main campus encompasses 421 acres that include 37 academic facilities, nine residence halls, and 68 acres of recreational trails that wind through its six gardens. The university offers more than 80 bachelor’s degrees, more than 40 master’s degrees and four doctoral degrees covering more than 120 areas of study. Learn more at sfasu.edu.

By Parastoo Nikravesh, senior marketing communications specialist at Stephen F. Austin State University