Everything Nac

Emily Parker, a prominent tax attorney and Stephen F. Austin State University alumna, will deliver the commencement address during all three of the university’s graduation ceremonies Dec. 9 and 10.

 

With the exception of a short stint as acting chief counsel and deputy chief counsel for the IRS from 2002 to 2004, Parker spent her entire career at super firm Thompson & Knight LLP, now Holland & Knight. She was the first female lawyer hired by the firm and later became the firm’s first female partner. She served as managing partner at the firm from 2012 to 2016 and retired in 2019.

 

A native of Henderson, Parker graduated from SFA with a bachelor’s degree in economics and finance in 1970. She then attended Southern Methodist University’s Dedman School of Law, graduating with a Juris Doctor from that institution in 1973.

 

Throughout her career, Parker was part of the Who’s Who of Texas attorneys, with the superlatives of best, outstanding, top-notch and distinguished oftentimes attached to her name. Currently a member of SMU law school’s executive committee, Parker’s past legal admissions when she was a star tax litigator in the oil and gas industry went all the way up to the U.S. Supreme Court. 

 

Parker created the Emily A. Parker Scholarship to benefit academically high-achieving students pursuing any major at SFA. She also supports Dallas Court Appointed Special Advocates, the Child Abuse Prevention Center, Easterseals North Texas and Texas Women’s Foundation.

 

All of SFA’s December commencements will be held in Johnson Coliseum. Candidates from the James I. Perkins College of Education will participate at 6 p.m. Friday, Dec. 9.

 

At 9 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 10, candidates from the Micky Elliott College of Fine Arts, Arthur Temple College of Forestry and Agriculture, and College of Liberal and Applied Arts will participate in commencement.

 

Also, at 12:30 p.m. Dec. 10, candidates from the Rusche College of Business and College of Sciences and Mathematics will participate.

 

Degrees to be awarded include 873 bachelor’s, 160 master’s and one doctoral degree. Approximately 398 students will graduate with honors, including 111 cum laude, 121 magna cum laude and 165 summa cum laude. Thirty-four students will graduate with the university scholar designation.

 

Each graduate receives 10 guest tickets with the option to request more. Community tickets will also be available the day of the ceremony. Doors will open one hour before the ceremony begins.

 

For more information, visit sfasu.edu/commencement.

The Electric Guitar Ensemble at Stephen F. Austin State University will perform at 6 p.m. Friday, Dec. 2, in the Music Recital Hall, Wright Music Building, on the SFA campus.

Directed by Larry Greer, the ensemble will present a program of jazz standards mixed with Christmas favorites. Admission is free. For additional information, contact the SFA School of Music at (936) 468-4602.

The Symphony Orchestra at Stephen F. Austin State University will showcase the 2022 SFA Concerto/Aria Competition winners in a concert at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 29, in Cole Concert Hall on the SFA campus.

This year’s winning “Stars of Tomorrow” are Oliver Yan, Hong Kong graduate student, conductor; Logan Dooley, Texarkana senior, baritone; Özge Serceler, Eskişehir, Turkey, graduate student, cello; Quentin Fisher, Roanoke, Virginia, senior, French horn; and Peyton Joffre, Carrollton junior, saxophone. Winners are given an opportunity to perform a solo work with the SFA Symphony Orchestra, according to Dr. Gregory Grabowski, director of orchestral activities at SFA.

“This program is focused on our students,” Grabowski said. “The overture will be conducted by an orchestral conducting graduate student, and all the other pieces feature the winners of the 2022 Concerto/Aria Competition from areas of the School of Music – string/piano, brass, woodwinds and voice.”

Tickets are $8 for adults, $6 for seniors and $3 for students and youth. To purchase tickets, call the SFA Fine Arts Box Office at (936) 468-6407 or visit finearts.sfasu.edu. For additional information, contact the SFA School of Music at (936) 468-4602.

Stephen F. Austin State University School of Theatre and Dance’s production of “Lord of the Flies” is being considered by Region 6 Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival to receive an invitation for a performance at the regional festival next year.

Directed by Cleo House Jr., director of the School of Theatre and Dance, “Lord of the Flies” was presented Nov. 3 through 6 as part of SFA’s MainStage Series. Its nomination follows a tradition of SFA plays earning nominations for festival inclusion. Last year’s SFA production of “Bootycandy,” also directed by House, was one of only six plays selected from throughout a five-state area to be presented at the festival. This year, “Lord of the Flies” is also held in a tie for Director’s Choice and for Respondent’s Choice honors.

“What I love most about participating in KCACTF is that our students get to see the work of others or have their work seen by others beyond the walls of SFA,” House said. “It is important to get outside of our bubble and get feedback from other professionals.”

House believes the KCACTF experience teaches students how to give and receive feedback, and the process of traveling a show and mounting it is “an invaluable experience.”

“Naturally, it is always great to see our students, faculty and staff being recognized for their hard work and creativity,” he said, “but KCACTF has been an important vehicle for making sure that SFA theatre is recognized for the work we do beyond campus. In addition, it serves a vehicle for recruitment. I have found that when students from junior colleges and other universities see us in action, it is a good motivational tool for them in making their decision to study theatre at SFA.”

In addition to the play being nominated, a number of cast and crew were recognized following their presentation of “Lord of the Flies” as part of the KCACTF Texas State Festival held at Panola College earlier this month. Irene Ryan Acting Nominations went to Baytown junior Joshua Harris in the role of Piggy; Sugar Land freshman Anthony Krosecz in the role of Jack; and Gary sophomore Grant Calloway in the role of Ralph. Meritorious Achievement honors went to Brownsboro senior Maige Anderson, prop designer; Katy junior Amado Velasco, dramaturge; Chandler senior CaitLyne Martin, stage management; faculty member CC Conn, sound designer; and Hickory Creek junior Emma Dumas and Brenham senior Olivia Cantrell, assistant directors.

The regional committee will decide in December which productions will be invited to the regional festival Feb. 27 through March 2 in Abilene.

KCACTF is a national organization affiliated with the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C. The organization celebrates and encourages excellence in college and university theatre.

For more information about the School of Theatre and Dance, call (936) 468-4003 or visit sfasu.edu/theatre-dance.