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Stephen F. Austin State University’s Office of Multicultural Affairs recognized 51 graduates of its Diversity and Inclusion Certification Program during a campus luncheon April 26.

Held annually, the program strives to engage and expose SFA faculty and staff to critical issues in diversity, multicultural education and social justice, as well as facilitate relationship building and learning opportunities across campus.

“This program is important because it lets faculty and staff navigate through and network about crucial issues on a variety of topics pertaining to diversity, equity and inclusion,” said Veronica Beavers, OMA director. “In addition, the program’s graduates and participants have shown a commitment to enhancing their knowledge of DEI on campus. Many students have told me personally that seeing this commitment among faculty and staff is truly appreciated.”

Graduates, who began the program in the fall, were awarded a certificate and a “Diversity Champion” miniature axe handle for completing the program.

Program graduates represented a total of 11 SFA colleges, divisions and offices — three from the College of Liberal and Applied Arts; five from the College of Sciences and Mathematics; four from the Division of Academic Affairs; two from the Division of Finance and Administration; 14 from the Division of Student Affairs; three from the Division of University Marketing Communications; four from Enrollment Management; eight from the James I. Perkins College of Education; six from the Micky Elliott College of Fine Arts; one from the Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion; and one from the Office of Environmental Health, Safety and Risk Management.

“Having a large graduation class means a lot,” Beavers said. “In 2019-20 and 2020-21, we averaged about 40 graduates a year, so to see the numbers increase to 51 this year is exciting.”

The free program is open to all SFA faculty and staff. Participants may complete the workshops as a means to earn the certificate or may attend individual workshops based on professional interests or needs. To attain the certificate, participants must attend the foundations workshop and four elective workshops.

OMA plans to offer a Level II certification, along with a similar certification program to community members.

To learn more about OMA, visit sfasu.edu/oma.

Hendricks’ research interests intersect the broadcasting industry, social media and new media technologies, and political communication. He has authored and edited 12 books, including “The Radio Station: Broadcasting, Podcasting, and Streaming,” “The Palgrave Handbook of Global Radio,” “The 21st Century Media: Economic and Managerial Implications in the Age of New Media,” and “Social Media and Strategic Communications.”

His book, “Communicator-in-Chief: How Barack Obama Used New Media Technology to Win the White House,” was the recipient of the National Communication Association’s Applied Research Division’s Distinguished Scholarly Book Award in 2011.

The BEA Book Award was established in 2020 to recognize an outstanding book written by BEA members in the field of broadcasting and mass communication. BEA is the professional association for professors, industry professionals and graduate students interested in teaching and research related to electronic media and multimedia enterprises.

For more information about SFA’s Department of Mass Communication, visit sfasu.edu/masscomm.

Dr. David Creech, Stephen F. Austin State University professor emeritus of agriculture and director of SFA Gardens, will receive the 2022 Outstanding International Horticulturist Award from the American Society for Horticultural Science, recognizing his decades-long contributions to international horticultural science, education, research and outreach.

“Working internationally changes a person,” Creech said. “You suddenly realize there are like-minded souls in every culture — folks who love horticulture, crop production and new ways of doing things. The great joy is developing friendships that last a lifetime.”

Creech’s international research and collaboration spans more than four decades across 10 countries. Examples include kiwifruit research and commercialization with cooperators in South Africa, Italy and New Zealand; blueberry production and urban tree research in China; as well as United States Agency for International Development consultancies for fruit and vegetable production in Guatemala and Pakistan.

“David’s contributions to the field of horticulture, both in the U.S. and abroad, are extensive,” said Dr. Hans Williams, dean of SFA’s Arthur Temple College of Forestry and Agriculture. “His diversity of professional collaborations and research interests have made him a true ambassador for SFA on a global scale.”

Established in 1903, the American Society for Horticultural Science is recognized around the world as one of the most respected and influential professional societies for horticultural scientists. Creech will be honored at the society’s 119th annual conference in Chicago.

Story by Sarah Fuller, outreach coordinator for Stephen F. Austin State University’s Arthur Temple College of Forestry and Agriculture. Contact information: (936) 468-1185 or fullersa@sfasu.edu.

The Sylvans, Stephen F. Austin State University’s timbersports team, won its fourth consecutive collegiate title at the Louisiana Forest Festival’s timbersports competition held April 23 in Winnfield, Louisiana.

“We scored 26 points overall, narrowly beating out tough competition from Louisiana Tech University, the University of Arkansas at Monticello and Louisiana State University,” said Dr. Jeremy Stovall, Bone Hill Foundation Distinguished Professor of silviculture and Sylvans faculty advisor at SFA. “Our team did a great job representing SFA.”

The Sylvans took first place in the axe throwing, men’s crosscutting, women’s log chopping, men’s log chopping and men’s single buck crosscutting events. The team earned second, third and fourth places, respectively, in the women’s single buck crosscutting, Jack and Jill crosscutting and women’s crosscutting events.

Established in 1979, the Louisiana Forest Festival celebrates the timber industry’s contributions to the state.

Story by Sarah Fuller, outreach coordinator for Stephen F. Austin State University’s Arthur Temple College of Forestry and Agriculture. Contact information: (936) 468-1185 or fullersa@sfasu.edu.