Axe ’Em, Jacks!
NACOGDOCHES, Texas — During its two-day quarterly meeting, the Stephen F. Austin State University Board of Regents recognized student, faculty and staff achievements, as well as approved faculty and staff appointments.
Special recognitions
The board congratulated James I. and Margaret Perkins, who were recently awarded the Texas Higher Education Distinguished Service Award by the Independent Colleges and Universities of Texas, the Council of Public University Presidents and Chancellors and the Texas Association of Community Colleges.
The board recognized members of the Division of Academic Affairs: Sharon Brewer, executive assistant; Crystal Adams, director of the Early Childhood Laboratory; Lysa Hagan, CEO and principal of SFA Charter School; Inés Maxit, study abroad coordinator in the Office of International Programs; and Dr. Michael Tkacik, professor of government and director of the School of Honors.
The board also thanked the SFA centennial committee for its work on planning events throughout 2023 to honor the university’s first 100 years. SFA’s centennial celebration launched at the SFA Gala Saturday. The official SFA centennial website can be visited at sfasu.edu/centennial.
The board then recognized four of this year’s eight President’s Award recipients: Cassandra Montesano, equine center supervisor; Kate Childress, academic advisor in the Student Success Center; Kassondra Perry-Weaver, senior secretary in the DeWitt School of Nursing; and Bill Bryant, grounds worker II in the Physical Plant Department.
The remaining recipients will be recognized during the April board meeting.
Lastly, the board recognized the volleyball and football teams for earning Western Athletic Conference championships.
Faculty, staff appointments
In the Arthur Temple College of Forestry and Agriculture, regents appointed Dr. Cord Eversole as assistant professor of forestry.
In the College of Liberal and Applied Arts, Cherhonda Brown and Mohammad Khan were appointed as assistant professors in the School of Social Work, Drs. Ghanem Elhersh and Cassandra Hayes were appointed as assistant professors in the Department of Mass Communication, Dr. Andrew Lannen was promoted to interim chair of the Department of History, Lauren Sullivan was appointed as lecturer in the Department of English and Creative Writing, and Lillian Touchstone was appointed as visiting lecturer in the Department of Psychology.
In the College of Sciences and Mathematics, regents appointed Alexandria Bryant and Cassey Edwards as lab coordinators in the Department of Biology, appointed Zachariah Fleming as assistant professor in the Department of Earth Sciences and Geologic Resources, promoted Dr. J. Kevin Langford to interim chair of the Department of Biology, appointed Dr. Rashid Mia as assistant professor in the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, promoted Dr. Odutayo Odunuga to interim chair of the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, and appointed Drs. Nurul Raihen and Dylan Rambow as visiting assistant professors in the Department of Mathematics and Statistics.
In the School of Nursing, Sarah Davis, Megan Nichols, Rebekah Wagoner and Jennifer Young were appointed as clinical instructors.
In the James I. Perkins College of Education, regents appointed Dr. Amber Chelette as visiting assistant professor in the Department of Kinesiology and Health Science, appointed Dr. Nicole Letchworth as assistant professor in the Department of Education Studies, promoted Dr. Ronda McClain to assistant professor in the Department of Education Studies, and appointed Dr. Nghia Neal Nguyen as associate professor in the Department of Education Studies.
In addition, regents appointed Dr. Nandhakumar Radhakrishnan as associate professor in the Department of Human Services and Educational Leadership, appointed Dr. Andrew Southerland as assistant professor in the Department of Human Services and Educational Leadership, promoted Lauren Suggs to interim lead teacher in the Early Childhood Laboratory, and promoted Dr. Michael Walker to interim chair of the Department of Human Services and Educational Leadership.
In the Micky Elliott College of Fine Arts, regents promoted Stephen Bacarisse to technical director, appointed Lindsey Creel as assistant professor in the School of Art, appointed Margaret Hinchliffe as accompanist in the School of Music, appointed Drs. Cody Hunter and Benjamin Morris as assistant professors in the School of Music, appointed Haley Jameson as assistant professor in the School of Theatre and Dance, and appointed Jessica Thomas as visiting assistant professor in the School of Theatre and Dance.
In the Rusche College of Business, Dr. Robert Crocker was promoted to professor in the Department of Management and Marketing, John Freeman was appointed as lecturer in the Department of Business Communication and Legal Studies, Dr. Wenqing Gao was appointed as assistant professor in the Department of Economics and Finance, Jennifer Goddard was promoted to advising director in the college’s Office of Student Services, and Dr. Suhyung Lee was appointed as assistant professor in the Department of Business Communication and Legal Studies.
In addition, Dr. Charles Oberweiser was appointed as assistant professor in the Schlief School of Accountancy, Dr. Laurie Rogers was promoted to assistant dean for academic and career success in the college’s Office of Student Services, James Hunter Throckmorton was appointed as lecturer in the Schlief School of Accountancy, Drs. Derek Walton and Yang Xu were appointed as assistant professors in the Department of Management and Marketing, and Dr. Carol Wright was promoted to chair of the Department of Business Communication and Legal Studies.
Carrie Charley was promoted to assistant vice president of Campus Living, Dining and Auxiliary Enterprises; Megan Weatherly was promoted to executive director of the Lumberjack Learning Commons; Steven Whitman was promoted to both associate director of Campus Recreation and interim assistant director of aquatics, safety and outdoors; and John Wyatt was promoted to interim director of Human Resources.
In the Center for Teaching and Learning, Alison Reed was promoted to interim director, and Javier Vega was promoted to learning experience design specialist II.
In the Office of Research and Graduate Studies, Mickie Gunter was promoted to program director and Jennifer Hanlon Patterson was promoted to director.
Will Honea was named coordinator of digital initiatives and records management in Steen Library, and Kathleen Thompson was named student success coordinator in the Student Success Center.
Will Chancey was appointed as development officer I in the Office of Development, Allen Lyons was appointed as auditor II in the Department of Audit Services, Sydnee Seeton was appointed as career coordinator in the Center for Career and Professional Development, and Connor Temple was appointed area coordinator in Residence Life.
In the Physical Plant, John Branch was promoted to interim director, Perry Brown was promoted to transportation and special services manager, Allyson Bryce was promoted to accountant III, William Richardson was appointed as assistant director of construction, and Mark Scott was promoted to assistant director.
In the Department of Athletics, George Brandon was appointed as assistant director for broadcast technology and marketing operations, Kasey Fisette and Matthew Pawlik were appointed as athletic trainers, Robert Hansen was promoted to track and field/cross-country head coach, Sarah Williams was appointed as program director for creative video services, and Hannah Patrick and William Patrick were appointed as coaches with the Cheer and Dance Teams.