You may have already picked up on the theme, “Great things are happening at SFA,” through reading my most recent letters in Sawdust. In the spring issue, I encouraged you to return to campus and see the fantastic renovations to our already beautiful campus. In the fall issue, I urged you to come to Homecoming 2015 and show your purple pride. In this issue, I want to talk to you about the great SFA happenings outside of Nacogdoches through participation in the Lumberjack Business Network.
The SFA Alumni Association successfully launched the Lumberjack Business Network breakfast program in the fall. The program is designed to give SFA alumni and friends the opportunity to gather before their busy workdays and network with fellow Lumberjacks.
The breakfasts are held from 7 to 8 a.m. in locations in Dallas and Houston. Before each event, there is time allotted for mixing and mingling followed by breakfast, during which a speaker presents on a local business topic. Then there is an additional opportunity to visit with your Lumberjack family.
The Lumberjack Business Network will serve as a centerpiece of the Alumni Association’s programing in 2016. The Dallas 2016 breakfasts are scheduled Jan. 19, April 19, July 12 and Oct. 11 at Maggiano’s Little Italy at NorthPark Center.
The Alumni Association will host the Lumberjack Business Network in Houston on March 8, May 10, Aug. 16 and Nov. 15 at Maggiano’s Little Italy near the Galleria.
Plans are underway to expand the breakfasts into other cities, and we also hope to offer similar networking events tailored to other professions, including teaching, nursing and forestry. We look forward to seeing you at a Lumberjack Business Network breakfast in the coming months.
If you were unable to return to Nacogdoches for Homecoming, let me to give you a quick recap. Homecoming weekend was held Oct. 30 and 31, and we celebrated with “A Haunted Homecoming” theme. Alumni Corner had “Jack-O-Ween” fun for kids of all ages, including games, giveaways, face painting, photo booths and more.
The only damper on the weekend (pun intended) was a little Saturday morning precipitation. For the first time in as long as I can remember, the Homecoming parade was rained out. However, the weekend was still a purple-pumpkin-smashing success.
It’s finally basketball season, Jack Fans! SFA has had many memorable basketball seasons, and we are excited to see what the Ladyjacks and Lumberjacks do this spring. Fingers are crossed that SFA will participate in more tournaments, including March Madness. Be on the lookout for Alumni Association watch parties hosted in your area.
Great things continue to happen at SFA! If you are in East Texas, stop by the campus and see for yourself. If you cannot make it to Nacogdoches but live in the Dallas or Houston areas, come to a Lumberjack Business Network breakfast. And, wherever you are, you can keep up with our great university on social media. “Like” the SFA Alumni Association on Facebook, and follow SFA Alumni on Twitter.
Axe ’em, Jacks!
Karen Gregory Gantt '95 - McKinney, Texas
President, SFA Alumni Association