I can’t believe the fall semester — my first at SFA — is already drawing to a close.
Since my arrival in Nacogdoches, I have listened to as many people as possible about their hopes for SFA’s future. I have learned about so many wonderful things happening at SFA, and I am filled with optimism about what lies ahead. I also have been touched by the warm welcome and support from faculty, staff, students, alumni and community members. You made my arrival at SFA as warm as the summer sun!
I have been most impressed with the way current and former Lumberjacks find opportunities to support the university by proudly wearing purple, encouraging prospective students to attend SFA, participating in on-campus and alumni programs, and making financial contributions to a variety of campus initiatives, including building projects and scholarships.
I understand that achievements occurring throughout this past year have added to the reasons Lumberjacks are proud of their alma mater. For example, business students studied in Austria, Germany and Italy this summer, while theatre and dance students visited Scotland to perform as part of the Edinburgh Festival Fringe. You can read more about that trip in this issue of Sawdust.
Other achievements include:
- In October, the SFA Charter School received American Psychological Association accreditation as an internship training site.
- A Hogg Foundation grant is providing real-world experiences for SFA students while addressing the mental health needs of the local community.
- The university is offering new academic programs in a variety of areas, including construction management, medical humanities, and private security and asset protection.
- SFA’s Phi Beta Lambda business students were among the top award recipients at a statewide leadership conference.
- Music student Jesse Edwards’ original orchestral score was a top award winner in a prestigious national competition.
- Forestry students won the Southern Forestry Conclave competition, as well as a statewide quiz bowl, and
- Dr. Mark Sanders, associate dean of liberal and applied arts, received a Western Heritage Award.
Among my most memorable experiences during the past few months was the honor of celebrating the 10th anniversary of the Janice A. Pattillo Early Childhood Research Center and the dedication of a flagpole at that facility in memory of former SFA President Dr. Baker Pattillo. The center is a jewel for SFA, the region and the state.
Another day that stands out is my first Battle of the Piney Woods football game. I was impressed with the way our team fought and look forward to the future of Lumberjack football.
Although spring is still several months away, I am looking forward to welcoming Archie McDonald Speaker Series guest Kendra Scott, an Austin-based fashion designer and philanthropist, April 20.
As we move forward to 2020, I am eager to see the construction continue on campus. At the corner of East College Street and University Drive, a new basketball performance facility is under construction at Johnson Coliseum. Plans are underway for the expansion of the Griffith Fine Arts Building, the addition of a centralized welcome center and one-stop shop for student support services, a new first-year residence hall, and a renovated dining hall.
Another exciting project is a renovation that will allow the Culinary Café to move to a historic home on Mound Street, previously owned by former U.S. Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison. These exciting developments will give Lumberjacks even more reasons to be proud as we look forward to celebrating the university’s centennial anniversary.
As we prepare to say goodbye to 2019, I would like to thank you for the welcome my family and I have received. While counting my blessings this holiday season, I certainly will be thinking of the many wonderful friendships we have already made and looking forward to establishing many more. I wish all of you a happy and gratitude-filled holiday season.
Axe ’em, Jacks!
Scott Gordon
President, Stephen F. Austin State University