NACOGDOCHES, Texas — When Rachel Rucker was a top student at Jersey Village High School in Houston, she attended the Undergraduate Research Conference, an annual event that honors Stephen F. Austin State University’s brightest from all six of its colleges.

Watching older collegians present their work in front of their families, professors and peers, it all seemed so impressive and unobtainable. The thought crossed the teenager’s mind: How do I get from where I am to where they are?

That question has finally been answered.

After a months-long effort, the Stephen F. Austin State University Board of Regents approved negotiations with a new food service provider for the campus.

With objectives that include reimagining or replacing SFA’s East College Cafeteria and contributing to student satisfaction and enrollment growth, regents heard presentations by representatives with the current food service provider, Aramark, as well as competitors Chartwells Higher Education Dining Services and Sodexo.

The Stephen F. Austin State University Board of Regents honored a longtime psychology professor with the designation of Regents Scholar for the 2021-22 academic year.

Dr. Mark Ludorf holds a doctorate in experimental psychology with a specialization in cognition from the University of Kansas, and his research interests include attention, memory, leadership, applied statistics/methodology and technology applications in higher education. He joined the SFA faculty in 1991.

NACOGDOCHES, Texas – The Stephen F. Austin State University School of Theatre opens Jane Martin’s “Talking With …” at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, April 20, in Kennedy Auditorium on the SFA campus for in-person audience performances and virtual performances. Pictured is SFA theatre student Cameron Wall of El Campo in “Rodeo,” one of several monologues in the play that features idiosyncratic characters who amuse, move, frighten and always speak from the depths of their souls.

NACOGDOCHES, Texas – Metalworking and jewelry students from Stephen F. Austin State University, Dallas College, New Mexico State University and the University of Texas at El Paso collaborated in a semester-long technical process to create and trade metal brooches.

Practicing the historical process of lost wax casting, the students created original designs by carving wax, according to Lauren Selden, professor of metal/jewelry at SFA. The project was designed to help students learn to problem solve, be persistent and work in a condensed time frame.

NACOGDOCHES, Texas — Two student groups​ in Stephen F. Austin State University’s Department of​ Kinesiology and Health Science are hosting the Move and Groove 5K at 5 p.m. May 5 beginning in front of​ the HPE Complex on campus.

SFA’s Organization of Athletic Training Students and Chi Tau Epsilon dance​ honor society are holding this 5K for the first time, but​ the students hope to make it an annual event, most likely during the fall semester.

NACOGDOCHES, Texas — The Pantry, Stephen F. Austin State University’s on-campus resource to help students in need, recently added baby supplies to its shelves with help from SFA’s Organization for Women's Leadership and Equity.

“We learned last fall that there was a need for baby-related items in the food pantry on campus, but those were not being stocked,” said Dr. Heather Olson Beal, OWLE faculty co-chair and a professor of education studies.

NACOGDOCHES, Texas – The Symphony Orchestra at Stephen F. Austin State University will perform works by Ludwig van Beethoven, Felix Mendelssohn and Jean Sibelius when the ensemble performs at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, April 29, in Cole Concert Hall on the SFA campus.

Conducted by Dr. Gregory Grabowski, director of orchestral activities for the SFA School of Music, the Symphony Orchestra’s centerpiece of the concert will be Beethoven’s Piano Concerto No. 5 “Emperor,” a work Grabowski specifically chose to feature Dr. Andrew Parr, professor of piano at SFA.

NACOGDOCHES, Texas – The Stephen F. Austin State University School of Music will present its Concert in the Park at 2 p.m. Sunday, April 25, in the wooded area between Wright Music Building and the Baker Pattillo Student Center on campus.

The outdoor concert, featuring all SFA wind bands, is a community favorite but was canceled last year because of COVID-19.

NACOGDOCHES, Texas – The Stephen F. Austin State University School of Art will host the SFA Art Alliance 2021 Spring Show digitally this year, and the exhibition can be viewed at www.sfaart.weebly.com.

Selected entries can be viewed on the main monitor in the Art Building with 36 pieces selected for the show from more than 200 entries by SFA students. The show is open to all students.