NACOGDOCHES, Texas — During one of the last cool mornings in May, an aluminum boat filled with four Stephen F. Austin State University researchers navigated a muddy waterway to a hoop net trap located under the drooping limbs of a streamside tree. As forestry graduate student David Rosenbaum balanced on the bow of the boat and hoisted the trap above the water, Dr. Christopher Schalk, assistant professor of forest wildlife management, released a shout of excitement as the wide, spiked, moss-covered shell of an alligator snapping turtle became visible.

NACOGDOCHES, Texas – The Alazan Trio at Stephen F Austin State University will perform romantic piano trios when the faculty ensemble presents a recital at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Sept. 8, in Cole Concert Hall on the SFA campus.

Comprised of School of Music faculty members Jennifer Dalmas, violin; Evgeni Raychev, cello; and Ron Petti, piano, the trio will perform the music of German composers Clara Schumann and Johannes Brahms.

Formed in 2005, the Alazan Trio has typically performed and promoted music primarily by American composers, according to Dalmas.

NACOGDOCHES, Texas – The Children’s Performing Arts Series at Stephen F. Austin State University will once again bring fun, educational shows that entertain and inform East Texas youngsters.

The series, presented by the College of Fine Arts, features five nationally touring shows designed to engage audiences of all ages. Careful consideration is given to show topics, which always include teachable classroom elements, according to Diane Peterson, Fine Arts Box Office manager and director of the series.

NACOGDOCHES, Texas – The Stephen F. Austin State University College of Fine Arts will open its 2017-18 University Series with a performance of New York City-based dance company Taylor 2 at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 14, in W.M. Turner Auditorium on the SFA campus.

A younger sibling to the Paul Taylor Dance Company, Taylor 2 brings the work of the modern dance world’s leading choreographer to life for audiences of all backgrounds. At 87, Taylor is the last working member of the generation of luminaries that launched modern dance in America.

NACOGDOCHES, Texas — Nineteen family nurse practitioner students from across Texas visited the Stephen F. Austin State University DeWitt School of Nursing Building last week for the first Master of Science in Nursing program orientation in the university’s history.

The new online program makes it easier for East Texas nurses to access graduate nursing education while providing much-needed primary care to citizens of Deep East Texas.

NACOGDOCHES, Texas – Stephen F. Austin State University’s Annual School of Art Faculty Exhibition will open with a reception from 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 14, in The Cole Art Center @ The Old Opera House in downtown Nacogdoches.

Each year, the faculty exhibition features a wide variety of artworks in ceramics, sculpture, photography, painting, prints, metals and mixed media, according to John Handley, director of SFA art galleries.

NACOGDOCHES, Texas – The sale of notecards and postcards featuring images depicting Nacogdoches’ history, beauty and artistry continues to benefit art scholarships through a fundraiser organized by the Friends of the Visual Arts at Stephen F. Austin State University.

Local photographers provided the images for the eight different designs featured on the 5-by-4½-inch notecards with envelopes and the 4-by-6-inch postcards that are available for purchase at The Cole Art Center @ The Old Opera House in downtown Nacogdoches.

NACOGDOCHES, Texas – “Fragmentation: The Lithographs of Wayne Kimball” will open Thursday, Sept. 14, in Griffith Gallery on the Stephen F. Austin State University campus.

The exhibition features finely detailed lithographs on paper.

NACOGDOCHES, Texas — In support of individuals who have been impacted by Hurricane Harvey, Stephen F. Austin State University and various on-campus organizations are collecting donations to aid in relief efforts. Donations are being transported to Drewery Construction, the Nacogdoches company that is making daily deliveries to shelters in affected areas.

NACOGDOCHES, Texas – Almost 200 donors participated in a blood drive Thursday at Stephen F. Austin State University to benefit people impacted as a result of Hurricane Harvey. Due to overwhelming response, a second blood drive is now scheduled.

“We were able to take donations from 193 people,” said Collin Rutherford, SFA graduate student and Leadership and Service Programs representative. “We have 48 already signed up to donate next Thursday, Sept. 7. The cooperation of the staff and generosity of the students made this one of the best blood drives we've seen.”