NACOGDOCHES, Texas — With standing mixers at the ready, teams of Stephen F. Austin State University students eagerly await the signal to kick off their competition. Three, two, one, and the students are off mixing ingredients to be the first to make whipped cream.

Recently, representatives from Dairy Max, a nonprofit dairy council representing dairy farm families across Texas, Oklahoma, New Mexico and Southwest Kansas, spoke to students enrolled in principles of food science courses in SFA’s School of Human Sciences.

NACOGDOCHES, Texas – The Stone Fort Wind Quintet at Stephen F. Austin State University will perform at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, March 27, in Cole Concert Hall.

The faculty recital is a feature of the SFA School of Music’s Calliope Concert Series. The quintet includes music faculty members Charles Gavin, horn; Christopher Ayer, clarinet; Kerry Hughes, oboe; Christina Guenther, flute; and Lee Goodhew, bassoon.

NACOGDOCHES, Texas — Dr. Jennifer Arnold, medical director for the Simulation Center at Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital in St. Petersburg, Florida, and television personality on The Learning Channel’s docu-drama “The Little Couple” will headline the 2018 installment of the Archie McDonald Speaker Series at Stephen F. Austin State University.

Arnold, who is board certified in neonatal medicine, earned her medical degree in 2000 from Johns Hopkins School of Medicine in Baltimore, Maryland, and later attended a Pediatric Residency Program at Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh.

NACOGDOCHES, Texas — Future college students will have the opportunity to experience a taste of campus life during a free, action-packed open-house Saturday, March 24, at Stephen F. Austin State University in Nacogdoches.

Prospective students can visit with university faculty and staff members, tour the campus and residence halls, and preview academic programs during the SFA Showcase Saturday event.

NACOGDOCHES, Texas — Stephen F. Austin State University ranks as one of the top 50 universities in the nation for its Bachelor of Business Administration in economics, according to Best College Reviews.

An organization dedicated to helping students discover the best college for them, Best College Reviews utilizes college rankings, reviews, blogs and informational graphics to educate potential students.

NACOGDOCHES, Texas – The Music Preparatory Division of the School of Music at Stephen F. Austin State University has announced the addition of Alba Madrid to its staff of exceptionally talented music educators.

Madrid will teach violin and viola lessons at the Music Prep House, located at 3028 Raguet St. With a bachelor’s degree in music and computer science and a master’s degree in music from the University of Southern Mississippi, Madrid has extensive experience as a teacher and orchestra director, according to Pat Barnett, director of the Music Prep Division.

NACOGDOCHES, Texas — The Gulf Coast Regional Blood Center named Stephen F. Austin State University “College of the Year” in recognition of the university’s role in increasing blood donations. The award was presented at the center’s recent Celebration of Life ceremony in Houston.

Colleges and universities within the blood center’s 26 partner counties were considered for the “College of the Year” title.

NACOGDOCHES, Texas – The Stephen F. Austin State University School of Music will present a faculty recital featuring Scott LaGraff, baritone, and Hyun Ji Oh, pianist, at 7:30 p.m. Friday, March 23, in Cole Concert Hall on the SFA campus.

LaGraff will perform works by some of his favorite composers along with selections from his latest CD, "Incline Thine Ear and Other Sacred Songs." Kimberly LaGraff, mezzo soprano, will join her husband for selected duets.

The Stephen F. Austin State University School of Theatre will present the one-act play "Haiku" at 7:30 p.m. Friday, March 23, and at 2 and 7:30 p.m. Saturday, March 24, in the Downstage Theatre on the SFA campus.

Written by Katherine Snodgrass, "Haiku" will be directed by Houston senior theatre major Tevia Loeser. The play is about a mother's love, one sister's struggle with doing what is right and another sister who may be gifted a artist with an impaired mind. "Haiku" won the Heideman Award at Actors Theatre of Louisville.

Stephen F. Austin State University's SFA Gardens will host its annual Garden Gala Day Plant Sale and SFA Earth Day Celebration from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, April 7, at the Pineywoods Native Plant Center, 2900 Raguet St., in historic Nacogdoches.