NACOGDOCHES, Texas –– A three-student cohort represented Stephen F. Austin State University at the 12th University Scholars Leadership Symposium in August at the United Nations Conference Centre in Bangkok, Thailand. This marks the first time SFA students have participated in the symposium.

Facilitated through SFA’s Office of International Programs, Oscar Sanchez, Brianna Patterson and Mackenzie Damon joined fellow students from around the world in Thailand to gain tools and confidence to tackle some of the world’s most pressing issues.

NACOGDOCHES, Texas –– Stephen F. Austin State University’s Office of the Provost has been awarded a $250,000 grant from the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board that aims to enhance the academic performance, retention and graduation rates of nursing students.

SFA was selected out of 26 institutions across Texas to receive the competitive Student Success Acceleration Program 2.0 grant, “Accelerating Nursing Students' Success.” This program aligns with state and national efforts to address the critical shortage of registered nurses.

NACOGDOCHES, Texas –– Stephen F. Austin State University’s Center for Applied Research and Rural Innovation will host the Fall Faculty Showcase to highlight faculty research projects funded by CARRI grants. The event will take place from 5 to 6:30 p.m. Oct. 15 in the Brundrett Conservation Education Building at the Pineywoods Native Plant Center.

NACOGDOCHES, Texas –– Stephen F. Austin State University’s Rusche College of Business recently awarded the inaugural Sanner-Berry Business Professorship to Dr. Justin Blount, professor in the Department of Business Communication and Legal Studies. The new professorship was created through an endowment by Christine “Chris” Sanner Berry and James “Jim” Berry, both 1985 graduates of SFA.

NACOGDOCHES, Texas –– Stephen F. Austin State University’s School of Art and the Friends of the Visual Arts will present a free, one-night screening of the classic comedy/horror film “Gremlins” at 7 p.m. Friday, Oct 4, at The Cole Art Center @ The Old Opera House.

The Friday Films Committee selected “Gremlins” to celebrate the film’s 40th anniversary and kick off the spooky season.

NACOGDOCHES, Texas –– Olivia Ajero, student in Stephen F. Austin State University’s Music Preparatory Division and daughter of Dr. Mario and Gina Ajero, SFA professor of piano pedagogy and assistant to the dean of SFA’s College of Liberal and Applied Arts, respectively, will be among this fall’s featured performers on National Public Radio’s “From The Top.” The program showcases the music, stories and unique humor of America’s young classical musicians. 

NACOGDOCHES, Texas –– The public is invited to celebrate 65 years of the Humane Society of Nacogdoches County at an exhibit hosted by Stephen F. Austin State University’s East Texas Research Center. The exhibit’s opening is scheduled from 3 to 5 p.m. Oct. 11 on the second floor of the Steen Library on campus.

NACOGDOCHES, Texas –– Stephen F. Austin State University has been ranked the No. 1 regional public school in Texas and No. 18 in the Regional Universities West category in the newly released 2025 U.S. News & World Report Best Colleges rankings. SFA is tied for the top state spot with the University of North Texas.

NACOGDOCHES, Texas –– Stephen F. Austin State University’s Department of Earth Sciences and Geologic Resources will host an Earth Science Day event from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Oct. 12 in the Cole STEM Building atrium.

NACOGDOCHES, Texas –– Stephen F. Austin State University’s Wind Symphony and Symphonic Band will perform “The Music of Joel Puckett,” featuring the music of composer-in-residence Joel Puckett, professor and chair of music theory, ear training and keyboard skills at John Hopkins University’s Peabody Institute.

The concert is at 7:30 p.m. Oct. 8 in the Griffith Fine Arts Building’s Turner Auditorium. Puckett will complete a residency at SFA that will culminate with this concert in which he will attend.