NACOGDOCHES, Texas - More than 14,000 miles away in Bangalore, India, Stephen F. Austin State University graduate student Nandita Mehrotra puts the finishing touches on her thesis in preparation for its defense.

During the past few months, she has been studying patient-turnaround time at an outpatient cancer center in India and the role interior design plays in health care settings.

NACOGDOCHES, Texas - International experience and cultural exchange are at the heart of the biennial trip Stephen F. Austin State University theatre students make to Ireland every other June.

Visiting the sites of major events in Irish history, which is inextricably tied up in the country's dramatic tradition, is another key benefit. Throw in a lot of museum visits and theatre-going, and you have the makings of a once-in-a-lifetime learning experience, according to Dr. Richard Jones, professor of theatre in the SFA School of Theatre.

NACOGDOCHES, Texas - Stephen F. Austin State University's Nelson Rusche College of Business has announced former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush will serve as guest speaker for the college's inaugural Nelson Rusche Distinguished Lecture Series on Nov. 3.

NACOGDOCHES, Texas - Stephen F. Austin State University's SFA Gardens will host the monthly Theresa and Les Reeves Lecture Series at 7 p.m. Thursday, June 9, in the Ina Brundrett Conservation Education Building at the Pineywoods Native Plant Center, 2900 Raguet St. Greg Grant, research associate with the SFA Gardens' Pineywoods Native Plant Center, will present "Show Me Your Garden and I Shall Tell You What You Are: Twenty Years Creating One View."

NACOGDOCHES, Texas - Chad Huckaby of Martinsville has been appointed by Gov. Greg Abbott to serve as student regent on Stephen F. Austin State University's Board of Regents during the 2016-17 academic year.

Huckaby, who graduated from SFA in May 2015 with a Bachelor of Science in mathematics, is now pursuing a Master of Science in mathematical sciences at the university. He was named Mr. SFA during his senior year.

NACOGDOCHES, Texas - The addition of a crop science course into the core curriculum has accelerated the need to build a 7,200-square-foot, three-bay, gutter-connected greenhouse totaling $150,000 on the Stephen F. Austin State University campus at the Pineywoods Native Plant Center.

The new facility will provide the SFA Gardens with a much-needed area for plant production and student-driven research projects, said SFA Gardens Director Dr. David Creech, as well as assist horticulture and forestry students in obtaining real-world experience in an industry-standard greenhouse.

NACOGDOCHES, Texas - The Stephen F. Austin State University School of Art and the Friends of the Visual Arts will present a free, one-night screening of "The Unforeseen" at 7 p.m. Friday, June 3, in The Cole Art Center @ The Old Opera House in downtown Nacogdoches.

Directed by Laura Dunn, "The Unforeseen" is the 2007 documentary about the development around Barton Springs in Austin and how many citizens responded, fearing the degradation of Austin's emblematic "swimming hole" and the environment sustaining it.

NACOGDOCHES, Texas - The first recipient of a scholarship established in honor of Pat Spence, retired Stephen F. Austin State University director of student publications, was awarded recently to freshman journalism student Parastoo Nikravesh from Jacksonville, Texas.

NACOGDOCHES, Texas - Kindermusik Adventure Camps will be offered July 25 through 29 through the Music Preparatory Division of the Stephen F. Austin State University School of Music.

Camp sessions take place at the Music Prep House, 3028 Raguet Street. Karen Greer, certified Kindermusik teacher, will teach two classes.

"Peekaboo, I Love You" is a class for newborns through 18 months of age with parents in attendance. The class will be held from 9:30 to 10 a.m. in the Music Prep Performance Hall. Tuition is $110. Home materials include a book, CD and duck.

NACOGDOCHES, Texas - Registration is underway for private summer FlexLessons through the Music Preparatory Division of the Stephen F. Austin State University School of Music.

Lessons are available for piano, guitar, harp, Suzuki violin, clarinet, French horn, flute, bassoon, trumpet, saxophone and more. Students may register for four, six or eight lessons for 30 minutes, 45 minutes or one hour. Teachers and students schedule the private lessons and take into account vacations.