NACOGDOCHES, Texas -- Newly sworn-in Texas Secretary of State Carlos Cascos spoke to Stephen F. Austin State University economics students Wednesday about the strengths and challenges of Texas and the importance of understanding their community.

Appointed by Gov. Greg Abbott shortly after his election in November, Cascos spoke to the class of approximately 100 students during a stop on a statewide tour. Cascos said the tour was to learn more about the different areas of Texas while educating residents about local, state and federal issues.

NACOGDOCHES, Texas - Students participating in Stephen F. Austin State University's Mast Student Investment Roundtable are proving they have what it takes to be top-notch financial portfolio managers.

The group, comprising 15 SFA students who have demonstrated exemplary performance in specific investment courses, won first place in the competition's growth category at the ENGAGE International Investment Education Symposium held in March.

NACOGDOCHES, Texas - The Stephen F. Austin State University Stone Fort Museum will present the inaugural Cum Concilio Club Heritage Preservation Award, honoring those who are dedicated to preserving Nacogdoches and its history.

NACOGDOCHES, Texas - Stephen F. Austin State University has been recognized for its commitment to educating all students - regardless of physical challenges - with the 2014 Desire2Excel Award for Accessibility.

The award is presented by D2L, a global leader in educational technology and the creator of Brightspace, an integrated learning platform used by SFA faculty members and students. The company lauded SFA for demonstrating how such partnerships and technology can make education available to more learners.

NACOGDOCHES, Texas - The Stephen F. Austin State University School of Theatre will present the student-directed "Springtime" at 7:30 p.m. Friday, April 17, and at 2 and 7:30 p.m. Saturday, April 18, in the Downstage Theatre on the SFA campus.

Center Point senior Sloan Frierson directs this one-act play by Cuban-American avant garde playwright María Irene Fornés about the eternal story of love and betrayal. The cast includes Dallas sophomore Dominique Rider as Ray; Beaumont freshman Kate Shirley as Greta; and Lake Dallas sophomore Andrea Nelson as Rainbow.

NACOGDOCHES, Texas - Renowned saxophonist Shelley Carrol will appear with the Swingin' Axes when the jazz ensemble and the Swingin' Aces perform at 7:30 p.m. Friday, April 17, in Cole Concert Hall on the Stephen F. Austin State University campus.

NACOGDOCHES, Texas -The annual spring concert of Stephen F. Austin State University's Steel Band will feature pop tunes from "then and now," according to Dr. Brad Meyer, director of percussion studies at SFA.

The concert, slated for 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, April 15, in Cole Concert Hall on the university campus, will include such popular songs as "Take on Me," "Margaritaville," "Locked Out of Heaven," "Africa" and "Come on Eileen."

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 "Mile… Mile & A Half" at 7 p.m. Friday, April 17, in The Cole Art Center @ The Old Opera House in downtown Nacogdoches.

NACOGDOCHES, Texas - Two of the major performing ensembles at Stephen F. Austin State University will combine forces in a special concert at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, April 14, in Cole Concert Hall on the SFA campus.

Select members of the SFA Wind Ensemble and the A Cappella Choir will perform the Mass in E Minor by Anton Bruckner.