NACOGDOCHES, Texas - The poetry of Stephen F. Austin State University theater major Ashe Vernon was recently published through Words Dance Publishing, and Vernon's book, "Belly of the Beast," will be celebrated with a reception at 7 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 21, in The Cole Art Center @ The Old Opera House in downtown Nacogdoches.

Vernon, a senior from Spring, will read selections from her collection starting at 7:30 p.m., followed by a question-and-answer session. Copies of her book will be available for purchase at the event, and Vernon will be available to autograph them.

NACOGDOCHES, Texas -The Stephen F. Austin State University College of Fine Arts and School of Music will present pianist James Cho in a guest recital at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 19, in Cole Concert Hall on the SFA campus.

Currently on the piano faculty at Sam Houston State University, Cho was invited to present a recital of classical piano repertoire at SFA, according to Andrew Parr, professor of piano at SFA.

NACOGDOCHES, Texas - The Stephen F. Austin State University College of Fine Arts and School of Music will present percussionist Dr. Matthew McClung in a recital at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 18, in Cole Concert Hall on the SFA campus.

An associate professor of Music at Texas A&M University - Corpus Christi and the principal percussionist of the River Oaks Chamber Orchestra and the Glimmerglass Opera Festival, McClung will perform Steve Reich's "Marimba Phase" with special guest Dr. Brad Meyer, director of percussion studies at SFA.

NACOGDOCHES, Texas - Stephen F. Austin State University's SFA Gardens, in partnership with Nacogdoches Naturally, will host the Great Backyard Bird Count from 9 a.m. to noon Saturday, Feb. 14, at the Pineywoods Native Plant Center, 2900 Raguet St. in Nacogdoches.

This family outdoor event is designed to increase knowledge and appreciation of our feathered friends. A variety of family friendly, hands-on learning activities will be offered, including how to use binoculars, bird identification skills, Bird Olympics and bird-related crafts.

A performance by the Stephen F. Austin State University Repertory Dance Company at 7:30 p.m. Feb. 13 and at 3 p.m. February 14 will feature works by SFA faculty members and works by guest artists from Texas and Mississippi.

NACOGDOCHES, Texas - This spring, the Arthur Temple College of Forestry and Agriculture, in partnership with Stephen F. Austin State University, will début a scholarly journal exploring the applications of geospatial technology in natural resource management.

The Journal of Geospatial Applications in Natural Resources will publish double-blind peer-reviewed articles that utilize geospatial technology to quantify, qualify, map, monitor and manage natural resources.

NACOGDOCHES, Texas - The Stephen F. Austin State University Debate Team will co-host the Pineywoods Swing Debate Tournament with fellow East Texas friends and rivals East Texas Baptist University at 11 a.m. Friday, Feb. 6.

The tournament, which will be held on SFA's campus, is scheduled to run throughout the weekend and will end Sunday afternoon with the championship round and awards presentation in the categories of novice, varsity and professional.

NACOGDOCHES, Texas - The Stephen F. Austin State University Wind Symphony and Symphonic Band will present a concert of "Classics: British and Otherwise" at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 10, in W.M. Turner Auditorium on the SFA campus.

NACOGDOCHES, Texas - Area students will learn that science can be fun and exciting when the Stephen F. Austin State University College of Fine Arts and the Children's Performing Arts Series present "Super Scientific Circus" in two performances Friday, Feb. 13, in W.M. Turner Auditorium.

The program, which targets students in kindergarten through 12th grade, is designed to "help students understand that science can be appreciated in everything we see and do," said Diane J. Peterson, SFA Fine Arts Box Office manager and director of the Children's Performing Arts Series.

Up to 20 freshman students at Stephen F. Austin State University with financial need will have the opportunity to receive a full scholarship, housing allowance and one-on-one tutoring through scholarships offered by one of the larger privately funded scholarship programs in the state.

The need-based scholarships will be awarded by the Smith-Hutson Scholarship program beginning in fall 2015 to students who demonstrate academic potential. The cumulative value of each scholarship is approximately $70,000.