NACOGDOCHES, Texas - Dr. Harry Downing, professor and chair of the Department of Physics and Astronomy, has been named the 2013-14 Stephen F. Austin State University Regents Professor.

Reserved for exemplary role models to the university community, the title of Regents Professor is the highest honor SFA bestows upon members of the faculty. The title is held for one full academic year.

NACOGDOCHES, Texas - Researchers at Stephen F. Austin State University have filed for patent protection for "Purple Pride," a new type of Chickasaw Plum tree known for its purple fruit and foliage.

At a meeting Tuesday, the Board of Regents authorized agreements with several nurseries interested in selling SFA's new cultivar of Prunus angustifolia. A portion of the proceeds from the sale of "Purple Pride" will be returned to the university.

Representatives of the Stephen F. Austin State University Horseman's Association utilize the covered arena at the SFA Equine Center for university and public use including curriculum, horsemanship clinics and day-to-day operations. Pictured, from left, are Mary Helen Herman, Andrea Routzon, Brandi Baker, equine center manager, Faith Skinner and Jordan Blank.

The Stephen F.

James H. Dickerson

NACOGDOCHES, Texas - Stephen F. Austin State University alumnus James H. Dickerson of New Braunfels, a former member of the SFA Board of Regents, will offer the commencement address during spring graduation ceremonies on May 11.

NACOGDOCHES, TEXAS - The SFA Bands will present the annual "Concert in the Park" beginning at 2 p.m. Sunday, April 28, on the lawn in front of the Wright Music Building on the Stephen F. Austin State University campus.

All four concert bands will perform, according to Fred J. Allen, director of bands at SFA. A highlight of the concert will be the induction of SFA alumnus Jim C. Jones into the SFASU Band Directors' Hall of Fame.

NACOGDOCHES, TEXAS - The SFA Wind Ensemble will present a concert titled "Politics and Power" at 7:30 p.m. Monday, April 29, in W.M. Turner Auditorium on the Stephen F. Austin State University campus.

"These pieces of music represent the struggle of man versus political power," said Fred J. Allen, director of bands.

NACOGDOCHES, TEXAS - Three separate initiatives within the Stephen F. Austin State University College of Fine Arts are being made possible with funding provided through the Cole Annuity Fund.

The fund is helping to send three School of Music faculty members to Australia in May to foster an existing exchange program in Tasmania and pursue an opportunity for establishing a similar program in Sydney.

NACOGDOCHES, TEXAS - The works of five advanced student playwrights in the School of Theatre at Stephen F. Austin State University will be presented at 7 p.m. Monday through Friday, April 29 through May 3, in the Upstage Theatre in the Griffith Fine Arts Building on the SFA campus.

NACOGDOCHES, TEXAS - The Festival of New American Plays at Stephen F. Austin State University continues to feed new works into the mainstream of American theatre. Many of the plays, which were first developed at the SFA School of Theatre, have had continued success elsewhere.