Sarah Oliver, principal harpist of the Corpus Christi and Baton Rouge symphonies, is one of the many instructors offering private lessons through the SFA Music Preparatory Program. Registrations are now being accepted for spring classes.

NACOGDOCHES, TEXAS - Registrations are now being accepted for the spring classes offered through the Stephen F. Austin State University Music Preparatory Division.

NACOGDOCHES, TEXAS - Violin, viola and cello players from nine countries will be competing for $15,000 in prize money during the George and Peggy Schmidbauer Young Artist String Competition presented by the Stephen F. Austin State University School of Music Saturday, Jan. 22, and Sunday, Jan. 23.

"This is a wonderful opportunity for East Texans to hear some of the world's best young string players," said Gene H. Moon, director of orchestral studies at SFA and of the competition.

NACOGDOCHES, Texas - The Stephen F. Austin State University offices of Leadership and Service and Multicultural Affairs will hold the second annual MLK Day of Service beginning at 11 a.m. Monday, Jan. 17, in the Twilight Ballroom of the Baker Pattillo Student Center.

The theme of the event will be "What's Your Legacy?" and service projects will center on helping local nursing homes and senior centers. About 150 student volunteers are needed to help host events and interact with nursing home residents, and participants will receive a free lunch and event T-shirt.

NACOGDOCHES, TEXAS - As a part of its monthly independent film series, the Stephen F. Austin State University School of Art and Friends of the Visual Arts will present a free, one-night screening of "Helvetica" at 7 p.m. Friday, Jan. 7, at The Cole Art Center @ the Old Opera House, 329 E. Main St. in downtown Nacogdoches.

"A Wally Knight Sight" is one of the pieces included in "Naco Verde: Art from Recycled Materials," which will open at 6 p.m. Friday, Jan. 7, at The Cole Art Center @ The Old Opera House.

NACOGDOCHES, TEXAS - The Nacogdoches Art League will open "Naco Verde: Art from Recycled Materials" with a 6 p.m. reception on Friday, Jan. 7, at The Cole Art Center @ The Old Opera House, 329 E. Main St. in downtown Nacogdoches.

SFA-TV2, the Stephen F. Austin State University television station, will air holiday shows continuously Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. The programs were produced by students in Dr. Al Greule's advanced television-production course.

Apollo 12 astronaut Alan Bean, the fourth man to walk on the moon and an award-winning artist, will be the featured guest at the 2011 installment of the Archie McDonald Speaker Series at Stephen F. Austin State University.

The event is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. Thursday, April 14, in the Grand Ballroom of the Baker Pattillo Student Center on the SFA campus. Reserve tickets will go on sale early next year.

NACOGDOCHES, TEXAS - The Cole Art Center @ The Old Opera House, Stephen F. Austin State University's art gallery located in downtown Nacogdoches, will be closed for a portion of the university's semester break.

The Art Center will be open as usual from Tuesday, Dec. 20, through Thursday, Dec. 23, but then close until Tuesday, Jan. 4, except by appointment. Normal hours are 12:30 to 5 p.m., Tuesday through Friday, and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday.

Dr. Donald Gregory, professor emeritus of political science, will offer the commencement address during fall graduation ceremonies at Stephen F. Austin State University.

Gregory served on the SFA faculty for more than three decades. He began as an instructor in the Department of Political Science and eventually became chair of the department. He was named professor emeritus upon his retirement in 2004.