The annual Gala presented by Stephen F. Austin State University will be held Saturday, Dec. 11, in the Grand Ballroom of the Baker Pattillo Student Center. Proceeds from the Gala help build a permanent endowment created by the SFA Foundation to honor faculty achievement.

The opening reception begins at 6 p.m. and will be followed by a candlelight dinner at 7 p.m. Entertainment will be provided by the Tom Houston Combo and by Dallas-based entertainers TOP, playing a variety of smooth jazz, Motown, disco, oldies and today's hits.

NACOGDOCHES, TEXAS - The Stephen F. Austin State University School of Art will offer a gingerbread house making workshop for area first through eighth graders from 4 to 6 p.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 1, as part of the Creative Art Wednesday program. The class will be held at the SFA Art Education Graduate House, located at 115 Feazell St., behind Wendy's Restaurant.

Participants will work in groups, with each group creating a gingerbread house that can be entered into the Nine Flags Festival Gingerbread Homes for the Holidays Contest.

Central Heights Elementary students from last year's handbell performance are, from left, Tucker Reid, C.J. Tearnow, Amber Perry, Cade Watson, Rowan Saunders, Jade Wheeler, Nicholas George, Tori Fenton, Shyanne Hardy, Briana Miller, Alexis Dee and Armando Gallegas

The Central Heights Elementary handbell choir will perform at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 30, at the Stone Fort Museum on the campus of Stephen F. Austin State University

NCAA FCS playoffs announcement

NACOGDOCHES, Texas - The Southland Conference Champion Stephen F. Austin Lumberjack football team will be hosting defending National Champion Villanova in the second round of the NCAA FCS playoffs announced ESPNU Sunday morning. It marks the first time in program history the Lumberjacks (9-2/6-1 SLC) have won back-to-back conference titles.

NACOGDOCHES, TEXAS - Art galleries operated by the Stephen F. Austin State University School of Art will be closed Wednesday, Nov. 24, through Friday, Nov. 26, for the Thanksgiving holidays.

The Cole Art Center @ The Old Opera House will be open as usual on Saturday, Nov. 27, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Currently on display in the downstairs Ledbetter Gallery at The Cole Art Center is "Fabric of African Culture," an exhibition that includes African textiles, artifacts, sculptures and ceremonial articles spanning 500 years. The show runs through Saturday, Jan. 15.

SFA British exchange student Iggy Scott, who plays the new secretary in "How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying," is admired by the men who work for the World Wide Wicket Company.

SFA British exchange student Iggy Scott, who plays the new secretary in "How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying," is admired by the men who work for the World Wide Wicket Company.

Harpsichordist Geneva Fung (left) and flutist Christina Guenther, both of the SFA School of Music, will present a recital of sonatas by Johann Sebastian Bach at 7:30 p.m. Monday, Nov. 22, in Cole Concert Hall on the SFA campus.

NACOGDOCHES, TEXAS - Flutist Christina Guenther and harpsichordist Geneva Fung, both members of the Stephen F.

Steve Lippia, a much sought-after vocalist, will present "Simply Sinatra Christmas" as part of the SFA College of Fine Arts' University Series at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Dec. 17, in W.M. Turner Auditorium. Tickets are currently on sale for all of the holiday events offered by the college in December.

NACOGDOCHES, TEXAS - "Simply Sinatra Christmas" starring vocalist Steve Lippia and G.F.

Dr. Darrel McDonald, left, was presented a distinguished alumni award by Dr. Janie Park, president of Chadron State College.

Dr. Darrel L. McDonald, professor of geospatial sciences at Stephen F. Austin State University, recently received a distinguished alumni award from Chadron State College in Nebraska.