NACOGDOCHES, TEXAS - Scholarship applications are now being accepted for music instruction through the Stephen F. Austin State University Music Preparatory Division. The partial tuition scholarships are awarded on the basis of need and can be applied to private lessons or group instruction.

Application forms are available on the division's Web site, www.music.sfasu.edu/prep, or may be picked up in the SFA School of Music Office located in Room 150 of the Wright Music Building.

Attendees at the recent "12 x 12" fund-raiser view some of the 50 artworks created by local artists that were for sale. The event raised over $4,000 for the SFA Friends of the Visual Arts' scholarship fund.

NACOGDOCHES, TEXAS - The SFA Friends of the Visual Arts has announced that their recent "12 x 12" fund-raiser brought in over $4,000, which will be used for scholarships benefiting SFA visual arts students.

NACOGDOCHES, Texas - A new director for the Stephen F. Austin State University School of Music was among the staff and faculty appointments approved by the Board of Regents at its regular meeting Tuesday.

Dr. John N. Roberts assumed his new duties July 15, replacing longtime School of Music director Ron Anderson who has returned to full-time teaching. Roberts, a pianist, was formerly the Callaway Professor of Music at Mercer University in Georgia.

NACOGDOCHES, Texas - The Stephen F. Austin State University Board of Regents at its regular meeting Tuesday approved an operating budget of $212.9 million for the 2009-10 fiscal year, along with a capital budget totaling approximately $9.9 million.

The capital budget will fund extensive renovations to the Chemistry Building totaling approximately $6 million. Improvements to Kennedy Auditorium, campus entrance signage, several residence halls and other university facilities also are included.

Early Childhood Research Center ribbon-cutting

Current and former members of Stephen F. Austin State University's Board of Regents participate in a ribbon-cutting ceremony for the Early Childhood Research Center Sunday in Nacogdoches. Pictured are, from left, former Regent Kenneth James, Regent Bob Garrett, former Student Regent Stephanie Tracy, Student Regent Morgan Tomberlain, Regents Richard Boyer and Melvin White, former Regent James I.

Mindy Sue Meyers' soft sculpture "Cupcakes" will be included in "Eats & Treats," an exhibition the SFA College of Fine Arts and School of Art will open at 6 p.m. Friday, July 17, at The Cole Art Center @ The Old Opera House in downtown Nacogdoches. The exhibition will run through Saturday, Aug. 29.

NACOGDOCHES, TEXAS - Artists Mindy Sue Meyers and Mark Menjivar will be present for the opening of "Eats & Treats," at 6 p.m.

Early Childhood Research Center

NACOGDOCHES, Texas - Stephen F. Austin State University will celebrate the opening of its new Early Childhood Research Center on July 19 with a ribbon-cutting ceremony, children's singing performances and public tours of the $30.8 million one-of-a-kind facility.

NACOGDOCHES, TEXAS - Parents of newborns through 7-year-olds can still register their children for any of the Kindermusik Adventure Camps offered by the Stephen F. Austin State University Music Preparatory Division Monday, July 27, through Friday, July 31.

Karen Greer and Erin Stephens Tang, certified and licensed Kindermusik teachers, will offer four different age-appropriate classes in which parents and children will play, learn, sing, dance, create and share in the fun of making music together, said Pat Barnett, director of the Music Preparatory Division.