NACOGDOCHES, TEXAS - While composers from across the state are meeting at Stephen F. Austin State University Friday, Feb. 20, and Saturday, Feb. 21, for the 2009 Conference of the Texas Chapter of The National Association of Composers, USA, East Texans can attend any of the four concerts included on the conference program.

"This is an opportunity for our local audience to hear world premieres by the state's top composers," said Stephen Lias, SFA associate professor of composition and director of the conference.

Recent works by Stephen F. Austin State University graduate art students will be included in the "SFA Graduate Student Show" that is opening at 6 p.m. Friday, Feb. 20, in Griffith Gallery on the SFA campus. Pictured above is a composite of works by seven of the artists.

NACOGDOCHES, TEXAS - Works by Stephen F. Austin State University graduate students will be exhibited in the "SFA Graduate Student Show" scheduled to open with a 6 p.m.

Ron Petti

NACOGDOCHES, TEXAS - Ron Petti, Stephen F. Austin State University director of accompanying, will present a faculty harpsichord and piano recital, "Favorites: Old and New," at 6 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 17, in Cole Concert Hall on the SFA campus.

NACOGDOCHES, TEXAS - Area 6- to 12-year-olds may register for an art class offered by the Stephen F. Austin State University School of Art from 2 to 4 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 28, at The Cole Art Center @ The Old Opera House, 329 E. Main Street in downtown Nacogdoches, as part of the Creative Art Saturday program.

All-region orchestra

Thirteen string students from the Music Preparatory Division of the Stephen F. Austin State University School of Music recently performed as part of the all-region middle and high school orchestras in the annual January concert in Tyler.

A program titled "Lest We Forget: Preserving African American Culture and History" will be held Feb. 26-28 in both Nacogdoches and Lufkin in celebration of African American History Month.

Dr. Severn Doughty

The Stephen F. Austin State University Mast Arboretum Les Reeves Lecture Series will host Dr. Severn Doughty, executive secretary of the Louisiana Nursery and Landscape Association, at 7 p.m. Feb. 19 in Room 110 of the Agriculture Building on Wilson Drive.

For the fourth consecutive reporting period, enrollment is on the rise at Stephen F. Austin State University. Student enrollment increased from 10,648 in spring 2008 to 11, 226, an increase of 5.4 percent.

State universities have kept a watchful eye on enrollment numbers during the past few semesters because funding from the state hangs in the balance, according to Dr. Baker Pattillo, SFA president. The spring semester is the final semester of the base-funding period, which determines university funding for the next two years.

Students from Stephen F. Austin State University recently competed in the J. Benton Storey Undergraduate Student Horticulture Judging Contest and brought home top awards. Pictured are, from left, Chris Capps, Cypress senior; Carnan Anderson, Bowie senior; Andrea Schroeder, Arlington senior; Rebecca Pledger, Brenham senior; and adviser Dr. Jeff Adkins.

A student team from Stephen F.