NACOGDOCHES, TX - The Office of Student Life at Stephen F. Austin State University and the Nacogdoches County United Way have teamed up to promote a one-day, volunteer extravaganza: "The BIG Event!"

The community-service day will take place Friday, April 24, when SFA students will gather to thank the community by helping out with dozens of volunteer projects.

Michael Preston, director of student life, said SFA has many reasons to thank the Nacogdoches community. "It is our hope that, for at least one day, we can help give some of that back," Preston said.

The Ralph W. Steen Library at Stephen F. Austin State University will observe special operating hours during the week of Easter. The library will be open from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Wednesday, April 8, and from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Thursday and Friday, April 9-10.

The library will be closed on Saturday, April 11, and will reopen and resume normal operating hours at 6 p.m. Sunday, April 12.

NACOGDOCHES, TEXAS - The Stephen F. Austin State University School of Art will open the 26th Annual Art Alliance Spring Student Art Show with a reception and awards presentation from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. Monday, April 6, in the Art Building Galleries off of Wilson Drive.

At 5:35 p.m., Dr. Scott Robinson, director of the School of Art, will announce the winners of the show and the recipients of the 2009-2010 art scholarships.

Competition cheer routines by the Stephen F. Austin State University Spirit Teams and squads from three other schools will be exhibited at 7 p.m. Friday in the Shelton Gym.

In addition to the SFA teams, Sam Houston State University, Trinity Valley Community College, Navarro Junior College and Crockett High School squads will perform their routines for the Daytona Nationals.

J.D. Salas, instructor of tuba and euphonium at Stephen F. Austin State University.

NACOGDOCHES, TEXAS - J.D. Salas, Stephen F. Austin State University instructor of tuba and euphonium, will present a faculty tuba recital at 7:30 p.m. Monday, April 6, in Cole Concert Hall on the SFA campus.

Jack Stamp, professor of music at Indiana University of Pennsylvania, will be the featured guest conductor and composer during the SFA Wind Ensemble's concert at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, April 7, in W.M. Turner Auditorium.

NACOGDOCHES, TEXAS - The SFA Wind Ensemble's concert at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, April 7, in W.M. Turner Auditorium will feature guest conductor and composer Jack Stamp, professor of music at Indiana University of Pennsylvania.

SFA Lumberjack mascot, Steven Staines.

NACOGDOCHES, Texas-For the first time ever, the Stephen F. Austin State University men's basketball team clinched a spot in the NCAA tournament, placing SFA basketball in the national spotlight. As the fans anxiously watched the game on the court, one person was a standout on the sidelines-the SFA Lumberjack mascot, Steven Staines.

The diversity of research at Stephen F. Austin State University will be highlighted during a public forum March 31. University Scholars have been chosen from each of SFA's colleges to present an interactive presentation, and University Finalists were selected to prepare poster presentations. The University Scholars selected will discuss their research topics in 15-minute interactive speeches.

SFA vocal students Adam Zuñiga and LaDonna Jackson rehearse a scene from Pietro Mascagani's one-act opera "Cavalleria Rusticana," which will be presented along with Giacomo Puccini's "Gianni Schicchi" at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, April 2, through Saturday, April 4, in W.M. Turner Auditorium.

NACOGDOCHES, TEXAS - The Stephen F. Austin State University College of Fine Arts and School of Music will present a double bill of two one-act operas at 7:30 p.m.

"Bank Companies," 2009 ceramic 9 inches by 10 inches by 10 inches David Fortner

NACOGDOCHES, TEXAS - Works by two Stephen F. Austin State University graduate students and artists from Center and Lufkin will be included in "TEXAS NATIONAL 2009," an annual juried show created by the SFA School of Art that will open at 5 p.m. Saturday, April 4, at The Cole Art Center @ The Old Opera House, located at 329 E. Main St.