Axe ’Em, Jacks!
Before the fall semester began, I had the opportunity to travel throughout the region with staff members and spend a few days visiting with alumni and current and prospective students during the SFA Road Show. Members of this caravan visited Houston, Dallas, Tyler and Austin to reconnect with alumni and promote the university.
It was wonderful to be out and about again after months of limited contact and conducting most meetings virtually due to COVID-19. I enjoyed speaking with past, present and future Lumberjacks at the TopGolf events in Houston and Dallas, the socials in Tyler and Austin, and showcasing our purple pride at SFA University Nights with the Houston Astros and Texas Rangers, where I threw out the ceremonial first pitch at both games. If you were in attendance, I hope you took the opportunity to display your "Axe 'em, Jacks" hand signal to show your Lumberjack pride to the thousands in attendance and those watching on television.
I am happy to share that SFA is 100% open this fall. We are back to holding classes on campus, and our residence halls, campus dining, fine arts and athletic events are in full swing.
Homecoming this year will be Saturday, Oct. 30, and I am hopeful we will see many of you at the bonfire, Homecoming Parade, Lumberjack football game, tailgate and myriad other events taking place during Homecoming week.
If you're on campus for Homecoming, or any other activity, you'll notice some changes taking place, as renovations to the Griffith Fine Arts Building are steadily moving forward, and construction at the Loddie Naymola Basketball Performance Center is nearing completion. I am eager to once again attend fine arts and athletic events this fall, and I encourage you to purchase your tickets and join me and your fellow Lumberjacks.
What a difference we are seeing as our campus once again is vibrant, bustling and busy with students. As I celebrate my two-year anniversary as president of SFA, I am thankful we are able to share the full Lumberjack experience with them. As many of you will recall from your time at SFA, there’s nothing quite like being able to walk around this beautiful campus. I'm planning to do much more of that myself this fall, and I look forward to hopefully seeing many of you as I do!
Axe 'em, Jacks!
Dr. Scott Gordon
President
Stephen F. Austin State University