In Memoriam

Mark Burroughs Sr.

Mark Burroughs Sr., a 1979 graduate, passed away May 2. Burroughs attended SFA for three years where he earned degrees in history, business and political science, and served as student body president.

He went on to attend The University of Texas at Austin School of Law and received a Juris Doctor in 1982. Burroughs exemplified the highest standards of professionalism and dedication to his clients and his vocation as an attorney.

From 2008-14, Burroughs was elected mayor of the City of Denton. He was, at the time of his passing, board chair of the Medical City Denton Hospital board; Solutions of North Texas; Denton State Supported Living Center Volunteer Services Council; and Denton Public School Foundation. In his lifetime, he served on numerous boards and committees in North Texas.

Anne Commander

Anne Commander, former staff member, passed away Feb. 9. Commander retired from SFA where she was director of postal services and served as president of the National Association of College and University Mail Services. She enjoyed painting and learned to crochet and quilt from her mother and grandmother. She leaves behind numerous handmade quilts and Christmas stockings for her children and grandchildren.

Dr. Robert Eanes

Dr. Robert Eanes, former staff member, passed away Feb. 25. Eanes served twice in the Commissioned Corps of the U.S. Public Health Service in Atlanta, held teaching positions at the Medical College of Virginia in Richmond, and finally returned to Texas to "retire," only to return to work as a staff physician and later as director of SFA's medical services, from which he retired in 2007.

Dr. Michael Fountain

Dr. Michael Fountain, a 1970 and 1972 graduate and former forestry professor, passed away May 4. Fountain transferred to SFA in fall 1968 and completed his bachelor's and master's degrees in forestry. In 1977, he completed his doctoral degree at West Virginia University.

Inspired by his experience as a graduate teaching assistant at SFA and WVU, Fountain subsequently devoted his life to teaching forestry. He arrived at SFA in 1981 as an assistant professor, was promoted to associate professor in 1987 and to professor in 1993. He was eventually honored as the Laurence C. Walker Distinguished Professor in 2000. From 2000-09, he served as associate dean of the Arthur Temple College of Forestry and Agriculture, eventually retiring from SFA in 2010 after serving a final year in 2009 as the interim dean.

Fountain's proudest accomplishment was serving as faculty advisor to the Sylvans Forestry Club at SFA from 1981 until his retirement in 2010.

Terry Guinn

Terry Guinn, former professor of social work and 1962 graduate, passed away March 21. Guinn played a major role in the development of the Bachelor of Social Work and Master of Social Work programs at SFA. He was one of a few social workers in the area with a master's degree in social work and was a pioneer in social work practice and education in East Texas.

Guinn taught in the field education program for the department, providing knowledge and skill development while students completed their semester internships in a variety of agency-based settings. He was instrumental in the advocacy efforts to establish the MSW program and the pursuit of accreditation. For his support and involvement in developing the School of Social Work, Guinn was recognized for his leadership and commitment in advancing social work education and practice in East Texas and SFA with a service award.

Boyd Herndon

Boyd Herndon, a 1972 graduate and former professor, passed away Feb. 8. Herndon received a Bachelor of Business Administration in general business from SFA and a Juris Doctor from The University of Texas at Austin School of Law in 1975. He was an instructor of business law at SFA from 1975 to 1977.

Dr. Victor Hoff

Dr. Victor Hoff, former professor of biology, passed away March 21. In 1966, Hoff accepted a position in the Department of Biology at SFA and remained until his retirement in 1993 when he moved to Crockett with his wife.

Hoff designed his and his wife's computer software as needed, never purchasing from an outside source and also became very interested in astronomy, even builing his own telescope. Over the years, he became a stamp collector, a HAM radio operator, and avid fisherman. Hoff was a kind man who kept his mind active, never losing all that knowledge until his death.

Dr. Janie Kenner

Dr. Janie Kenner, a 1963 and 1982 graduate and former faculty member, passed away June 7. Kenner received both her bachelor's and master's degrees from SFA in home economics education. She earned a doctoral degree in textiles and clothing from Texas Woman's University in 1990. Her career at SFA spanned 30 years. Kenner received the College of Education Teaching Excellence Award in 2004, and the School of Human Sciences Teaching Excellence Award in 1997 and 2004. She was a member of the Phi Upsilon Omicron and Phi Kappa Phi honor societies and the SFA University Women's Club.

Dr. Gary Mayer

Dr. Gary Mayer, former professor of mass communication, passed away March 18. After 27 years of teaching at SFA and more than 50 years of full-time teaching in total, Mayer retired at the conclusion of the spring 2019 semester as professor emeritus.

In 2018, the readers of the student newspaper, The Pine Log, named him the Best Faculty Member at SFA. In 2003, he was the recipient of the College of Liberal and Applied Arts Teaching Excellence Award.

He loved being in a classroom teaching future media professionals and having a captive audience to share his stories and jokes. After retirement, he continued teaching part-time. His legacy will live on in the thousands of students he taught and mentored over more than half a century.

Mary Ann Miles

Mary Ann Miles, former staff member, passed away Feb. 26. Miles worked at SFA for over 30 years, working in various departments and eventually retiring as assistant to the dean of the College of Sciences and Mathematics. An avid supporter of SFA's Ladyjacks, she was the 2005 Woman of the Year for University Professional Women at SFA and received the President's Achievement Award at SFA in 1998.

Dr. Hershel Reeves

Dr. Hershel Reeves, former forestry professor, passed away April 3. Reeves retired as professor of forestry after 25 years of teaching and conducting research at SFA. He is the author of one book and a co-author of two books as well as numerous publications in professional journals. Reeves received many awards and honors from professional and civic societies during his academic career, including being elected as fellow in the National Society of American Foresters.

Nancy Speck

Nancy Speck, former faculty member and vice president of advancement, passed away March 31. Her career at SFA began in the James I. Perkins College of Education. After earning her Doctor of Education from the Texas Woman's University in 1978, she returned to SFA to teach in the Nelson Rusche College of Business and eventually moved into the SFA's administration arena.

She was director of development and rose to the rank of vice president of university advancement. She had a successful career representing the university in political and public affairs across the state and in Washington, D.C.

Her civic activities included serving as a member of the Deep East Texas Mental Health and Mental Retardation board, now known as Burke Mental Health Services; president of the Nacogdoches County Chamber of Commerce; a founder of both The Texas Lyceum and the Nacogdoches Heritage Festival; and a member of various historical societies in Texas. Among her many honors, she was named the Nacogdoches Citizen of the Year and East Texan of the Year.

Pat Spence

Pat Spence, a 1987 graduate and long-time advisor for The Pine Log student newspaper and Stone Fort yearbook at SFA, passed away June 15. Spence, who also taught classes in the Department of Mass Communication, was revered by many past and present students as the matriarch of SFA's student publications department. She led the award-winning publications to tremendous heights for 28 years.

The Pat Spence Scholarship for The Pine Log was established in 2014 as she neared retirement. Funds for the scholarship are being raised by friends and former students. The scholarship is awarded to currently enrolled Pine Log staff members who are mass communication and/or art majors.