Bettye Craddock in The Golden Years discusses the student activities which led to SFA traditions. Craddock is not clear about two items, the school colors and the Stone Fort yearbooks. The colors came from the meeting of the First Class on November 22, 1923. The report in the paper read: "We selected our colors and motto next. The colors which were chosen were royal purple and gold. Our motto is a French word, 'Qui Vive,' meaning, 'On the alert'." The announcement for the Stone Fort came in December of 1923. (JLJ)

The Daily Sentinel, December 4, 1923

The Teachers College Annual

The students of the Stephen F. Austin State Teachers College have decided to publish an annual. . . . .The students will undertake a book of two hundred and fifty pages, and will try to give a faithful picture of college activities. Particular emphasis will be given to typical features of Nacogdoches--her natural charm, her history and traditions. . . . It will therefore be a splendid advertising medium. . . . .It will be read by both present and future students. It will influence many people to come to Nacogdoches, and many students to come to the college. A. W. Birdwell, President.

The Golden Years

By Bettye H. Craddock

"During that first year, plenty of activities were scheduled to keep the students busy. Many school traditions evolved from these early activities.

"One of the first traditions of the school was singing "The Pine Tree Hymn," written by Mrs. Karle Wilson Baker ...

"The first year clubs and organizations also formed long-standing traditions for the infant school. Among these first organizations were three music clubs and four literary societies.

"Miss Pritchett sponsored the music clubs. The Treble Clef Club, a group of forty women . . . The Glee Club, twelve-men strong, did not quite gain the membership as its sister organization. . . . The Choral Club, composed of members from both the Treble Clef and Glee Clubs, made its initial appearance on Armistice Day, 1923.

"The literary societies were organized November 1, 1923, to help the women promote studying of good literature and the men to gain valuable experience in oral speaking and debate. The Anne Birdwell Club, sponsored by Miss Hazel Floyd, was named for President Birdwell's small daughters. The Blue Bonnet Literary Society for women was as true as its motto, "Green But Growing."

"The Thomas J. Rusk Literary Society, with its motto, "Stand Up; Speak Up; Shut Up," was formed by a group of college men with W. F. Garner as sponsor. Their brother organization, The Stone Fort Literary Society, was composed of sub-college men. C. E. Ferguson was the sponsor for the group. Their programs consisted of debate on important subjects of the day including, "Should the Monroe Doctrine Be Abolished?"

". . . Another strong and vibrant organization was the Karle Wilson Baker Dramatic Club, so named for the sponsor. [Actually, this group was named before Mrs. Baker joined SFA in the summer of 1924. JLJ] Twenty-five students banded together and met at the Old Stone Fort to make plans for the organization. The first production and public appearance was a miracle play of the Annunciation presented before the Christmas holiday.

". . . Luther J. Garner, headed the staff for the first Stone Fort, college yearbook. . . . . College athletes also had their own organization. After the final football game, Coach Bob Shelton announced . . . Lumberjacks as charter members of the Letter Men Association of SFASTC. . . .

"Foremost among SFA traditions was the selection of the "lumberjack" to be the school mascot.

"The students and faculty met in assembly to decide upon a name for the athletic teams. Several names were considered, and those proposing the names led yells to demonstrate the fitness of their nominations. By vote, the assembly chose LUMBERJACKS, the name submitted by T. E. Ferguson, professor of English.

"Soon after the move-to the campus the first school newspaper, The Pine Log, was published. Volume One, Number One appeared on May 31, 1924. Miss Mary Edwards from Troup was editor for the charter publication. Greer Orton Jr. was business manager.

"The newspaper's name was chosen much in the same manner as the naming of the athletic teams. "As I remember it, Miss Virginia Broadfoot who was the girls' physical education teacher, suggested the name 'pine log' because of the pine trees around the campus and the fact that log indicates keeping a record of things," said the first editor. "It was voted on to see whether or not that name would be satisfactory."