The Office of the Dean of Student Affairs held its 10th annual Purple Santa Toy Drive on Friday, Dec. 7.

Through the generosity of SFA’s faculty and staff, the drive filled two SFA cargo vans and ensured that over 1,000 children in Nacogdoches will receive toys this year.

This year’s program featured a new Santa and a new suit. The role of Purple Santa was played by Saville Harris, Greek Life coordinator. The suit was made by Jessica Tinker, an interdisciplinary studies graduate student and an employee of the SFA costume shop.

Thank you to everyone who contributed! To view Purple Santa's "nice" list, click here.

Faculty and professional advisors are invited to the Professional Academic Advisors Council meeting scheduled from 2 to 3 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 13, in the Steen Library, Wyatt Room. We hope to see you there!

If you would like to be added to the PAAC email list, contact Raquel Skidmore, Steen Library academic advisor, at skidmorerr@sfasu.edu.

In observance of the holiday break, SFA Today will pause publication after Friday, Dec. 14.

Publication will resume Tuesday, Jan. 22, when classes begin.

SFA Gardens will host the monthly Theresa and Les Reeves Lecture Series at 7 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 13, in the Brundrett Conservation Education Building at the Pineywoods Native Plant Center.

Mark Weathington, director of the JC Raulston Arboretum at North Carolina State University in Raleigh, will present, “Beyond Tire Planters: Gardening in the South.”

Weathington is passionate in his work to connect people with plants. His latest book, “Gardening in the South: The Complete Homeowner’s Guide,” takes his common sense approach — and a bit of humor — and makes gardening accessible for any level of gardener.

The lecture is free and open to the public, but donations to the Theresa and Les Reeves Lecture Series fund are always appreciated.

For more information, call (936) 468-4129, or email sfagardens@sfasu.edu.

The University Mentoring Committee is compiling a list of mentor programs available on campus.

Please take a moment to answer the survey detailing your knowledge of or participation with any SFA programs.

Students in SFA's School of Art will host an open-studios event and ceramics sale for the local community from 4 to 8 p.m. tomorrow in the art buildings located on Wilson Drive.

The ceramics sale will include both graduate and undergraduate work.

“This opportunity to acquire beautiful, handmade pottery comes just in time for the holidays,” said Amanda Breitbach, assistant professor of art at SFA.

For more information, contact the SFA School of Art at (936) 468-4804.

The award-winning multi-Grammy nominated duo Dailey and Vincent will ring in the holiday season with “A Springer Mountain Farms Christmas” scheduled for 7:30 p.m. tomorrow in Turner Auditorium.

Jamie Dailey and Darrin Vincent take their music, a mix of bluegrass with traditional country and gospel, to iconic venues such as The Ryman Auditorium and Carnegie Hall. They are Grand Ole Opry members, five-time Grammy award winners individually, and three-time Grammy award nominees collectively.

Prior to the performance, local bluegrass fan Scott Waller will present an informative talk at 7 p.m. in Griffith Gallery.

Single event ticket prices for the University Series are $25 for adults, $20 for seniors, and $10 for non-SFA students and youth. Tickets for SFA students are $3. For more information or to purchase tickets, stop by the Fine Arts Box Office in the Griffith Fine Arts Building, Room 211, call (936) 468-6407, or visit finearts.sfasu.edu

Another installment of the popular “Red Dirt Memories: Storytelling with Jerry Permenter” is planned from 1 to 4 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 15 and 16, at The Cole Art Center @ The Old Opera House in downtown Nacogdoches. Permenter’s newly published book, “Red Dirt Memories,” will be available for purchase.

A native of the Swift community in Nacogdoches County, Permenter, who goes by the name Red DirtBoy on Facebook, grew up in rural East Texas, and his memories of those early years laid the groundwork for what is now the Facebook page Red Dirt Memories, which has more than 10,000 followers. SFA Press is publishing “Red Dirt Memories,” and a limited number will be available for purchase and for Permenter to sign at the Christmas edition of storytelling at the Cole Art Center. Books are $20 each; cash or check only will be accepted.

Permenter will again share some of his own “red dirt” memories in holiday-themed storytelling sessions both afternoons. Admission is free.

For more information, call (936) 468-6557.

Are you dreaming of a white Christmas? It's no surprise that the odds are minimal if you remain in the southern region of the U.S. However, if you're traveling further north, your dream may come true.

To view a map of The National Weather Service's snow predictions, click here.