Every interaction provides an opportunity to turn a prospective student into an enrolled student. For the week of Feb. 17 through 23, we will have approximately 5,991 opportunities to do so.

Click here to see who’s coming and where they will be.

Future college students will have the opportunity to experience a taste of campus life during a free, action-packed open house Saturday, Feb. 22, at SFA.

Prospective students can visit with university faculty and staff, tour the campus and residence halls, and preview academic programs during SFA’s Showcase Saturday event.

For more information on Showcase Saturday, contact the Office of Admissions at (936) 468-2504, or email admissions@sfasu.edu.

SFA’s Beef Center at the Todd Agricultural Research Center is a home base for students exploring the agricultural industry.

Unfortunately, a barn at the Beef Center was destroyed by a November 2018 fire.

“The fire at the Beef Center did not injure any individuals or animals, and we plan to begin construction soon on a replacement facility,” said Dr. Hans Williams, dean of the Arthur Temple College of Forestry and Agriculture.

The SFA Board of Regents recently approved the construction of a replacement barn at a projected cost of $900,000, and the university is seeking contributions to assist in outfitting the new facility with state-of-the-art equipment.

To donate online, visit sfasu.edu/give. Select "other," specify "Beef Center," and follow the designated steps to complete the donation. For more ways to donate, click the "Read More" button.

Dr. David Creech, SFA professor emeritus of agriculture and director of SFA Gardens, will discuss plant propagation techniques during a budding and grafting workshop from 9 a.m. to noon Feb. 29 at the Brundrett Conservation Education Building, located at 2900 Raguet St.

“Budding and grafting is an ancient practice that is part science, part art and always fun,” Creech said.

Participants will practice on a variety of plants and will take home their own grafted Japanese maple tree. Attendees should bring a small, sharp pocketknife. All additional needed materials will be provided.

The cost is $30 for SFA Gardens members and $40 for nonmembers. Space is limited. Register by calling (936) 468-4129 after 1 p.m., or email sfagardens@sfasu.edu.

Princesses from across East Texas are invited to don their best ball gowns and sip tea with friends during the SFA Gardens' annual Little Princess Tea Party slated for March 28 in the Ruby M. Mize Azalea Garden.

"The azalea garden creates a magical setting for young princesses and fairies to celebrate the beauty of the land,” said Jocelyn Moore, SFA Gardens educational programs coordinator and tea party organizer.

Teatime snacks and drinks will be provided followed by fun activities, including story time and dance, led by SFA Gardens environmental education fairies and pirates.

Tickets are $35 per person and can be purchased online at sfagardens.sfasu.edu.

Walter de la Cruz, advisor in the Department of Athletics and foster student liaison, will speak at “In The System" scheduled for 6 p.m. Monday, Feb. 17, in the Steen Hall lobby.

The event is designed to raise awareness about the foster care system and inform the community about the assistance SFA and the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services offer for former foster and adopted youth.

It will provide insight into how the student body can make a difference and assist those who have been in foster care.

Representatives from DFPS also will speak at the event.

SFA’s Office of Multicultural Affairs will host an event celebrating Black History Month at 7 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 20, in the Baker Pattillo Student Center Twilight Ballroom.

Dr. Willie Trotty, professor emeritus in the Prairie View A&M University Whitlowe R. Green College of Education, will deliver the keynote speech.

In addition to the keynote speech, attendees will enjoy dinner and various SFA student performances. Dress is business casual.

Tickets are $10 for faculty, staff and community members. Students can purchase $3 tickets or deliver a canned good to the OMA office in Room 3.101 of the student center. Tickets can be purchased until Monday, Feb. 17.

For more information, call (936) 468-1073, or email oma@sfasu.edu.

Men's basketball:

SFA - 75 vs. Texas A&M University at Corpus Christi - 67

Women's basketball:

SFA - 72 vs. Texas A&M University at Corpus Christi - 49

The college and university review guide GradReports has ranked SFA as No. 5 in the nation in its 25 Best Music Schools 2020 report.

The 25 schools on the list offer the top bachelor's degrees in music, based on median salary one year out of college. GradReports uses alumni earnings data from the government and real student reviews to help people make decisions about their education and career.

The recent rankings were based on data published by the U.S. Department of Education in November 2019, with tuition data collected from the National Center for Education Statistics.

By popular demand, Art Prom is coming back as a fundraiser for the Friends of the Visual Arts, an SFA external affiliate that promotes the visual arts in the local community and East Texas region, especially by supporting the art faculty and art students of SFA.

This year’s theme, the “Odd Ball,” will give prom-goers the latitude they need to wear their oddest formal attire and dance the night away to tunes spanning the late 1960s to today, according to Crystal Hicks, FVA president. Nacogdoches’ own Pat Casey will DJ the event, complete with a light show and disco ball.

The Odd Ball Art Prom is scheduled for 7:30 to 11:30 p.m. March 21 at the Rebellion Barn at Millard's Crossing Historic Village. Tickets are $50 per person and include heavy hors d'oeuvres. A cash bar and photo booth will be available. Attendees must be age 21 or older. To purchase tickets, call (936) 468-6407, or visit boxoffice.sfasu.edu.

A recital of new solo works for trombone and piano will be presented at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 20, in Cole Concert Hall.

Dr. Deb Scott, professor of trombone in the SFA School of Music, and Dr. Thomas Nixon, SFA collaborative pianist, will perform works that were selected for performance last summer at the International Trombone Festival at Ball State University in Muncie, Indiana.

Music selections for the concert include “The Scomorokhs” (A Tragicomic Scene) composed by Dmytro Malyi, “Brazilian Pictures” by Jimmy Kachulis, and John Coltrane’s “Giant Steps,” among others.

Recital tickets are $8 for adults, $6 for senior citizens, and $3 for students and youth. For tickets or more information, call the SFA Fine Arts Box Office at (936) 468-6407, or visit finearts.sfasu.edu.

Are you looking for a fun way to give your sweetie a mushy message? Lucky for you, Valentine’s Day conversation hearts are back just in the nick of time.

Last year, the candies weren't produced after Necco went out of business. However, they are available this year — in limited supply — thanks to Spangler Candy Company’s purchase of the former candy company.

To read more of the "sweet" story, click here.