Swearingen’s article, “Interior design students create safe learning spaces, earn internship credits during pandemic,” was published in the fall 2020 issue of IDEC Exchange, the journal for the Interior Design Educators Council.

The article examines how, this past summer, SFA interior design students assessed nearly 400 rooms on campus, created floor plans to comply with Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines, and compiled spreadsheets to help faculty members know how to arrange the furniture and technology in learning spaces to meet physical distancing requirements.

To read more, click here.

Kouliavtsev was recently featured in an online column on MoneyGeek.com about its latest car insurance study.

In the article, Kouliavtsev writes about how often drivers should get new quotes, the major factors they should consider when comparing car insurance companies and why insurance quotes vary by location.

To read Kouliavtsev’s article, click here.

Dr. Brandon Frye, who currently serves as associate vice president for academic engagement and student affairs at the University of West Florida, will join the SFA staff on Feb. 4 and will lead the student affairs division, which comprises student programs and services, including housing, student engagement, counseling and wellness.

After conducting a national search for the position, Dr. Scott Gordon, SFA president, said Frye’s 20 years of student affairs experience will be essential in advancing SFA’s mission and supporting student engagement, health, wellness and retention.

“Dr. Frye will serve as an advocate for students,” Gordon said. “He will be charged with developing and facilitating high-quality programs and services and effective business practices that support student learning and post-college success.”

Frye will replace Dr. Steve Westbrook, who retired from SFA in December 2020.

Individuals interested in aviation will soon have the opportunity to pursue a bachelor’s degree that leads to aircraft pilot certification at SFA, following approval by the Board of Regents during a specially called meeting Dec. 17. The university plans to partner with an aviation training school to offer the new aviation sciences bachelor's degree, and courses will begin in fall 2021.

Regents also approved the cost for tuition and fees for students pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Interdisciplinary Studies through the university’s partnership with the Texas A&M System’s RELLIS Academic Alliance in Bryan-College Station. The tuition cost of $4,647.75 for 15 semester credit hours is the same rate charged by other A&M institutions offering courses on the RELLIS Campus. SFA’s program on the RELLIS Campus will begin in fall 2021.

After an executive session, regents approved the acceptance of an invitation for SFA athletics to join the Western Athletic Conference in 2022. The WAC is currently home to California Baptist, Chicago State, Dixie State, Grand Canyon University, New Mexico State, Seattle University, Tarleton State, University of Texas Rio Grande Valley and Utah Valley University. Dr. Scott Gordon, SFA president, will negotiate the terms of the agreement.

In its continued efforts to seek new avenues for reducing barriers to higher education, SFA has unveiled a new program aimed at recognizing high-achieving SFA undergraduates by fast tracking them into a graduate program of their choice.

Created through the Office of Research and Graduate Studies, Axe-celerated Admission allows faculty members to nominate standout students once a year in the spring for VIP admission into a graduate program of their choice at SFA.

The inaugural nomination period will open Feb. 1 and close March 1.

For more information, visit the Axe-celerated Admission website.

The Core Curriculum Committee invites faculty members to attend a town hall meeting from 3 to 5 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 12, to discuss recent student achievement results in the six objectives of the Texas Core Curriculum.

The meeting will highlight strengths and weaknesses of student performance and will include a faculty discussion of possible improvements. A key component of SFA’s new Faculty Trust Model of core assessment, this meeting provides input for any future policy changes.

To join the meeting, click here.

Meeting ID: 936 4163 8093

Passcode: 801570

For more information on the Faculty Trust Model, visit the Office of Institutional Effectiveness website.

Despite the challenges of COVID-19, the Office of Multicultural Affairs is encouraging students to participate in its MLK Day of Service Jan. 18 in Nacogdoches or virtually in their local communities.

“Due to social distancing regulations, we want to provide virtual students with a way to still participate in this important day,” said Star Jackson, OMA student ambassador. “Even though we can’t all be together, it is heartwarming to know Lumberjacks all over will be serving their community in a special way.”

OMA needs site mentors to help students with service projects, offer leadership advice and provide information about Nacogdoches. OMA also is looking for nonprofits and local residents who need assistance.

To register to be a site mentor, click here. To submit a service site, click here.

For more information, contact Jackson at (936) 468-1073 or jacksonss4@jacks.sfasu.edu.

SFA faculty members and professional advisors are invited to the Professional Academic Advising Council meeting from 2 to 3 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 14, via Zoom.

To join the meeting, click here.

Meeting ID: 924 6364 4272

Password: 276676

To be included in the PAAC email list, contact Raquel Skidmore at skidmorerr@sfasu.edu.

Proposals for the 2021 Teaching Showcase will be accepted through Jan. 27. The showcase is scheduled for 1 p.m. Feb. 19 via Zoom

Now in its seventh year, the Teaching Showcase provides faculty, staff and teaching assistants the opportunity to share best practices, recognize colleagues' innovative teaching methods and hold cross-disciplinary conversations to create better learning opportunities for students.

During the event, presenters provide five-minute overviews and/or demonstrations of teaching tips, technology uses or strategies that enhance student learning. Ten faculty members will present during this fast-paced, fun event.

To submit a proposal or view past presentations, click here.

Applications for the SFA Charter School will be available in the school's office and on its website beginning Wednesday, Jan. 13, and are due by 5:30 p.m. Jan. 29. Lottery notices will be mailed by Feb. 8. There are expected openings in kindergarten and possible openings in first through fifth grades.

Optional information meetings are scheduled for noon Jan. 19 and 5:30 p.m. Jan. 21 via Zoom.

For Zoom links and more information, call (936) 468-5899 or click here.

With the start of the spring semester, The Pine Log student newspaper would like to remind you of a unique opportunity to advertise your programs and activities to the SFA community.

The Pine Log offers competitive online advertising rates, as well as discounts for our on-campus clients.

Advertising in The Pine Log is a smart business decision for any department or program wanting to reach out to SFA students, faculty and staff. Your investment in the publication also pays big dividends for students who are gaining important real-world skills while working in SFA student media.

To inquire about advertising opportunities, call (936) 468-4703, email pinelogads@sfasu.edu or view the current rate card.

To integrate career development resources into their courses, faculty members are invited to submit their spring semester class assignment and presentation requests to the Center for Career and Professional Development.

CCPD offers a variety of presentation topics and assignments to suit many course needs and provides virtual and in-person options.

Requests are considered on a first-come, first-served basis and are subject to staff availability. You must submit requests at least two weeks in advance. A CCPD team member will confirm your request by email.

To submit requests, visit CCPD’s faculty and staff resources website. For more information, contact CCPD at ccpd@sfasu.edu or (936) 468-3305.

A new certification program in the James I. Perkins College of Education will help prepare students to become board-certified behavior analysts who apply behavioral principles to solve social problems.

Authorized by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board in 2020 and the Association for Behavior Analysis International, the Applied Behavior Analysis Certification program emphasizes critical thinking, communication, personal and social responsibility, empirical and quantitative skills and teamwork.

Beginning in fall 2021, the program’s classes will be taught face to face, either in person or via videoconferencing, during the evenings. To be eligible for the program, applicants must hold a bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited institution of higher learning. They also must have a master’s degree or be enrolled in a master's program in psychology, education or a related field.

For more information on the certification program, email Dr. Jaime Flowers, assistant professor of school psychology and coordinator for the certification program, at jaime.flowers@sfasu.edu or visit sfasu.edu/abacertification.

Kick off the new year with Blake Johnson, a personal trainer certified by the National Academy of Sports Medicine, in a motivating small group environment. He emphasizes the fundamentals of weightlifting to create an effective and safe experience for beginner and experienced athletes.

Try the small group strength training experience during free trial sessions. For more information on small group and personal training, visit the Campus Recreation website.

Men's basketball:

SFA - 55 vs. University of Louisiana at Monroe - 66

SFA - 78 vs. University of New Orleans - 67

Women's basketball:

SFA - 59 vs. University of Houston - 61

SFA - 67 vs. Auburn University - 54

SFA - 85 vs. The University of Texas at Tyler - 43

SFA - 100 vs. Texas Southern University - 61

SFA - 88 vs. University of New Orleans - 29

SFA - 100 vs. Texas A&M University at Corpus Christi - 41

The School of Art will host two simultaneous exhibitions starting in January in The Cole Art Center @ The Old Opera House in downtown Nacogdoches.

In “Found/Loaded,” artist Sarah Fisher collaborates with fashion designer Rachel Anderson to transform found objects as diverse and seemingly unrelated as dry cleaning identification stickers, sacramental furniture, grocery bags and newspapers.

In describing her exhibition “Encoded,” artist Karen Eisele writes that Byzantine iconography has “a rich history where the techniques used for each aspect of the painting have symbolic meaning.” These traditions have remained unchanged for centuries.

The shows run Jan. 21 through March 20 and are sponsored in part by the SFA Friends of the Visual Arts, William Arscott and the Nacogdoches Junior Forum. Admission is free.

The Cole Art Center is SFA’s historic gallery located at 329 E. Main St. For more information about the School of Art, call (936) 468-4804.

Elvis Presley was born 86 years ago today.

Following COVID-19 guidelines, fans are celebrating this weekend at Graceland. If you can't make it to Memphis tomorrow, you can watch online for free on Elvis' Facebook page.

To learn more, click here.