Dr. Brian Barngrover, assistant professor of chemistry and biochemistry, has always had an interest in chemistry. Barngrover majored in forensic science and biomedical chemistry with dual minors in physics and criminal justice at Kansas Wesleyan University. He then attended Kansas State University and earned a doctoral degree in computational theoretical physical chemistry.

“I try to be the most excited and passionate person in the room about chemistry as I am teaching, that way the students can try to stay engaged as well as feed off my energy,” Barngrover said.

Barngrover is the recipient of this year's Teaching Excellence Award for the College of Sciences and Mathematics.

This is the last in the series of 2021 Teaching Excellence Award features.

Oliphant recently served as key note speaker at the Dallas Truth, Racial Healing and Transformation Virtual Conference.

The presentation, "Truth and reconciliation: exploring the origins of truth, racial healing and transformation," focused on her work as a social worker in South Africa during the post-apartheid era, and included her experiences growing up in South Africa. She addressed victim empowerment, restorative justice and the role of the truth and reconciliation commission in healing a nation.

After canceling in-person ceremonies for more than a year as a result of the pandemic, a certification program started by SFA’s Office of Multicultural Affairs in fall 2019 recognized its first 81 graduates during a campus luncheon in April.

The luncheon recognized faculty and staff graduates from three semesters of the OMA’s Diversity and Inclusion Certification Program. Each graduate was awarded a certificate and a “Diversity Champion” miniature axe handle.

The OMA’s Diversity and Inclusion Certification Program was developed with the intention of exposing faculty and staff to critical issues in diversity, multicultural education and social justice.

Approximately 300 faculty and staff are currently enrolled in the program. The OMA has ongoing plans to offer a similar certification programs to students and local community members.

A complete list of program graduates recognized during the April luncheon can be found here.

More information about the OMA’s Diversity and Inclusion Certification Program can be found at sfasu.edu/oma.

Ashley Johnson, Information Technology Services coordinator, and Dr. Heather Olson Beal, professor of education studies, were chosen as the staff and faculty recipients of the Inaugural Organization for Women’s Leadership and Equity Advocate Award.

The award recognizes one faculty member and one staff member who embody OWLE’s mission by advocating for female employees, as evidenced by peer- or self-nomination.

OWLE’s mission is to empower women and support women’s professional advancement as they balance their professional, personal, physical and mental health demands and needs. OWLE advocates for policies that support female staff and faculty by utilizing the unique perspectives of women and their shared experiences.

Join the Study Abroad Association's Global Learning Fest celebrating global education, understanding and connections running through May 30.

The free event includes self-paced 360° experiences, livestreams and an active online community group. Each day, participants can explore the 360° Global Learning Experiences in various areas of study and join events with the local guides and guest speakers.

Additional events and activities include travel trivia, cooking classes, themed discussions, faculty development workshops and more. To register or view the event lineup, click here.

5’s A Crowd will present a concert at 7 p.m. June 5 at Banita Creek Hall.

Tickets cost $25 each, and proceeds benefit SFA’s General Scholarship fund. To purchase tickets, click here.

The Environmental Services Fee committee is now accepting preliminary applications from faculty, staff and students to fund sustainable projects on campus

If you have an idea that would make SFA a more green, sustainable and beautiful place to live and work, submit your proposal here.

For questions or guidance, email studentgovernment@sfasu.edu.

SFA's softball and track and field teams won the Southland Conference Championship title in their respective sports.

You can now immerse yourself in an interpretation of Mexican artist Frida Kahlo’s garden at the San Antonio Botanical Garden’s exhibit “Frida Kahlo Oasis."

The exhibit features replicas of the iconic blue walls of Casa Azul, Kahlo’s desk and easel, and spectacular plants, including Sansevieria, tropical bird of paradise, cacti and succulents.

To see more, click here.