She always comes to work, and does her work, with a smile. Tireless and patient in the topsy-turvy world of collegiate sports, Ofelia Sarabia, a custodian, is the unofficial “woodcutter” for athletics, serving as an English-Spanish translator, jack-of-all-trades fixer, and first-call contact in the event of an emergency or change of plans.

Sarabia has been at SFA for nearly four years and has made such a good impression that she was nominated for the President’s Achievement Award by two of her co-workers, Loree McCary and Brandi Bryant.

“While Ofelia may not have started with a plan to live the athletics lifestyle, she has certainly embraced it,” Bryant said. “Ofelia did not attend SFA, but she is SFA. When she is not working, she cheers and supports our kids in every program. She takes care of us. She has hopes that her children and grandchildren become the first in her family to become Lumberjacks.”

Sarabia’s custodial work includes making sure the locker rooms, dugouts, the fieldhouse and Homer Bryce Stadium are spotless.

Fenci is among the artists selected to participate in a free, virtual panel discussion to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the Houston Center for Contemporary Craft.

The panel brings together a group of locally and nationally distinguished artists and thinkers to reflect on how HCCC has grown over the past 20 years and what the future of craft looks like.

The discussion takes place from 6 to 7 p.m. Sept. 23. Virtual attendance is free, but registration is required.

SFA Health Services will begin offering walk-in COVID-19 testing Monday, Sept. 13. Testing hours are from 8:30 to 11:30 a.m. and 1 to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Students, faculty and staff are eligible to receive the test, and the process should take approximately 10 minutes. Results will be provided within three hours via text message.

Individuals needing a test should complete the online registration form. After completing the form, you will be able to print or take a screen shot of the QR code to bring to Health Services. You will not be tested without the QR code.

When arriving at the Tucker Health Services Building, proceed to door three, located closest to Hall 14. A member of the testing team will let you in, paperwork will be completed, and the test will be administered. If you are experiencing any symptoms of COVID-19, let the testing team know before entering the building.

If you have any questions, contact Health Services at (936) 468-4008.

University Marketing Communications launched a new project request system today that will allow any SFA employee to request UMC assistance through an online service desk.

All UMC projects will now be managed through the system. Individuals or departments on campus needing UMC assistance are asked to submit a ticket through the online portal, which can be easily accessed at sfasu.edu/umc-request. They will receive a confirmation email and can engage with UMC representatives through the system as well as check on project progress.

You will be prompted to answer two questions upon your first login attempt, but you're welcome to select "Skip Question" for each. To submit a ticket, first select a project type from the list of available services. If you’re unsure which area your project falls within, select the project type you think best fits and click “Ask a Question.” You also may email general questions to umc@sfasu.edu.

If you have multiple project requests, such as a social media post and press release whether for the same or different events, each project must be requested separately.

SFA's Office of Multicultural Affairs will host its first Brave Space Series of the semester at 4 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 16, in the Baker Pattillo Student Center Multimedia Room.

The program, “Through the Looking Glass,” will discuss ways to view situations and issues through individual perspectives.

“In the world we live in now, we must coexist with our different perspectives,” said La-Meria Seriale, OMA student ambassador. “Come join us and discuss how we as an SFA community can be more inclusive of others’ views and still be behind our own views.”

For more information, contact the OMA at oma@sfasu.edu or (936) 468-1073.

In an ongoing effort to help ensure student success and expand courses to encompass the diverse field of agriculture, SFA’s Department of Agriculture now offers a specialized track in agricultural communications.

This degree track combines core agriculture and communications proficiencies to help prepare students to be effective communicators for the agriculture industry. In addition to core agricultural courses, such as animal science, soil science and farm management, students develop skills in writing, photojournalism, public relations and media content development.

“People are becoming more and more aware of agriculture and our diverse practices,” said Dr. Joey Bray, chair of SFA’s Department of Agriculture. “While that’s good, we also have to contend with misconceptions and a lack of agriculture-related information made available to the public.”

Click hereto learn more about SFA’s agriculture program.

SFA's Early Childhood Laboratory is holding its annual flu shot clinic, sponsored by Walgreens, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 15, in the Janice A. Pattillo Early Childhood Research Center lobby.

Those receiving the shot will need proof of insurance. Those without insurance can get the shot for $42.49.

Contact Crystal Adams, ECL director, at crystal.adams@sfasu.edu to obtain a consent form.

The Lumberjacks Vote initiative is now underway through the Office of the Dean of Student Affairs. For those interested in becoming a deputy voter registrar, Nacogdoches County will be holding volunteer deputy registrar classes at the Nacogdoches Courthouse Annex. Those interested in the class can sign up here.

For current voter registrars who would like to display a logo, email DOS@sfasu.edu.

Remember, wearing a face mask, social distancing and getting vaccinated can help prevent the spread of COVID-19.

For more information, visit sfasu.edu/covid19/cases. Case numbers are updated daily.

An exhibition of tintypes by Bill Nieberding, associate professor of art at SFA, will be on display from Sept. 11 through Oct. 9 at Falling Star Gallery.

“Reflections in Silver” features tintype photographs that explore a range of East Texas subjects and still-life.

“Time flows differently in East Texas,” Nieberding said. “Tintype is an antiquated process invented in the 1850s that is inextricably intertwined with the concept of time. Exposures are long, as the collodion emulsion is extremely slow – much less sensitive to light than modern digital sensors.”

Falling Star Gallery is located at 216 N. Church St. For more information, call (917) 209-1050.

For unique, live-theatre experiences in an intimate setting, the SFA School of Theatre offers its 2021-22 Mainstage Series featuring three plays presented on campus and another play presented in nearby Center.

From comedies to classics, this year’s selection includes something for everyone, according to Cleo House Jr., director of the School of Theatre. This season’s shows include “Bootycandy” by Robert O’Hara; “Ajax in Iraq” by Ellen McLaughlin; “Our Town” by Thornton Wilder; and “The Taming of the Shrew” by William Shakespeare.

For more information, including ticket prices, visit theatre.sfasu.edu, or contact the School of Theatre at (936) 468-4003.

From pixelated pets to container ships hovering above the sea, these mind-bending images may cause a double take.

To see more, click here.