Sasso published a new article with Dr. Alechia Abioye, director of student affairs at the University of Houston, in the Journal of Higher Education Politics & Economics.

The article distills findings from a study titled "#WhiteAndWoke: Racial Consciousness in White Undergraduate Students." This qualitative study used a novel asynchronous interview protocol to explore how undergraduate students contextualize their experiences with diversity on campus and institutional inclusion efforts.

Immediately upon legislative approval of its affiliation with The University of Texas System, SFA will receive at least $1 million per year in need-based financial aid from the UT System Board of Regents through the Regents’ Promise Plus endowment. This investment will provide an allocation that will allow an additional 1,200 students to attend SFA tuition free next fall through the university’s Purple Promise Guarantee Program.

Set to become a UT institution this year, the SFA Board of Regents announced the new, annual allocation at its own board meeting held Jan. 29-30. The Purple Promise program currently offers funds to cover the remaining balance for tuition and fees not covered by other financial aid for families whose household income is less than $30,000 annually; however, the UT investment will raise that threshold to $80,000 beginning in fall 2023.

Self-described poet, activist and educator Deborah D.E.E.P. Mouton will serve as the keynote speaker for SFA’s ninth annual Diversity Conference, scheduled for 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Feb. 10 in the Baker Pattillo Student Center.

“Deborah is not only a poet but also a storyteller, coach and educator,” said Dr. Veronica Beavers, deputy chief diversity officer and director of SFA’s Office of Multicultural Affairs. “We’re thrilled to have her as this year’s keynote speaker and to be able to watch her put the weight of her experiences, activism, and unique perspectives into a keynote that speaks to this year’s theme of everyday inclusion.”

The Office of Multicultural Affairs has posted the spring dates for the SFA Diversity and Inclusion Certification Program for faculty and staff. The program supports the OMA mission to create a campus environment where all students, faculty and staff feel welcome and included. In addition, it provides opportunities for meaningful cross-cultural interactions and learning experiences that promote respect for diversity.

The program is free. Faculty and staff may take these workshops to earn the certificate or attend individual workshops based on professional interests or needs. To earn the certificate, participants must attend the core course, Diversity and Inclusion at SFA: Foundations, and attend four elective training workshop offerings.

To view the schedule and register, visit the Faculty and Staff Diversity and Inclusion Certification Program webpage.

SFA's Rusche College of Business hosted a dedication for the Arnold Center for Entrepreneurship, or ACE, Sunday. The center is named for Greg Arnold of Dallas, who received a Bachelor of Business Administration in marketing from SFA in 1987.

The Organization for Women’s Leadership and Equity will hold its next general meeting from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m. Friday, Feb. 10, in Steen Library's Wyatt Room and via Zoom.

We look forward to seeing new, newer and not-so-new staff and faculty there.

Email owle@sfasu.edu, Dr. Mary Hawkins or Sheri Grant-Fenton for the Zoom link.

The Dean of Students Office has launched new software that allows students to place Lumberjack Food Pantry orders and schedule their pickup times online.

In addition, those wanting to donate to the pantry, may view the pantry's wish list online and deliver donations to the Health and Wellness Hub. For more information, email thepantry@sfasu.edu.

The Texas Association of Black Personnel in Higher Education - East Texas Chapter is holding a popcorn fundraiser through 5 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 5, to support TABPHE events and expenses throughout the year.

TABPHE is an organization that acts as an advocate for Black people in the educational realm. The organization evaluates, promotes and supports programs pertinent to Black people in colleges, universities and communities, and it encourages and promotes collaboration among the Black community in educational institutions.

To participate, view the fundraiser website.

University Marketing Communications’ social media team is putting together a special Valentine’s Day post to celebrate SFA couples.

If you would like to be included in the post on SFA’s flagship social media accounts, please send a photo of you and your sweetheart at an SFA event or at a location on campus to Kerry Whitsett, marketing communications coordinator, at whitsettkd@sfasu.edu.

Join the Office of International Programs in celebrating SFA's international students as they share information about their home countries during Global Gateway presentations throughout the semester.

The International Student Association will also present a fashion show before the World Night Market on Feb. 8 as part of Unity Week.

Presentations on countries will be held in the Ferguson Building, Room 377, at 3 p.m. for the following: Bangladesh, today; Vietnam, March 17; and Colombia, March 30. There also will be a presentation about India at 2 p.m. Feb. 22 in Ferguson, Room 179. The date for a presentation on the Netherlands will be announced later.

Men’s Basketball

SFA - 67 vs. New Mexico State University - 73

Music ensembles at SFA have a long-standing history of impressive performances at the Texas Music Educators Association Clinic/Convention held annually in San Antonio. The four-day event, slated for Wednesday, Feb. 8, through Saturday, Feb. 11, is the largest music educators convention in the nation with more than 26,000 attendees.

This year will mark the 13th TMEA performance by SFA bands in the history of the band program, according to Dr. Tamey Anglley, director of bands at SFA. The SFA Wind Ensemble performs at 6 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 9, in the Lila Cockrell Theatre in the Henry B. Gonzales Convention Center.

Following a competitive application process, SFA Wind Ensemble was among three university performance groups selected to perform at this year’s convention.

The deadline for the SFA School of Art’s call for entries in the 2023 Texas National Competition and Exhibition has been extended through Monday, Feb. 6.

Texas National features an assortment of art from various media, according to Erik Ordaz, exhibition coordinator for Cole Art Center @ The Old Opera House where the exhibition will show from April 14 through June 30. Prizes will be awarded for first, second and third best in show at the juror’s discretion.

The Symphonic Band and the Wind Symphony will perform at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 7, in the Grand Ballroom of the Baker Pattillo Student Center.

The Symphonic Band’s portion of the program celebrates Black History Month, according to Dr. Chris Kaatz, assistant director of bands at SFA and director of the Symphonic Band.

Wind Symphony, conducted by Dr. Dan Haddad, associate director of bands at SFA, will perform “Lasting Light” by Viet Cuong and Gustav Holst’s “First Suite in E-flat for Military Band,” among other works.

The SFA School of Art and the SFA Department of English and Creative Writing will present the exhibition “Re-Visions,” showing Monday, Feb. 6, through Friday, Feb. 10, in the student galleries of the Lower Art Building on Wilson Drive.

Formerly a course at SFA called Pen & Pigment, Words of Art is a student organization-led collaborative event that presents contributors with a publication and exhibition opportunity.

Groundhog Day is finally here!

If you're keeping tabs on the predications, the Countdown to Groundhog Day website offers invaluable information.

Want to know if two alligators in Beaumont predict an early spring? View the list of Groundhog Day Forecasters in Texas.