Colby-Lynch was appointed to the Association of Veterans Education Certifying Officials board of directors.

AVECO is one of two organizations for certifying officials. Its purpose is to prepare and serve administrators and counselors of veterans' education benefits in institutions of higher learning and agencies and organizations engaged in the support of veterans' education benefits.

The AVECO board of directors helps plan professional development opportunities for its members, such as virtual trainings and an annual conference.

McDonald recently earned professor emeritus status after more than 30 years of service to SFA. Prior to his retirement in December, McDonald served SFA in many capacities, including serving as geography coordinator and as the assistant director in charge of education and training at the Columbia Regional Geospatial Service Center.

His commitment to student success is well-recognized and he is a respected mentor to current students and alumni, often helping them reach their career and personal goals.

Hampton recently published an article in Time titled, “Football Power Was Always Part of the Plan for Liberty University.”

The article analyzes the rise of Liberty University’s football team and Christian nationalism.

A recent study from Johns Hopkins University highlighted how chimpanzees and bonobos can recognize the faces of social partners after 26 years of separation. Ten years ago, Bruck established that dolphins can remember each other’s signature whistles for more than 20 years.

Given the parallels in these two studies, Bruck was asked to comment on a recent New York Times article highlighting animal long-term social memory.

Lemke recently surpassed 900 career wins as the Ladyjack bowling team finished 7th/19th at the National Collegiate Athletic Association's Stormin' Blue and White Vegas Classic.

A new partnership with Coursera, a global online learning platform, will give students, employees and alumni the opportunity to earn more than 40 professional certifications and develop a competitive edge in their current and future careers.

Made possible by SFA’s affiliation with The University of Texas System, the partnership gives Lumberjacks free access to Career Academy, which features more than 300 short courses taught by leading companies, including Google, IBM and Meta.

Candace Nelson is a serial entrepreneur, “Shark Tank” guest shark, New York Times and Wall Street Journal bestselling author, and an expert in turning one's passion into a profitable business.

She also is the guest speaker for the fourth installment of SFA's Nelson Rusche Distinguished Lecture Series, slated for 7:30 p.m. March 26 in the Baker Pattillo Student Center Grand Ballroom. A private reception and book signing will be held prior to the lecture at 6 p.m.

Free tickets for the main event at 7:30 p.m. will be available for pickup starting Feb. 15 at the Baker Pattillo Student Center information desk and the McGee Building, Room 137.

Spring 2024 LEAP applications for eligible participants — SFA employees, their spouses and dependents — are available now in mySFA. The application form can be accessed in the “Benefits” section of the Employee tab. Approved LEAP exemptions will be applied to eBills.

For questions, contact Student Business Services at sbs@sfasu.edu.

The IMPACT Conference — the largest annual conference focused on the civic engagement of college students in community service, service-learning, community-based research, advocacy and other forms of social action — will be hosted at SFA this year.

Accepted workshop presenters and anyone interested in attending the conference can complete an interest application for a discounted registration code. Priority application deadline is Jan. 24.

To learn more about the upcoming conference, visit the conference's website, or contact Dr. Lauren Burrow at burrowle@sfasu.edu.

The Research Advancing Identities and Student Experiences Center is accepting submissions for the inaugural RAISE Center Conference, “Charting New Waters in Identities, Experiences and Community Engagement."

The conference is scheduled for Feb. 22 in the Baker Pattillo Student Center and the closing session will be in collaboration with the IMPACT Conference scheduled to begin that evening. Attendance to the RAISE conference is free and preregistration is open now.

The RAISE Conference committee is accepting online proposals submissions now through Jan. 26. To learn more about the conference and the types of presentations the committee is seeking, visit the RAISE Center webpage.

SFA Gardens will host its annual Garden Gala Day Plant Sale from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. April 6 and 7 at the Pineywoods Native Plant Center, located at 2900 Raguet St.

The sale will feature an array of hard-to-find, “Texas-tough” plants, including exclusive SFA introductions, Texas natives, edibles, tropicals, perennials, shrubs and trees, with an emphasis on pollinator-friendly selections. A full list of available plants will be posted on the SFA Gardens website two weeks before the sale.

SFA Gardens will host the monthly Theresa and Les Reeves Lecture Series at 7 p.m. Feb. 8 in the Brundrett Conservation Education Building at the Pineywoods Native Plant Center, located at 2900 Raguet St.

Dr. Justin Scheiner, Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service viticulturist and associate professor at Texas A&M University, will present “Making Mayhem with Muscadine Madness.”

Men's basketball

SFA - 84 vs. Southern Utah University - 82

Women's basketball

SFA - 68 vs. Southern Utah University - 53

Bowling

The team finished 7th/19th in a stacked Stormin' Blue and White Vegas Classic.

Track and field

The team got its indoor season started in historical fashion as Nathan Kapel set a school record in the one mile, with a time of 4:04.42. View more results at sfajacks.com.

To view SFA Athletics news and a schedule of upcoming events, visit sfajacks.com.

Organized by the School of Art and led by Dr. William Nieberding, associate professor of art, the fall 2023 Art Day was a tremendous success.

Art Day offered half-day college studio art classes tailored for high school students. SFA welcomed more than 200 high school students who enthusiastically participated in the day's activities, gaining diverse art skills.

The School of Art extends heart-felt gratitude to everyone who contributed to making the event memorable for these young individuals and their art teachers. For more information, contact Nieberding at william.nieberding@sfasu.edu.

The School of Art is excited to announce a five-week Saturday Morning Art Program tailored to third through eighth grade students, which will be held in the Art Building.

For $50, which includes all materials needed for the five classes, children will be immersed in a delightful art learning experience led by SFA's pre-service art teachers.

Space is limited. Register on the program's website. For registration-related questions, contact Kendra Brown at kendra.brown@sfasu.edu. For academics-related questions, contact Dr. William Nieberding at william.nieberding@sfasu.edu.

The School of Art’s call for entries in the 2024 Texas National Competition and Exhibition will remain open through a Feb. 2 deadline.

Texas National features an assortment of art from various media, according to Weelynd McMullan, exhibition coordinator for The Cole Art Center @ The Old Opera House where the exhibition will show from April 12 through June 30.

The School of Art’s annual juried competition and exhibition attracts entrants from across the United States, providing artists an opportunity to have their work juried by highly acclaimed curators, artists and critics, such as this year’s juror, Peter S. Briggs, noted art historian, researcher and curator. A reception on the evening of April 12 will open the exhibition.

Dr. Richard Novak, associate professor of voice at the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor in Belton, will present “Stations of Mychal,” a song cycle commemorating the life, ministry and death of New York Fire Department Chaplain Father Mychal Judge, at 7:30 p.m. tomorrow in Cole Concert Hall.

Dr. Brad Meyer, associate professor of percussion at SFA, will present a faculty recital performing works by Caleb Pickering, Arnor Chu, JacobTV and John Luther Adams at 6 p.m. Monday, Jan. 22, in Cole Concert Hall.

This event features adult language and subject matter that may not be appropriate for some audience members.

Winter weather update: brrrrrrr

While Mother Nature is serving up a bowl of "chilly," we're dishing out some tips to stay warm without turning up the heat.

Visit thespruce.com to find methods to help you stay warm that don't involve increasing your utility bill.