Faculty and staff from the JacksTeach program in the College of Sciences and Mathematics were recognized for successfully building a complete STEM teacher preparation program at the annual UTeach STEM Educators Conference at The University of Texas at Austin.

Beginning in 2019, JacksTeach received funding from the Greater Texas Foundation, the T.L.L. Temple Foundation and the James I. Perkins Family Foundation to bring the UTeach model to SFA.

To learn how you can help recruit College of Sciences and Mathematics students to try teaching, contact jacksteach@sfasu.edu.

SFA is extending the deadline for initial eligibility and renewals for the Purple Promise Guarantee Program to July 1. New students must be admitted to SFA as a regular degree-seeking student by that date. Both new and renewal students must complete all financial aid requirements by July 1, including the receipt of a valid FAFSA by the Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships. For complete eligibility and renewal requirements, visit the Purple Promise Guarantee Program webpage.

The following university policies have been revised in accordance with the Handbook of Operating Procedures Stakeholder Review Plan associated with each policy. These policies were approved by Dr. Neal Weaver, SFA president, effective May 30.

• 04-110 Institutional Absences

• 05-405 Juanita Curry Boynton House

View the policies at Handbook of Operating Procedures. For details regarding the revisions, contact April Smith at alsmith@sfasu.edu.

SFA’s Residence Life has seen an increase in both first-year and returning resident applications, which is great news for our Lumberjack family. To accommodate this growth, Res Life is reopening two residence halls: South Hall and Hall 10. These buildings were previously closed due to a decrease in demand for on-campus housing, but we are pleased to bring them back into service.

Res Life also has extended the deadline to cancel housing and receive a full deposit to 11:59 p.m. June 9. For more information, visit sfasu.edu/reslife.

Faculty and staff are asked to complete an Employee Wellness survey for feedback on current wellness services and to better understand needs and preferences. Your valuable input on this survey, which take three to five minutes to complete, will help enhance the employee wellness program.

For more information, contact Livia Pierce at employeewellness@sfasu.edu or ext. 2495.

SFA's Staff Council will hold a meeting at 10 a.m. Monday, June 10, in McGee Business Building, Room 133, and via Zoom.

Shannon Bowman, SFA Makerspace librarian, will provide a Makerspace overview. Additionally, Heather Catton, Office of International Programs director, and Inés Maxit, OIP coordinator, will discuss opportunities to explore the world at SFA.

The meeting agenda is available on the meeting information page.

SFA Gardens will host the monthly Theresa and Les Reeves Lecture Series at 7 p.m. June 13 in the Brundrett Conservation Education Building at the Pineywoods Native Plant Center.

Dawn Stover, study leader at the East Texas Plant Materials Center within the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Natural Resources Conservation Service, will present “Unleashing the Flower Fairy: The Evolution of the Southern Garden Girl.”

Human Resources is hosting in-depth sessions about the hiring toolkit. These sessions are for any staff or faculty who either serve on a committee or have hiring process responsibilities.

June trainings are every Wednesday. Access Zoom links on the HR webpage under the "Professional/Personal Development" tab.

SFA departments, programs and organizations are invited to advertise in The Pine Log's upcoming 2024 Welcome Edition. 

This special print issue will be mailed to the home of every incoming first-year and transfer student in early August. This is an excellent opportunity to share important information with this specific group of students and their families. 

See on-campus ad rates or email pinelogads@sfasu.edu for more information.

Applications for the live mascot positions of Lumberjack and Ladyjack are now open.

If you know students who may be a good fit for one of these positions, encourage them to complete the 2024-25 SFA mascot application.

Campus Recreation will offer Group Axe classes beginning this week. Whether you're interested in yoga, cycling, Pilates or barre, Campus Rec has something for you. To view class schedules, visit Campus Rec's website.

For more information about fitness and wellness services, contact Jescelyn.madrigal@sfasu.edu.

Want to relax by the pool, listen to live music and play yard games? Make sure to stop by the first event of Campus Recreation's Summer Music Series from 5 to 7 p.m. Friday, June 7, with music by Ben Idom and Johnny Mullins.

In appreciation of SFA faculty and staff's hard work, this event is free of charge.

SFA’s Department of Athletics has accepted an invitation to join the Southland Conference as a full-time member effective July 1.

The acceptance into the SLC reunites SFA with the conference where they spent 34 seasons and amassed 111 conference championships. Women’s basketball and volleyball led the way with 18 conference titles, followed by soccer with 14, and women’s indoor and outdoor track with 10 titles each. Women’s cross-country has won eight titles; men’s basketball and men’s cross-country have won five; football, softball and men’s indoor track each have four; and men’s and women’s golf each have three conference titles.

Registration for Kyle Keller Basketball Camps is now open. These camps offer an excellent opportunity to improve your skills and learn from SFA men’s basketball players and coaches during the summer. SFA faculty and staff are eligible for special pricing. For more information, contact Brady Mast at mastbr@jacks.sfasu.edu.

Lil Dribblers I:

Ages: Incoming kindergarten through third grade

Date: 8 a.m. to noon, June 10-12

Day Camp I:

Ages: Incoming fourth through 12th grade

Date: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., June 10 -13

Day Camp II:

Ages: Incoming eighth through 12th grade

Date:8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., June 24-27

Day Camp III:

Ages: Incoming kindergarten through seventh grade

Date: 8 a.m. to noon, July 8-11

We all could use a laugh every once in a while.

Maybe you are sad most students are gone, or that Texas summer is coming in (very) hot – don’t worry, you’re not alone. If you’re feeling the blues, take a look at these photos of funny pets. From acrobatic canines to cats stuck in unusual places, these surely will brighten your day!