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SFA’s educator preparation program receives national accreditation

By
Luis Ruperto
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The Stephen F. Austin State University educator preparation program has earned a seven-year national accreditation from the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation. 

“Simply put, this accreditation is quality assurance through external peer review,” said Dr. Christina Sinclair, SFA associate dean of assessment and accountability. “When an institution or specialized program is accredited by CAEP, it has demonstrated it meets standards set forth by organizations representing the academic community, professionals and other stakeholders. To maintain accreditation, the institution or program must undergo a similar review on a regular basis, typically every seven to 10 years.”

Several benchmarks must be reached in order to receive accreditation, including annual reporting, a self-study process, formative review and visit to the campus by the CAEP review team. 

CAEP is recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation, which affirms the standards and processes of the accrediting organization are consistent with the academic quality, improvement and accountability expectations CHEA has established, including the eligibility standard that the majority of institutions or programs each accredits are degree granting. 

“Accreditation by CAEP provides a framework that has pushed educator preparations programs to continually self-assess and conduct evidence-based analysis of their programs and efficacy,” Sinclair said. “These evidence-based shifts, rooted in continuous improvement, are helping ensure preparation programs like SFA’s are more likely to produce successful educators.”

Sinclair points out that accreditation matters to a broad audience, including:

  • P-12 learners – Outcomes-based evidence means all learners are at the center of determining effectiveness as educators.
  • Teacher educators – Since the process is infused with research and development, the knowledge base of effective practice will grow.
  • State education agencies – Provides a stronger partner for quality assurance, helps connect the national consensus on preparation to state-level policy and provides support for a state’s own authorization/accountability system.
  • Education professionals – Rigorous standards elevate the profession.

“Educator accreditation by CAEP is a seal of approval that assures quality in educator preparation. Accreditation ensures educator programs prepare new teachers to know their subjects, their students and have the clinical training that allows them to enter the classroom ready to effectively teach,” Sinclair said.

For more information about SFA’s educator preparation program, visit sfasu.edu/coe/student-resources/educator-preparation.

Special Citizenship Class

By
Madi Stephens
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Virtual Open House of the USCIS

(Nacogdoches, TX) – Rosa Ramirez, United States Citizenship & Immigration Services Community Relations Officer, will present a virtual tour and information session of the citizenship interview and exam process on Wednesday, December 8th at 6:00pm at the Nacogdoches Public Library.
Attendees will be able to ask questions about what takes place at the interview and exam so that they are better prepared when it comes time to apply for citizenship. The public library holds a citizenship class every Wednesday. The last session of 2021 will be on December 15th at 5:30pm. Classes will resume January 12th at their new time of 5:30pm. For more information, please call the library staff at (936) 559-2970.

FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) Workshop

By
Madi Stephens
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Workshop at the Nacogdoches Public Library

(Nacogdoches, TX) – The Nacogdoches Public Library staff will present two free workshops on completing the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) for high school juniors and seniors and their parents.

Participants should come prepared with their 2020 W-2s and 2020 IRS tax returns and personally identifiable information, such as date-of-birth and social security numbers. Each student and a parent will need to create an FSA username and password on studentaid.gov, prior to the event.

“Financial aid is available to help students pay for tuition at colleges, universities and vocational and career schools. The application is not difficult, but can feel intimidating the first time families complete it. We want families to know that we can
direct them to help resources so that they don’t risk missing out on aid opportunities,” said Mercedes Franks, library manager. The workshops, offered in English and Spanish, take place Saturday, December 11 at 1:00pm and Tuesday, December 14 at 6:00pm. Please register at www.nactx.us/library or by calling (936) 559-2970.

Roadrunner Soccer Lands Two On All-Region List

By
Gary Stallard
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Mercado, Lopez Led AC to Record Season

Two of the biggest reasons for the Angelina College men’s soccer team’s spectacular 2021 season received their just rewards for their efforts this past week.

Sophomore Ulises Mercado and freshman Juan Lopez landed on the Region XIV All-Region team as announced this past week.

  • Angelina College’s Juan Lopez, a freshman from Palmira, Colombia, earned Region XIV All-Region honors following his record-setting 2021 season. Lopez was among national leaders in both goals scored (13) and total points (30). (Gary Stallard/AC Athletics photo)
  • Angelina College’s Ulises Mercado, a product of North Shore High School in Houston, recently was named to the Region XIV All-Region team following the 2021 season. Mercado finished tied for 11th in the nation in total assists. (Gary Stallard/AC Athletics photo)
  • Angelina College’s Juan Lopez, a freshman from Palmira, Colombia, earned Region XIV All-Region honors following his record-setting 2021 season. Lopez was among national leaders in both goals scored (13) and total points (30). (Gary Stallard/AC Athletics photo)

Mercado, a North Shore High School (Houston) product, elected to return to the Roadrunner program after 2020’s cancellation. He was a primary facilitator and clutch defender for the ‘Runners, finishing with two goals (including one game winner), 10 assists and 14 total points. His numbers left him tied for 11th in the nation in total assists.

Lopez, from Instituto Inte in Palmira, Columbia, set a single-season AC record with 13 goals, including hat tricks in matches against Northeast Texas Community College and Trinity Valley Community College. He added four assists and finished with 30 total points, hitting his shot attempts and a .929 shot percentage while adding two game-winning goals. Lopez finished in the nation’s top 20 in both goals and points.

The Roadrunners compiled a 13-4 record with a two-deep run into the postseason, finishing the year ranked No. 12 in the nation.

The email address for AC’s Sports Information Director is gstallard@angelina.edu.

Closures Planned on SL 287/Moffett Expansion Project

By
Rhonda Oaks
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LUFKIN – For the first time since construction began in February, the construction at the US 59/SL 287 expansion project at Moffett/SH 103 East in Lufkin will impact traffic patterns.

Motorists should prepare for shoulder and lane closures on Monday, Dec. 5 and Tuesday, Dec. 6 in the southbound lanes of US 59. The closure will require US 69 and US 59 to merge to the inside left lane for approximately 2000 feet beginning north of the bridge at Moffett Road. Motorists should expect delays through this area until scheduled work is completed.

Crews will continue construction of a retaining wall, widening the roadway with new main lanes, and construction of a crash wall on the north and south sides of the A&NR Railroad tracks. Drainage structures and driveway work is ongoing. The frontage road to Kit McConnico Park will continue to be closed intermittently.

“This is a high traffic area for motorists traveling US 59 to and from Nacogdoches and US 69,” said Rhonda Oaks, public information officer. “In addition, there is normally heavy truck traffic. We want motorists to reduce speed, stay alert and pack some extra patience through this area on Monday and Tuesday. The closure is necessary to continue construction.”

Longview Bridge and Road Ltd., Longview TX, is serving as contractor for the $19.3 million construction project that was designed and is being constructed to meet interstate standards. The project includes reconstructing main lanes and constructing two north and southbound frontage roads from the US 59/SL 287 overpass at A&NR Railroad and continue from Moffett Road to SH 103 East/Atkinson Drive. The project is expected to be completed in Spring 2023, weather permitting.

This project is dedicated to improving safety, enhancing mobility and providing system connectivity on US 59/SL 287 from SH 103 East (Atkinson Drive) to just south of FM 2021. Motorists are urged to stay alert and obey all traffic control in place through this work zone.

For more information, contact, Rhonda.Oaks@txdot.gov or call (936) 633-4395.

Lumberjacks Cruise to Victory in Return to William R. Johnson Coliseum

By
Luis Ruperto
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The Stephen F. Austin Lumberjacks improved to 6-2 on Wednesday night as they took care of Lincoln by a score of 90-54.

The ‘Jacks started hot as they jumped out to a 24-7 lead in just 10 minutes of play. The team shot 8-13 from the field and 3-5 from three-point range while forcing the opponents to just 3-11 from the floor with 8 turnovers during that 10-minute span. Lincoln was able to get hot and reduce the Lumberjack lead to just 6 points heading into the second half. Roti Ware sparked a 22-5 run in the second half to give the ‘Jacks a 27-point advantage with 8 minutes of play remaining. 

Ware led the charge for the Lumberjacks, as he finished with 20 points on 6-11 shooting with 3 rebounds and a couple of assists. Gavin Kensmil was efficient yet again, picking up 15 points and 8 rebounds. David Kachelries went a perfect 6-6 shooting with 13 points and 5 assists. Jaylin Jackson-Posey was a menace on defense, grabbing 5 steals and a block in addition to 8 points. 

The Lumberjacks shot 56% as a team and 48% from deep while holding the opponents to just 34%. Kensmil and the ‘Jacks dominated the paint once again, winning the battle inside and outscoring Lincoln 40-24. They also added 29 points off turnovers while allowing just 17 the other direction.

The Lumberjacks will look to make it three victories in a row this upcoming Saturday, December 4th against Wiley College at 4:30 p.m. inside William R. Johnson Coliseum. 

TRAFFIC SWITCH PLANNED FOR ZAVALLA

By
Luis Ruperto
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 Motorists traveling US 69 South will experience a traffic switch beginning Dec. 7 onto the new two-lane section of roadway completed recently as part of the US 69 widening construction project.

Traffic will be moved south of Huntington from FM 844 to ¼ mile south of BW Horton Road in Zavalla beginning Tuesday. As the project begins its final phase of construction, the traffic switch will move northbound traffic across the divided median, allowing two lanes of traffic to travel in the northbound section. Southbound traffic will remain in the current single southbound lane.

Motorists approaching US 69 from adjacent farm roads or driveways should stay alert and aware of the new driving patterns. Be cautious before entering any lanes of traffic.

“Nearby residents should remain alert since there will be traffic traveling on the new lanes. Stop and look before entering the roadway on the new northbound lanes and be cautious and alert,” said Rhonda Oaks, public information officer. “We are excited to be able to move traffic to the new travel lanes in this section as construction continues on this project.”

The $68 million construction project is estimated to be completed in July 2022. Johnson Brothers Corp., a Southland Company, Roanoke TX, is serving as contractor for the $68 million project, scheduled to be completed in July 2022, weather permitting.

For more information, contact Rhonda.Oaks@txdot.gov or call (936) 633-4395.

COMMISSIONERS APPROVE NEW CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS

By
Luis Ruperto
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 Texas Transportation Commissioners on Tuesday approved more than $457 million in new construction projects statewide, with more than $13.8 million approved for the Lufkin District.

An annual roadway resurfacing project at locations throughout the nine-county district was approved for $11.7 million. Work is expected to begin in late Spring 2022. A preconstruction meeting will be held prior to work beginning. Clark Construction, San Antonio TX, will serve as contractor for the project. No timeline for completion has been set.

Trinity County was approved for a $1.5 million construction project that includes the bridge replacement on FM 357 at Alabama Creek. Drewery Construction, Nacogdoches TX, will serve as contractor. No timeline for completion has been set.

A $505,300 project was approved for bridge maintenance at various locations throughout the district. FNH Construction, LLC, Plano TX, will serve as contractor for the project. No timeline for completion has been set.

As these projects begin, motorists are urged to stay work zone aware and be alert for moving equipment and workers through the work zones. Obey all traffic control and reduce speed in and near all work zones.

For more information, contact Rhonda.Oaks@txdot.gov or call (936) 633-4395.

Dr. David Creech to be SFA Gardens’ December lecture series speaker

By
Luis Ruperto
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Stephen F. Austin State University’s SFA Gardens will host the monthly Theresa and Les Reeves Lecture Series at 7 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 9, in the Brundrett Conservation Education Building at the Pineywoods Native Plant Center, located at 2900 Raguet St.

Dr. David Creech, SFA Gardens director and professor emeritus of agriculture, will present “SFA Gardens: The Plants, People, and Plans for the Challenges Ahead.”

Creech has been at SFA since September 1978. He received his bachelor’s degree in horticulture from Texas A&M University in 1970, a master’s degree in horticulture from Colorado State University in 1972, and his doctoral degree from Texas A&M in 1978. After a long career in teaching, Creech retired in 2007 but returned to direct SFA Gardens in a part-time position.

Creech’s research interests are varied and include fruits and vegetables, evaluating ornamentals for East Texas, conservation horticulture with endangered plants, salinity studies and, most recently, investigating the potential of kiwifruit as a specialty crop for Texas.

Since 1981, Creech has accumulated a long list of international work in Pakistan, Guatemala, Mexico, Nepal, Israel and China. In the last 21 years, he has undertaken more than 25 consultancies in China, working with the Blueberry Improvement Program and Taxodium Improvement Program at the Nanjing Botanical Garden, as well as connecting with the new plants arena in the China nursery and landscape industries. He is an advocate of increasing forest cover and smart use of land and plant resources.

The Theresa and Les Reeves Lecture Series is held the second Thursday of each month. It is preceded by an attendee social at 6:30 p.m. and a rare plant raffle after the program. The lecture is free and open to the public, but donations to the Theresa and Les Reeves Lecture Series fund are always appreciated.

Parking is available at the PNPC and Raguet Elementary School, located at 2428 Raguet St.

For more information, call (936) 468-4129, or email sfagardens@sfasu.edu.

SFA School of Theatre earns numerous KCACTF honors

By
Luis Ruperto
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The School of Theatre at Stephen F. Austin State University was honored by the Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival with numerous awards and nominations for the school’s fall semester plays “Bootycandy” and “Ajax in Iraq.”

The KCACTF is a national theater program involving 18,000 students annually from colleges and universities across the country. Since its inception, KCACTF has given more than 400,000 college theater students the opportunity to have their work critiqued, improve their dramatic skills, and receive national recognition for excellence.

“We are truly excited and honored that our students have been recognized for their hard work,” said Cleo House Jr., director of the School of Theatre and director of “Bootycandy.” “I believe this is a record number of SFA students to be recognized by KCACTF in one semester. This speaks to the commitment of not only the students, but also to the dedication of our faculty.”

“Bootycandy” is being “held for consideration” for invitation to the regional festival in 2022, which means that it will be a part of a select list of plays and musicals from university productions across Texas, Arkansas, Oklahoma and Louisiana that will be reviewed, discussed and voted on by the regional committee. The committee’s goal is to select/rank the productions that represent “the best of what our region offers,” according to House. Only the top plays will be presented at the regional festival.

“It may sound corny, but it really is an honor just to be nominated, because some excellent theatre is happening in our region and across Texas,” House said.

The School of Theatre presented Robert O’Hara’s play “Bootycandy” for its first Mainstage production in October. The play is a satiric portrait of American life told through the lens of Sutter, a gay Black man on an outrageous odyssey through his childhood home, his church, dive bars, motel rooms and even nursing homes. O’Hara weaves together scenes, sermons, sketches and daring meta-theatrics to create a kaleidoscopic portrayal of growing up gay and Black.

Ellen McLaughlin’s play “Ajax in Iraq” was presented in collaboration with Panola College Theatre in November at the Community House in Center. The play was described as a mash-up of Sophocles’ classic tragedy “Ajax” with the modern-day war in Iraq. The schools sought to help their students and communities gain a better understanding of the difficulties U.S. military members and everyone in their lives endure in dealing with war and its aftermath.

The KCACTF commendations are as follows:

“Bootycandy” – Beaumont junior Andr’e J. Hankerson, Irene Ryan Acting Nominee; Texarkana sophomore Daun (DJ) Whaley, Irene Ryan Acting Nominee; Longview freshman Jaz’Lyn Lewis, Irene Ryan Acting Nominee; Waxahachie sophomore Kiya Green, Meritorious Achievement in Acting; Nacogdoches senior Ty Carter, Meritorious Achievement in Acting; Katy senior Alexis Hargy, Meritorious Achievement in Assistant Directing; Cleo House Jr., Meritorious Achievement in Directing; McKinney senior Carson Cook, Meritorious Achievement in Lighting Design; Splendora junior Stephen Bradley, Meritorious Achievement in Properties Design; and cast of “Bootycandy,” Meritorious Achievement Ensemble.

“Ajax in Iraq” – Allen senior Sara Clark, Irene Ryan Acting Nominee; Katy freshman Astrid Maldonado, Irene Ryan Acting Nominee; Cushing junior Drake Willis, Irene Ryan Acting Nominee; Lufkin junior Chance Chunn, Meritorious Achievement in Stage Management; Houston senior Elizabeth Bobbitt, Meritorious Achievement in Stage Management; Ponder sophomore Connor Molen, Meritorious Achievement in Consent Forward Practices; and The Woodlands senior Dorie Bloodworth, Meritorious Achievement in Assistant Directing.

For more information about the SFA School of Theatre, call (936) 468-4003 or visit theatre.sfasu.edu.

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