In what President Baker Pattillo called “one of the most important decisions the board will make in the next five years,” the Stephen F. Austin State University Board of Regents on Tuesday approved a comprehensive strategic plan for the institution.

As recommended by the 21-member Strategic Planning Committee, which included SFA faculty, staff and administrators, the plan outlines six university initiatives that will drive every aspect of the university through the year 2013.

The initiatives include: enhancing excellence in teaching and learning, research, scholarship, creative work and service; improving faculty and staff compensation, recognition and support; increasing undergraduate and graduate enrollment; developing a learner-centered environment; creating new learning opportunities through additional interdisciplinary, international, service learning and civic engagement experiences; and increasing the visibility of the university through marketing initiatives.

“The plan is not meant to be complete as far as the action items under each strategy, but we believe the strategies and initiatives provide a framework in which we can develop our operational plans in the years to come,” Dr. Richard Berry, provost and vice president of academic affairs, said in presenting the plan for the board’s consideration.

Regent Richard Boyer called the strategic plan “concise and informative” and said it should be used as the “blue print” during future budget discussions.

“I commend the committee who put this together for the really ambitious time frame. It is goal-oriented and not easily achievable without the commitment from the university to really make this happen.”

The new strategic plan was referenced numerous times throughout the meeting, as regents considered various capital-improvement needs of the university, the most urgent being new classroom and laboratory facilities for the chemistry department.

After hearing presentations from three architectural firms during the building and grounds committee meeting Monday, the regents selected Perkins + Will to assess the academic space needs for the department and provide possible solutions. President Pattillo said, depending on the firm’s findings and the type of funding available, the university could renovate or add on to the existing chemistry building, utilize other available space, construct a new building or plan some combination thereof.

“This is going to be a very complicated project that will be ongoing for the next several months,” he said.

Regents also authorized the president to sign a contract with JE Dunn Construction to serve as construction manager at risk for the new $13 million Richard and Lucille DeWitt School of Nursing. A bid by J.E. Kingham Construction Company that regents had previously considered recently was withdrawn. The new nursing facility is being constructed on a 17-acre property on the north side of Nacogdoches donated to SFA by Lucille and the late Richard DeWitt.

On the recommendation of the university administration, the regents also approved adding a doctoral program in the Department of Human Services in the James I. Perkins College of Education. Pending approval from the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board, a Ph.D. in school psychology will be offered at SFA beginning fall 2009. Doctoral degrees in educational leadership and forestry are currently offered at SFA.

Regents approved an operating budget of $186.5 million for the 2008-09 fiscal year. The budget includes a $9 per-semester-credit-hour increase in designated tuition and a 2.7-percent increase in room and board, along with a 3-percent salary increase merit pool for faculty and staff.

The 2008-09 capital budget adopted by regents totals $15.7 million and will fund improvements to campus lighting and signage, as well as improvements to Johnson Coliseum, Turner Auditorium and other university facilities. The university will spend up to $3 million in funds from savings and designated fund balance to replace the air-handling equipment in the old section of the Baker Pattillo Student Center . Regents also approved $335,000 in repairs to two outdated elevators in Garner Apartments.

Regents approved the 2008-2009 holiday schedule, the Summer I small class list and changes to the intercollegiate athletic policy and procedure manual, as well as the non-traditional delivery of some SFA programs. An agreement establishing the Dean’s Circle as a support organization for the university and the College of Fine Arts was approved.

A 20-year lease agreement between SFA and the City of Nacogdoches for use of baseball and softball facilities located within the city complex was approved at the meeting. In addition, approximately $253,500 in gifts originally intended for use in the construction of a new university baseball facility will be used to make improvements at the city complex. The purchase of a new road bus for travel use by athletics and other departments also was approved.

Regents approved the issuance of HEF bonds for the construction of the Early Childhood Research Center and tuition revenue bonds for a campus deferred maintenance reduction plan. The board also approved the project budget for the university’s new reporting system, Banner Axcess, as well as the purchase of a time-management and reporting software system for use by the physical plant and other departments.

The board approved a contract with the State Office of Risk Management for directors and officers and automotive insurance and a contract for general liability as approved by SORM. The university’s contract with Merrill Lynch to manage SFA’s external funds also was approved, as were agreements for the purchase of electric, water, sewer, landfill, natural gas and vending services for fiscal year 2009.

Revisions to university policies were approved and reports heard from the university president, director of audit services, faculty senate chair and student government president.

With performances ranging from bluegrass, gypsy jazz and a Broadway musical to classical concerts, opera, dance and drama, the Stephen F. Austin State University College of Fine Arts' 2008-2009 University Series provides a broad spectrum of live entertainment.

"We're bringing in five highly acclaimed touring groups, complemented by four of our best university musical and theatrical performances to create a season we've dubbed 'Your green light to entertainment,'" said A.C. "Buddy" Himes, dean of the SFA College of Fine Arts.

"And the four art exhibitions of photography, Texas artists, intricately cut paper and 'sewn drawings' included in the series provide even more opportunities for East Texans to get out and take advantage of the fine arts available virtually in their own backyard," he continued.

The series will open on Thursday, Sept. 11, with a return engagement of the John Jorgenson Quintet, a group that specializes in gypsy jazz.

"Led by jazz guitarist John Jorgenson, the group of world-class musicians prompted repeated standing ovations here two years ago," said John W. Goodall, associate dean of the College of Fine Arts. "We're excited to be bringing the quintet back so that those who missed them the last time can join the sure-to-return patrons for a highly energetic and entertaining concert, suitable for the entire family."

The first art exhibition on the series, "Lynn Saville: Night Vision," will open at 6 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 3, in The Cole Art Center @ The Old Opera House. Saville will be present for the opening to discuss her nighttime photographs, and patrons can pre-register for a post-opening photography expedition with the celebrated artist. The exhibition continues through Friday, Dec. 12.

The Orchestra of the Pines, a regional symphony orchestra directed by Gene H. Moon, director of orchestral activities at SFA, will present "Grandeur and Virtuosity" on Saturday, Oct. 18. The program will feature the William Tell Overture, Jean Sibelius' Symphony No. 2 and pianist Kwan Yi, the winner of the 2008 Schmidbauer Competition, performing Franz Liszt's Second Piano Concerto.

On Thursday, Oct. 23, the Hugo Wolf Quartett will perform music spanning the late 18th century to contemporary jazz works by Kenny Wheeler.

"This promises to be an excellent concert," said Goodall. "Founded at the Vienna Conservatory, the group is one of the most sought-after string quartets currently touring."

The SFA School of Theatre and School of Music will present "Big River: The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn" Tuesday, Nov. 18, through Saturday, Nov. 22.

"This hilarious, heartfelt musical tells Mark Twain's unforgettable tale of adventure and friendship using country-western and gospel-inspired songs by legendary Roger Miller," said Scott Shattuck, director of the play and the SFA School of Theatre. "No wonder it won seven Tony Awards, including Best Musical!"

At 6 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 21, "Texas Modernists: Selections from the Collection of Carl R. McQueary" will open in The Cole Art Center. McQueary will speak about the exhibition which explores the development of the Modernist movement in Texas and features artists such as Michael Frary, Donald Weismann and Ralph White, explained Christian Cutler, director of SFA galleries. The show runs through Sunday, March 8.

Cherryholmes, a regular act on the "Grand Old Opry," will present its bluegrass Christmas special on Tuesday, Nov. 25.

Billed as "America's new first family of bluegrass," the group is known for its hard-driving instrumental virtuosity and explosive vocal harmonies, Goodall said. "This will be a tremendous show for the whole family and a great way to get in to the holiday spirit."

"Cutting Fine: Cutting Deep," an exhibition of silhouettes, dioramas, stencils, paper lacework and pop-up drawings, will open at 6 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 5, in Griffith Gallery and continue through Sunday, Feb. 8. The show includes work by five artists from the Swiss scherenschnitt (scissor cutting) tradition and six contemporary artists from North America.

On Friday, Jan. 23, "Everything Old is New Again: The Sewn Drawings of China Marks" will open at 6 p.m. in The Cole Art Center and run through Sunday, March 15. Marks creates her narrative, large-scale works by fusing patterned scraps of fabric to large cloth backgrounds and "drawing" on the "canvas" with an industrial sewing machine, explained Cutler.

The Saint Louis Brass will perform a wide spectrum of musical selections on Friday, Feb. 6. The quintet's exciting and engaging program, combined with virtuoso playing of works ranging from Baroque to contemporary, regularly brings audiences to their feet, Goodall said.

The SFA School of Theatre will present Bernard Pomerance's "The Elephant Man" Tuesday, Feb. 24, through Saturday, Feb. 28. The touching drama, which received the 1979 Tony Award for Best Play, is based on the true story of the deformed John (Joseph) Merrick and Dr. Frederick Treves' attempts to integrate him into London society, explained Allen Oster, SFA professor of theatre and the play's director.

On Saturday, March 7, the Parsons Dance Company will bring athleticism, exuberant personality and joyous movement to the stage, according to Goodall. "David Parson's brilliant choreography fuses the gestures and movements of modern dance with the discipline and precise execution expected from classical dancers," he continued.

The 2008-2009 University Series will close with the SFA School of Music's production of one the masterpieces of operatic literature, sung in English, Thursday, April 2, through Saturday, April 4. The title will be announced in the fall.

All concerts and staged productions on the University Series will begin at 7:30 p.m. in W.M. Turner Auditorium, located in the Griffith Fine Arts Building, 2222 Alumni Dr. All seats are reserved. Griffith Gallery is also located in the Griffith Fine Arts Building, and The Cole Art Center @ The Old Opera House is located at 329 E. Main St. in downtown Nacogdoches. Both galleries are open 12:30 to 5 p.m., Tuesday through Sunday.

Season tickets for the University Series are now on sale through the Fine Arts Box Office. They range from $125 to $185, with discounts available for seniors, students, youth and SFA faculty and staff.

"These are fantastic prices for quality entertainment," exclaimed Diane Flynn, Box Office manager. "Season tickets provide a 25 percent savings over single tickets, and patrons can have their same seat throughout the season."

"Plus, we offer two season ticket options," she said. "The classic package includes one ticket to each of the nine performances, and the TixMix package allows the patrons to create their own nine-ticket season. Just call or come by the Box Office, and we'll be glad to help!"

Single-event ticket orders for the University Series or any of the other performances presented through the College of Fine Arts will be filled beginning Friday, Aug. 15.

For more information on the 2008-2009 season, visit www.sfasu.edu/finearts, stop by the Box Office in Room 211B of the Griffith Fine Arts Building, or call (936) 468-6407 or (888) 240-ARTS.

Orchestra students in grades six through 12 can still register for the Stephen F. Austin State University School of Music's Orchestra Camp to be held Sunday, July 27, through Friday, Aug. 1, on the SFA campus.

"We have an energetic week planned, filled with great music making and activities," said Gene H. Moon, director of the camp and of orchestral activities at SFA.

The daily schedule includes rehearsals, sectionals, All-State clinics and master classes designed to strengthen the students' musical skills in a supportive, dynamic atmosphere, explained Moon. After dinner, students will participate in a variety of supervised recreational activities, including swimming and volleyball.

The camp concludes with the two camp orchestras performing a concert that is open to the public.

Working with the students will be a distinguished group of music educators and performing artists, explained Moon. SFA assistant professor Dr. Jennifer Dalmas and Meredith Maddox, instructor at the University of Arkansas, Little Rock, will work with the violinists.

Dr. Melissa Lewis, director of orchestras at Southern Nazarene University in Bethany, Okla., will work with the violists, and Dr. Evgeni Raychev, of the SFA music faculty, will teach the cellists and double basses.

The two orchestras formed during the camp will be conducted by Moon and Justin Pourtorkan, director of orchestras at the Classen School of Advanced Studies in Oklahoma City.

More information and registrations forms for the camp are available at the SFA School of Music's Web site, www.music.sfasu.edu/orchestra. Questions can be addressed to Moon via e-mail at moongh@sfasu.edu or by calling (936) 468-3885. Registration deadline is Monday, July 21.

Along with the townspeople scurrying to complete their errands and the

	2008 photo – SFA students recently took this photograph of the downtown square from the same vantage point as the 1882 photograph.

tourists trolling the brick streets for antiques, some photography students from Stephen F. Austin State University are in downtown Nacogdoches this summer seeking windows into history.

They are guided by a stack of grainy, black and white photographs, some more than a century old, depicting daily life in the oldest town in Texas, which appears to have been buzzing with activity even in its horse-and-wagon days.

The photography students are using those old photos, along with historic maps of the downtown area, to painstakingly recreate the shots in modern-day downtown Nacogdoches . Their new images, created with digital cameras and state-of-the-art computer software, show just how much things have changed over the decades – and just how much they haven’t.

“It’s a really weird feeling to be standing in that same place and look down at the old photo and then look up at the current view and see what is different and what is the same, said Christopher Talbot, assistant professor of art. “In many cases, there are telephone poles standing in exactly the same places.”

The 20 participating students are enrolled in Talbot’s Advanced Digital Media and Advanced Photographic Processes classes for the Summer I semester. The students’ work will be preserved for posterity in a limited number of self-published, hardback books to be created when the project is concluded. The students also are blogging about their daily progress and posting some of their photos at www.nacnowandthen.blogspot.com.

“It’s really cool to be part of a project that will have a lasting impact beyond the class itself,” said Kathryn Gray, a senior English major from Bay City . “As a student, it is also great to have something like this to include in your portfolio.”

1882 photo – This 1882 photo of the historic Plaza Principal in Nacogdoches is one of 25 historic snapshots of the city that SFA students are re-creating this summer for a class project.

For each of the 25 historic photo shoots being recreated, the class is going to great lengths to ensure the vantage point from which the photo is taken is as close to the original as possible. In many cases, that means standing in the middle of a downtown street, where traffic now is considerably heavier than it was in the 1800s.

For other photographs, the students have staked out rooftops or borrowed office space in downtown buildings to get just the right photographic perspective.

“We’ve had to talk to a lot of different property owners to gain the access we needed, and so far everyone downtown has been very cooperative,” Talbot said.

To recreate a photo taken during a fair on Main Street in Nacogdoches in 1910, the students headed downtown June 14 for the annual Texas Blueberry Festival. Their photo, shot from a rooftop at the corner of Main and Church streets, is remarkably similar to the original.

Both depict fairgoers meandering up and down the crowded street on a sunny day.

	Blended photo – This image is a blend of both the old and new photographs.

The students also are experimenting with “blending” old photographs with new. The resulting image is like visual time warp, a single photo taken in two different centuries.

The nature of the project has required Talbot’s students to learn more about Nacogdoches’ colorful history, something senior Paul Holroyd didn’t really expect when he signed up for photography class.

“Before now, I would just sort of pass through downtown and not think much about it,” said Holroyd, a photography major from Hewitt. “But this project has given me a new appreciation for the community’s history.”

The class’ images will be exhibited along with the historic originals at the Cole Art Center @ The Old Opera House in downtown Nacogdoches in July. For more information about the exhibit, contact the SFA Arts Information Office at (936) 468-6407.