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NACOGDOCHES, TEXAS - During the opening reception of Texas National 2014 in The Cole Art Center @ The Old Opera House, juror Jerome Witkin announced the winners of the annual competition and exhibition presented by the Stephen F. Austin State University's School of Art.

Shelby Shadwell of Laramie, Wyo., received first-place honors for "A Universal Picture 11, 2014," while Pharr, Texas, artist Veronica Jaeger earned second place for "Fallen, 2012," and Columbia, Mo., artist Matthew Ballou won third for "Strategic Influences, 2013."

NACOGDOCHES, Texas - The 2014 Bright Ideas Conference highlighting faculty research, scholarship and artistry at Stephen F. Austin State University will be held Thursday, May 1, in the Baker Pattillo Student Center. The public is invited, and admission is free.

More than 90 research posters and scholarly exhibits will be on display from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. in the Grand Ballroom. Spotlight exhibits will be featured in the Twilight Ballroom along with refreshments. An invitation-only awards ceremony and luncheon will take place from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

NACOGDOCHES, TEXAS - For more than 90 years, the words "Let's Have a Parade" have signaled the beginning of the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade to revelers along the streets of New York City and tuned in around the world. In November 2015, those watching the event will hear the boldest sound from the oldest town - the Stephen F. Austin State University Lumberjack Marching Band.

The band will take Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵ's purple and white to the streets of the Big Apple for the parade on Nov. 26, 2015, the event's organizers announced Tuesday.

NACOGDOCHES, Texas - The Stephen F. Austin State University College of Fine Arts and School of Music will present the Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵ Percussion Ensemble, directed by Dr. Brad Meyer, performing its annual spring concert at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, April 30, in Cole Concert Hall on the Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵ campus.

The concert - "Pieces for a Crowded Stage" - is so titled because all the compositions being performed are either for small chamber ensembles (five performers or less) or use multiple performers playing on one instrument, according to Meyer.

NACOGDOCHES, Texas - The Stephen F. Austin State University Wind Symphony, under the direction of David W. Campo, will present "Stars and Dreams - Music of the Spheres" at 7:30 p.m. Monday, April 28, in W.M. Turner Auditorium on the Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵ campus.

The concert is a presentation of the Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵ College of Fine Arts and School of Music and will feature the world premiere a selection commissioned to honor Fred J. Allen, director of bands at Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵ.

NACOGDOCHES, Texas - The Beta Phi cast of Alpha Psi Omega at Stephen F. Austin State University will host its annual "Spring in the Park" event for the community from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, April 27, in Pecan Acres Park.

Among the activities will be carnival games, a kickball tournament, a hotdog-eating contest, face painting and more. Tickets will be sold for some of the games, and those attending are encouraged to bring a picnic lunch to enjoy a meal outdoors.

NACOGDOCHES, Texas - A recent $497,346 grant from the National Science Foundation will make way for critically needed upgrades to Stephen F. Austin State University's cyber infrastructure network, allowing the university to greatly advance capacity and knowledge in data-driven research across a variety of STEM disciplines - Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics.

NACOGDOCHES, TX - The Deep East Texas P-16 Council is encouraging communities, businesses and schools in Nacogdoches and Angelina counties to join the state of Texas in celebrating GenTX Day by wearing a college T-shirt on Friday, May 2. GenTX Day is part of Generation TX, a statewide initiative supported by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board focused on building a college-going, career-ready culture across the state.

NACOGDOCHES, Texas - Students in the Music Preparatory Division of the Stephen F. Austin State University School of Music will present their spring recitals beginning April 29 and continuing through May 18.

"The students have worked hard this semester in order to bring their gift of music to parents, families and friends," said Pat Barnett, division director.

Paisley Cosby, left, and Mason Majors, students at the Stephen F. Austin State University Early Childhood Lab, are pushed on the swings by members of the men's basketball team during a "Meet the Lumberjacks and Ladyjacks" event on the school playground Tuesday. The children posed for photos, played games and shared snacks with members of both championship teams.