Long recognized for its scenic surroundings, Stephen F. Austin State University is becoming equally noted for its academic excellence. Established as a teacher's college in 1921 by the Texas State Legislature and officially opening in 1923, SFA has evolved into a nationally respected institution of higher learning. The college was named in honor of Stephen F. Austin.
Austin, known as the "Father of Texas" and an early Republic of Texas leader, established the first American colony in Texas in 1822 after receiving permission from the Spanish government.
Located in Nacogdoches, the oldest town in Texas, SFA has maintained its character as a student-oriented institution which offers a level of excellence in academic and student life programs in a picturesque setting unique among other state institutions.
The university campus, characterized by towering pine trees and an infinite variety of year-round flowers, particularly comes alive in the spring when the dogwoods and azaleas splash their vivid colors. From its origin as a small teachers college with 158 students, SFA has evolved into a university with seven colleges of instruction.
The university's enrollment currently stands at roughly 11,000 students in long terms and 5,000 in each summer term.
Even though East Texas is a leading source of students, large numbers also come from metropolitan Houston and Dallas areas with all areas of the state represented on campus. The SFA student population is also enhanced by approximately 34 other states and 15 foreign countries.
In addition to a broad range of undergraduate and graduate programs in traditional humanities, sciences, fine arts, business and education, SFA also includes applied offerings such as agriculture, communication and forestry, and a wide variety of human service programs such as nursing, social work and criminal justice. Approximately 10 pre-professional programs are available with more than 75 percent of SFA's pre-medical and pre-dental graduates accepted to professional schools.
SFA ranks as one of the top teacher preparation institutions in the state. The university has also been recognized as being among the leaders in graduation rate for student athletes of any Southland Conference institution.
A dedicated 400-plus faculty, most with terminal degrees, provides the impetus for academic pursuits.
A pleasant blend of old and new buildings, including some 30 academic structures, offers a rare combination, reminiscent of the past but suggestive of the future.
The main campus includes 401 acres, part of the original homestead of Thomas J. Rusk, early Texas patriot and U.S. senator. In addition, SFA maintains the 477-acre Walter Todd Beef Farm for beef and poultry production, an experimental forest and a forestry field station on Lake Sam Rayburn.
The Physics Department also operates the second largest observatory in the Central Time Zone. The facility is one of only a few in the world of its size which permits regular use by advanced undergraduates and graduate students. The largest telescope at the observatory, a 41" telescope, is the second largest in the state of Texas and the second largest in the Central Time Zone.
Last year, the university also acquired a new facility in Nacogdoches that is being utilized as a training facility for graduate students in the university's environmental sciences program.
SFA's student body is largely residential in nature. The 15 residence halls and four student apartment complexes provide students with comfortable, modern housing.
In keeping with the historical past of Nacogdoches, founded first by Indians and later occupied by Spaniards, SFA features the Stone Fort Museum, reconstructed on campus in 1936. Thousands of visitors annually tour the museum which contains exhibits portraying the early pioneer days and rich heritage of East Texas.
In its seven decades of existence, SFA has produced an alumni base approaching 80,000. They are the heritage of the university. The future holds great promise indeed as Stephen F. Austin State University continues its service to Texas and the nation.
With a rich tradition and a promising future, Stephen F. Austin State University is well prepared to accept the challenges of education in the 21st century.
