Stephen F Austin State University - Stone Fort Yearbook (Nacogdoches, TX)

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Student Life Why is Nacogdoches considered an exceptional place to live? The town is so pretty and the neighborhoods are nice, said Eyvonne Herod, long time Nacogdoches resident and physical therapy aide at the Nacogdoches Treatment Center. She enjoys the university being located here as it gives local residents an excellent opportunity to further their education. Debbie DiStefano, owner of Calico Hill Day Care Center and an SFA graduate, commented, I enjoy driving around and looking at the lovely old houses. We have the nicest neighborhoods. Student Life-19

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College life involves more than studying Going to college was time spent devoted to learning, studying and growing intellectually . . . right? Well, not always. College lifestyles provided a unique blend of learning and playing, responsibility and freedom. With full class schedules, most students were required to study at least a few hours per week. Serious students often spent extra time in the library while others chose to study in groups or more informal settings. For some SFA students, however, studying was secondary to more diversified activities. Extracurricular activities provided a major part of college life for many students. Intramural sports and Greek organizations were popular on the SFA campus and they provided students with a much-needed break from routine classwork. Another major part of college life was dorm living. Dorms provided students with a transition from dependence on parents to a more independent adult lifestyle. Students were able to set their own hours and make their own rules, with only a few restrictions. Dorm recreation included late-night gossip sessions, popcorn feasts, panty raids and hall football games. Other dorm residents busied themselves with such pursuits as pennying doors, short-sheeting beds and shooting firecrackers. Cafeteria food was one aspect of dorm life that was not generally considered pleasant. Students dined on such delicacies as Malochi steak, shrimp shapes and old orange cake. Occasional steak dinners and the salad bar were among the more popular offerings while beef tips, Chinese food and stuffed flounder were items to be avoided. Many other typical college activities flourished at SFA. Impromptu games of Frisbee golf and touch football were frequent. Students also jogged and walked around campus to exercise and relieve school-related tensions. During warmer months (and even not so warm ones), many students flocked to Griffith Beach and the Ag Pond to soak up some sun. Nightlife in Nacogdoches provided yet another diversion from studying. The three major clubs, BJ ' s and Crossroads, held drink specials to draw in weeknight crowds as well as regular Friday and Saturday night groups. The GC ran current movies for one dollar and local theaters offered matinee prices on Tuesday nights. Fraternities and campus organizations held parties on most weekends and some weeknights for another inexpensive means of entertainment. College lifestyles were different from any other time in life. Most students were able to participate in numerous activities to break the monotony of studying, but the emphasis of college still remained on learning and academic pursuits. — Sherri Powdrill 1. Amber Leake, Piano freshman, and Julie Hobkirk, Houston freshman, roller skate around campus for exercise and enjoyment.