SFA to honor 2025 alumni award recipients, athletics hall of fame inductees at new Lumberjack Legacies celebration

NACOGDOCHES, Texas -- Stephen F. Austin State University will honor its 2025 alumni award recipients and SFA Athletics Hall of Fame inductees at 6 p.m. Friday, Sept. 19, at The Fredonia Hotel in Nacogdoches.

This year, SFA's Division of University Advancement and Department of Athletics have joined forces to launch a new event format and name: Lumberjack Legacies. The spirited evening will honor the accomplishments and impact of SFA alumni.

"These honorees exemplify the very best of the Lumberjack spirit," said Craig Turnage, executive director of alumni relations. "Their contributions in their professions, their communities and to SFA demonstrate the legacy of excellence that continues to define our alumni."

This year's alumni award honorees are Gerald W. Schlief, Distinguished Alumni Award; Maj. Laterrious "Tony" Starks, EdD, Outstanding Young Alumni Award; and Ashley and Jim Morgan, Lumberjack Pride Award. The SFA Athletics Hall of Fame inductees are Robert Hill and Frednisha "Freddie" Marshall Jackson.

The Lumberjack Legacies ceremony, which is open to the public, will begin at 6 p.m. with a reception followed by the program at 7:30 p.m. Guests are encouraged to attend in spirited cocktail attire. Tickets are $125 per person or $1,500 for a table of 10. To purchase tickets, visit sfaalumni.com/events; email Amie Ford, community engagement coordinator, at [email protected]; or call the Office of Alumni Relations at (936) 468-3407 by Sept. 5.

Distinguished Alumni Award

Gerald W. "Jerry" Schlief '70

Schlief, of Fredericksburg, enrolled in SFA on a tennis scholarship and earned a Bachelor of Business Administration in accounting in 1970. During his time at SFA, he was an ROTC cadet, varsity tennis athlete and a member of the Kappa Alpha Order fraternity and the Beta Gamma Sigma honor society. Later, he earned a Master of Business Administration from the University of Utah while serving in the U.S. Army.

A certified public accountant in Texas, Schlief launched his career and distinguished himself as an innovative leader in the independent oil and gas industry in Houston and internationally. He is the president, CEO and founder of Auterra Resources, which was formed in 2018 pursuant to the acquisition of a 100% interest in 40,000 acres in Gonzales County, Texas. Schlief also is the president, CEO and founder of Auterra Energy, formed in 2013 to participate in conventional oil and gas exploration opportunities in Texas and Louisiana.

In 2006, Schlief and his wife, Candy, were inducted into the Stephen F. Austin Society for their generous gifts to the university after establishing the Gerald W. Schlief School of Accountancy. The Schliefs also made a significant contribution to complete construction of the Gerald and Candace Schlief Tennis Complex in 2007 and to the Gerald and Candy Schlief Lobby in the McGee Business Building, which was dedicated in 2022. Schlief has served on the SFASU Foundation Board of Trustees and its Finance Committee since 2008. He has more recently served as chair since 2021. In fall 2021, Schlief delivered the commencement addresses during the university's three graduation ceremonies.

Outstanding Young Alumni Award

Maj. Laterrious "Tony" Starks, EdD '10

Starks, of Dallas, earned a Bachelor of Science in political science from SFA in 2010, Master of Arts in legal studies from American Military University in 2013, Master of Professional Studies in legislative affairs from The George Washington University in 2021, and Doctor of Education in organizational leadership and conflict resolution from Abilene Christian University in 2024.

Starks was commissioned as an adjutant general corps officer branched detailed to field artillery in 2010 through SFA's ROTC program. While at the university, he was involved in student leadership and service initiatives. He served as vice president of the Student Government Association, president of the Residence Hall Association and student coordinator in the former Office of Multicultural Affairs. He also was elected Homecoming king and Mr. SFA, honors that reflected his campuswide impact and commitment to fostering an inclusive and engaged student community.

Currently, Starks serves as the special assistant to the president and White House social aide program manager. In this capacity, he advises on all matters concerning military customs and courtesies and coordinates military ceremonial support for the president and the first lady.

Prior to this assignment, Starks served as a U.S. Army legislative liaison, acting as the primary interface with congressional offices on issues related to the Army. He also served as a congressional defense fellow for a U.S. congressman. From 2018 to 2020, Starks was the operations officer to the chief of staff of U.S. Army Europe, where he was responsible for synchronizing and providing administrative support to a staff of 4,000 personnel. Earlier, he served as the USAREUR G1 chief of analytics, managing readiness reporting across the European theater.

Starks previously commanded the Army's only military linguist company at the Joint Readiness Training Center, providing interpretation, translation and cultural support to Army, joint and special operations forces globally. From 2014 to 2016, he served as the human resource officer for 1st Battalion (Airborne), 509th Infantry Regiment, supporting the administrative needs of 650 soldiers for worldwide contingency operations.

Starks' international assignments include service as aide-de-camp to the 8th Army deputy commanding general in South Korea and as operations officer for the secretary combined joint staff of the United Nations Command, combined forces command and U.S. Forces Korea. He also served as headquarters commandant and deputy chief of protocol for the 2nd Infantry Division, overseeing command-level events and resources.

Lumberjack Pride Award

Ashley and Jim Morgan '98

The Morgans, of Georgetown, own the historic McKinney Morgan House, a vacation rental home in Nacogdoches.

Ashley earned her Bachelor of Arts in communications and political science from SFA in 1998 and a law degree from The University of Texas School of Law in 2007 before spending her entire career working in and around state government. In addition to serving under two Texas governors, Ashley worked in the Texas House of Representatives, Texas Senate, Office of the Attorney General and several state agencies. She now works for an Austin-based legal and governmental affairs firm. She also serves as a mentor for UT Law students and was recently selected to join the UT System Chancellor's Council Executive Committee.

Jim earned his Bachelor of Science in environmental science from SFA in 1998. He has worked in numerous industries during his career, including timber, oil and gas exploration and sales, and manufacturing. He now sells equipment in the construction industry as the director of sales for a company based in Longview. Jim also serves on the board of the SFA Football Sawmill Fund.

While at SFA, they were both very active in student government and involved in many state elections. Jim also participated in the SFA Bass Club and played and refereed intramural flag football. They have established two academic scholarships at SFA.

SFA Athletics Hall of Fame Inductees

Robert Hill '87

Hill, of Nacogdoches, earned a Bachelor of Applied Arts and Science from SFA in 1987. His arrival on campus began a 50-year affiliation with SFA serving in a variety of roles: student, broadcaster, radio station co-owner and operator, athletic department staff member and director of athletics. SFA is also where he met his wife of 53 years, Brenda, '71 & '75, who had a successful career in public school administration before joining the education department at SFA until her retirement.

In 1987, Hill joined SFA Athletics as sports information director while maintaining his broadcasting career. Three years later, he was named assistant athletic director for business affairs, and, in 1998, he was named associate athletic director. During that time, he also continued as the play-by-play voice of Lumberjack football and basketball for 30 seasons. He was the first to broadcast Ladyjack basketball.

Hill served as athletics director from 2005 until 2018, when he retired. During his time in that role, SFA teams won 49 Southland Conference championships and five Commissioner's Cups. SFA teams also consistently competed in NCAA Division I championships, including SFA's first national championship in women's bowling. Other highlights include SFA's first-ever back-to-back conference football championships in 2009 and 2010, and five NCAA men's basketball tournament appearances, during which the Lumberjacks won games in 2014 and in 2016 and narrowly missed a trip to the Sweet 16.

As athletics director, Hill was responsible for implementing a collegiate licensing program to protect SFA images and logos, resulting in royalty payments to the university. He also negotiated a financial agreement with Under Armour to be the exclusive supplier for athletic apparel and footwear for all SFA teams. Hill secured approval to construct a television production facility to televise SFA football and basketball games via ESPN+. Many other facility improvements were completed during his time as athletics director, including a new facility for SFA tennis, video scoreboards for Homer Bryce Stadium and Johnson Coliseum, and upgraded team dressing rooms.

In 2011, Hill was named Under Armour Athletic Director of the Year for the Football Championship Subdivision west region by the National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics. He participated in the NCAA football championship committee for four years and served as chair in 2014. He was also active in Southland Conference governance, serving as chair of the conference advisory council.

Frednisha "Freddie" Marshall Jackson '10

Jackson, of Whitehouse, earned a Bachelor of Business Administration from SFA in 2010 and a Master of Education in educational technology leadership from Lamar University in 2013.

While a member of the SFA women's track and field team for four years, she participated in two Southland Conference Championship indoor and outdoor teams. Jackson also broke at least one record every season, served as team captain her senior year and earned the following honors:

• NCAA First Team All-American, Indoor Track and Field, 2009
• Third place, weight throw, 2009 NCAA Indoor Championships
• Qualifier, weight throw, 2010 NCAA Indoor Championships
• SLC Indoor Champion, weight throw: 2008, 2009 and 2010
• SLC Outstanding Field Event Performer, Outdoor Track and Field: 2008 and 2009
• SLC Outdoor Champion, shot put: 2009
• SLC Outdoor Champion, hammer throw: 2009 and 2010

After earning her degrees and working in East Texas schools as a teacher, coach and Master Teacher for more than 15 years, Jackson launched her consulting firm, Be Better for Better, in 2024. As a lifelong educator, she works to help teachers be more effective and happier in the classroom. Her training sessions are designed to help struggling educators improve the climate and culture of their classrooms.

Jackson also has written three books: "In Case Of Emergency: How Not to Panic and Still Follow God Despite Adversity," "Positivity: 10 Days to Revamping Your Life" and "Be You #Biblically."