Stephen F. Austin State University will host the groundbreaking ceremony for the Arnold Center for Entrepreneurship building at 10:30 a.m. June 22 in front of the Janice A. Pattillo Early Childhood Research Center on campus. This rendering depicts the northwest approach to the future ACE building.
June 17, 2026 - Stephen F. Austin State University will host the groundbreaking ceremony for the Arnold Center for Entrepreneurship building at 10:30 a.m. June 22, 2026 in front of the Janice A. Pattillo Early Childhood Research Center.
Parking available in research center parking lot located at 2428 Raguet Street.
Ashley and Greg Arnold will join representatives from SFA and The University of Texas System as well as state and federal elected officials for the ceremony. Students, faculty, staff and alumni are also expected to attend the event, which is open to the public.
Made possible through the generosity of the Arnold family and support from the UT System and the state of Texas, the center will serve as a hub for innovation, workforce development, applied research and economic growth across East Texas. The two-story, 39,170-square-foot building will offer immersive and flexible spaces tailored to modern entrepreneurial education, including simulated learning environments, dedicated coworking spaces and innovation labs. It also will feature a multipurpose LED volume production studio for collaborative projects and entrepreneurial ventures across SFA’s areas of study. Substantial completion is anticipated by mid-2027.
For more information on the building, visit gosfa.com/ACEceremony. For more information on the center, visit sfasu.edu/ACE.
Submitted by Misty Wilburn
