Newton County Judge Attends Roundtable with U.S. Senator John Cornyn at SFA

Newton County Judge Ronnie Cochran joined U.S. Senator John Cornyn and East Texas educational leaders at Stephen F. Austin State University for a roundtable discussion focused on strengthening rural education and workforce development opportunities across the region.

The event spotlighted federal and state partnerships designed to expand Pell Grant eligibility, enhance funding for agricultural research facilities, and support ongoing progress at SFA’s Arthur Temple College of Forestry & Agriculture Extension Building — an $85 million project that houses Texas’ only doctoral forestry program.

Judge Cochran said he was proud to represent Newton County and share in the discussion highlighting East Texas’ leadership in higher education and natural resource management.

“I was pleased to be able to attend a roundtable discussion at Stephen F. Austin State University in Nacogdoches with U.S. Senator John Cornyn and East Texas educational leaders,” Boyett said. “The event highlighted efforts to expand Pell Grant eligibility, enhance funding for agricultural research facilities, and celebrate the progress of SFA’s $85 million Arthur Temple College of Forestry & Agriculture Extension Building — home to Texas’ only doctoral forestry program. I was proud to represent Newton County as Senator Cornyn praised the achievements of East Texas educators and pledged to carry our region’s success stories back to Washington, D.C.”

The discussion reinforced the importance of collaboration between local governments, universities, and federal partners in advancing rural education and economic growth throughout East Texas.