Stephen F. Austin State University (SFA) is a public university in Nacogdoches, Texas. Founded as a teachers' college in 1923 as a result of legislation authored by State Senator Wilfred Roy Cousins Sr., the university was subsequently renamed after one of Texas's founding fathers, Stephen F. Austin. Its campus resides on part of the homestead of Thomas Jefferson Rusk. Stephen F. Austin is one of four independent public universities in Texas (i.e., those not affiliated with one of Texas's six university systems).