Everything Nac

A renowned Latin American scholar who frequently serves as a guest expert to the PBS series “The Desert Speaks” and “In the Americas with David Yetman” will host Stephen F. Austin State University’s first History Student Forum, a four-day event that includes a lecture open to both students and community members.

Dr. William H. Beezley, author of more than 25 books, will present a keynote lecture titled “Object Lessons about Latin America: Eye Patches, Coffee Beans, and Ski Masks” at 7 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 9, in Dugas Liberal Arts North, Room 142.

“Although the program is sponsored by students for students, the keynote address gives SFA students an opportunity to welcome the community into a campus event,” said Dr. Mark Barringer, chair of the Department of History.

A professor of history at the University of Arizona, Beezley held endowed chairs at Texas Christian University and Tulane University. He has served as visiting professor at the University of Texas, the University of Calgary, the University of British Columbia, and El Colegio de Mexico.

Beezley authored the highly praised Oxford History of Mexico and is editor-in-chief of the Oxford Research Encyclopedia for Latin America. He received the Mexican government’s 2017 Ohtli Award, which is typically awarded to members of the Mexican-American community who have devoted their lives to forging a new path for Mexican nationals abroad. Previous Ohtli Award recipients include actress Eva Longoria, music producer Emilio Estefan and U.S. Rep. Raul Grijalva.

Beezley will hold a series of meetings for students and faculty members, ranging from classroom visitations to individual sessions on careers in history and professional developments for undergraduate and graduate students.

While on the SFA campus, in addition to being a guest in a Latin American studies course taught by Dr. Jeana Paul Urena, chair of the Department of Languages, Cultures and Communication, Beezley will be a visiting lecturer in Dr. Aaron C. Moulton’s Latin American history class and Dr. Randi Barnes-Cox’s senior seminar.

Seating at the keynote event is limited. For more information about the forum or SFA’s Department of History, call (936) 468-3802.

Event to include lessons about Latin America

The Stephen F. Austin State University School of Art and the SFA Galleries will host the exhibition “The Patriotic Art of World War I in France” Oct. 31 through Dec. 30 in The Cole Art Center @ The Old Opera House in downtown Nacogdoches.

The exhibition features French WWI posters from the extensive collection of Dr. Jere Jackson, Regent’s Professor of History at SFA and director of the Center for East Texas Studies. Topics of the lithographed posters made during WWI address issues concerning the war, and the exhibition includes some posters that focus on children during the war.

In “An Introduction to the Patriotic School of Paris: French Poster Artists of the Great War,” Jackson writes: “It is difficult, even after 100 years, to comprehend the magnitude and the importance of the First World War. It was the Great War of 1914-1918, and not World War II, that presaged the grim horrors which we now associate with the 20th Century wars: machine guns, trenches, tanks, chemical weapons and gas masks, aerial warfare, civilian bombardment, submarine attacks, starvation blockades, concentration camps, atrocities, deportations, vicious propaganda attacks, etc. Yet, on the eve of this war, almost no one foresaw the terrible path that coming events would take.

“Everyone expected the war to be over ‘before the leaves fall’ or ‘by Christmas,'” he continues. “In military matters, for this reason, everyone worshiped the offensive. In non-military matters, on the other hand, most governments including the French believed only in the defensive. The French had the best censor in the world! The government controlled the posting of bills, the flow of paper to the major presses, and the major channels of distribution. Had the war been short as anticipated, victory might have made any positive methods of propaganda unnecessary. After the stalemate in the fall of 1914, however, the new war of wills necessitated the encouragement of morale, patriotism, sacrifice, conservation of resources, and duty; in short, a complete mobilization of French society and resources. Since radio and television were yet to be invented, the main tools available were the products of the printing press – newspapers, magazines, reviews, journals, leaflets, postcards, and most importantly posters. The French Government, however, did not come to a positive use of these potential weapons until very late. Outside the press organs it controlled, the official attitude toward the press and artists was antagonistic.”

The exhibition was planned to coincide with next year’s 100th anniversary of the end of WWI.

Jackson will speak at a reception at 3 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 11, Veteran’s Day. Coffee and cake will be served. The event is sponsored by SFA Friends of the Visual Arts, the Nacogdoches Junior Forum and The Flower Shop. Admission is free. The annual Downtown Art Walk takes place that evening.

The Cole Art Center is located at 329 E. Main St. For more information, call (936) 468-1131.

Begun in 2007 by Stephen F. Austin State University’s Office of Multicultural Affairs, the 10th annual Tunnel of Oppression will offer the SFA and Nacogdoches communities a glimpse inside often complex yet subtle forms of oppression.

“The Tunnel of Oppression is an interactive museum that spotlights many forms of oppression through interactive theater,” said OMA Director Veronica Beavers. “The purpose of the tunnel is to enlighten and educate participants in the areas of diversity and social justice.”

SFA’s university-sponsored Lumberjack Cultural Association primarily coordinates the Tunnel of Oppression. Members of OMA’s other eight organizations will perform various skits within rooms inside the tunnel, each with the aim of illuminating how forms of oppression can affect individuals and families.

“Participants should expect to be amazed,” Beavers said. “They will experience an eye-opening experience. Topics to be discussed include stereotypes, body image, mental illness and many more. The Tunnel of Oppression brings awareness to participants on many diversity-related topics and social justice issues in society, which aligns with the OMA’s mission.”

The Tunnel of Oppression is a free three-day event. SFA 101 students will be the only participants Nov. 6. The event will open to the public from 6 to 9 p.m. Tuesday and Wednesday, Nov. 7-8, in the Baker Pattillo Student Center Theater.

For information, contact the OMA at oma@sfasu.edu, or visit sfasu.edu/oma.

By Christine Broussard, senior marketing communications specialist at Stephen F. Austin State University.

The Trombone Choir at Stephen F. Austin State University will present a program that features a mix of musical styles when the choir performs at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 9, in Cole Concert Hall in the Wright Music Building on the SFA campus.

Directed by Dr. Deb Scott, professor of trombone, and Dr. Daniel Chapa, adjunct professor of trombone and euphonium, the Trombone Choir will present a variety of musical styles ranging from 16th century Renaissance to current compositions, according to Scott.

“The tradition of the trombone choir dates back further than 500 years, so it is important that I expose students to the style of music originally composed for trombone as well as more recent literature,” Scott said.

“Canzona” by Nicholas DiNunzio was composed in the style of Renaissance music for trombone choir and utilizes the tradition of two opposing trombone choirs.

Another early piece, “The White and Sweet Swan” by Jacob Arcadelt (ca. 1505-1568), was originally a madrigal for voices. SFA music graduate student Josh Porter arranged the work for trombone choir.

Also on the program, J.S. Bach’s “Fugue in G Minor ” was transcribed for trombone ensemble by Ralph Sauer.

More modern music includes Simon Wills’ “A Breach of the Peace,” which Scott describes as “a highly entertaining piece that uses stomping and clapping to enhance the Scottish melodies and rhythm.” The British Trombone Society commissioned the work.

Gary Slechta’s beautiful arrangement of “What a Wonderful World,” made popular by Louis Armstrong, will also be performed in a jazz style.

Tickets are $8 for adults, $6 for seniors and $3 for students and youth. For tickets or more information, call the SFA Fine Arts Box Office at (936) 468-6407 or visit www.finearts.sfasu.edu.