Everything Nac

The National Endowment for the Humanities has once again recognized an NEH grant awarded to Kyle Ainsworth, special collections librarian at Stephen F. Austin State University’s Steen Library, by including it in NEH’s 50 States of Preservation series.

The series highlights former preservation assistance grants for smaller institutions awarded to libraries and archives across the United States.

Ainsworth’s 2012 grant helped fund a four-day disaster-and-planning workshop series from May 14-17, 2012, which was designed to instruct employees of regional museums, cultural heritage organizations and archivists in the basics of document preservation, emergency preparedness and salvage techniques.

The first two days focused on the usual threats, like leaks, pest infestation and mold, as well as preservation of oversized materials, photos and scrapbooks. The last two days highlighted disaster preparedness and salvage techniques. The fourth day included a hands-on demonstration of how to salvage water-damaged materials.

Additional workshops were held at the Durst-Taylor Historic House where members of the Nacogdoches community were invited to attend and learn techniques to help preserve treasured family heirlooms.

Ainsworth’s grant was recognized for its timely implementation in a region with more than 60 historical and cultural organizations archiving thousands of historical documents and which endured two hurricanes in the years leading up to the grant-funded workshop series.

The workshop series proved beneficial in 2014, when a leak in the East Texas Research Center’s special collections library damaged more than 200 books.

“Because of the workshop, we were able to save about 170 books,” Ainsworth said.

Stephen F. Austin State University’s Rusche College of Business will host its fourth College to Career Conference from 9:30 a.m. to 3:15 p.m. Thursday, March 23, in the McGee Business Building on the SFA campus.

C2C, a professional development event, will feature sessions throughout the day with speakers from across the state representing companies such as Kohls, Wells Fargo, Wintrust Commercial Finance, Pilgrim’s Pride, Austin Bank and more.

“This conference is replete with professional executives who will provide students a wealth of real-world professional advice. Not only will students hear these executives’ testimonies, but they also will have the opportunity to meet executives personally,” said Megan Sellers, coordinator for career success and corporate engagement and academic advisor in SFA’s College of Business. “We’ve had many students leave this conference with a job.”

The conference will feature four concurrent sessions and one-on-one career coaching with executives. An invitation-only employer reception will follow the conference.

Sessions will focus on topics, including the first 100 days on the job, managing a salary outside of college, building a professional wardrobe, developing as a professional from the ground up, entrepreneurship, world-class leadership and more.

“This conference is a unique opportunity for students. They will receive free, real-life testimony and advice,” Sellers said. “Attendees should be ready to absorb a wealth of information from some of the greatest executives.”

Students can earn Student Success Passport Program points for each session they attend. The Student Success Passport Program aims to help SFA students hone their professional skills while competing for scholarships within the Rusche College of Business.

For more information, contact Sellers at (936) 468-2339 or sellersml@sfasu.edu.