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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