Carney presented his paper, “Alive as You or Me: Bob Dylan’s Woody Guthrie,” at the inaugural World of Bob Dylan Conference.

The conference brought together an international group of Dylan scholars for a series of panels, roundtables and keynote talks. Based on recent archival research at the Woody Guthrie Center and the Bob Dylan Archive, including rare letters that helped flesh out Dylan’s chronology in 1967, Carney’s paper centers mainly on Dylan's relationship to Woody Guthrie with a focus on the period between October 1967 and January 1968.

Part of the research was included in his article, "'With Electric Breath': Bob Dylan and the Reimagining of Woody Guthrie (January 1968)," which was published in the Woody Guthrie Annual.

Those interested in learning about intellectual property can engage with intellectual property attorneys and representatives from the United States Patent and Trademark Office at a workshop from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., Sept. 12, in the Cole STEM Building, Room 401.

Hosted by SFA’s College of Sciences and Mathematics, the workshop will provide information and advice on how securing trademarks and patents on inventions or creative ideas can strengthen businesses. Participants may ask questions and meet with the experts individually to receive advice tailored to a specific project, idea or business plan.

Cost is $10, and lunch is included. Register by Sept. 5 at sfasu.edu/IPWorkshop.

For more information, contact cosm@sfasu.edu.

The Center for Career and Professional Development will host the 2019 Part-Time Job, Volunteer and Internship Expo from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sept. 4 in the Baker Pattillo Student Center Grand Ballroom.

Faculty and staff are encouraged to inform students about the event.

Click here for a list of participating employers.

Students will need to bring their student ID for check-in, as well as copies of their résumé to distribute to employers. Professional dress is required. Résumé assistance and the center's free Career Closet are available to help students prepare for the event. Information about these resources may be found on the center's website.

CCPD also encourages departments to interact with potential candidates by having a representative attend this year’s expo. Registration for SFA departments is free.

For more information, contact Brandi Derouen, CCPD assistant director, at (936) 468-3305 or derouenb@sfasu.edu.

The Office of International Programs invites faculty and staff to participate in the international friendship program, which focuses on promoting interaction between SFA’s international students and members of the SFA and Nacogdoches communities.

The program acquaints international students with the American lifestyle, offers opportunities for cultural exchange, and contributes to tolerance and understanding among participants.

The program will comprise groups of four to six people. Once placed in a group, the program is self-directed by the participants.

Ideas for group activities include meeting for coffee and conversation, going to see a film in the Baker Pattillo Student Center Theater, or sharing a meal.

To apply, click here. Applications are due by Sept. 14.

The Employee Wellness program is currently accepting applications for the 2019 Lumberjack Fitness Academy.

The program, which is open to SFA faculty and staff for the fall 2019 semester, focuses on providing health and nutrition assistance while utilizing the great resources SFA has to offer.

To apply or for more information about the program, click here.

For more information, contact Jessica Waguespack, Employee Wellness assistant director, at (936) 468-6056.

Fans of comedy geniuses John Belushi, Bill Murray and Steve Carell or Tina Fey, Stephen Colbert and Amy Poehler will not want to miss a Nacogdoches performance of the newest improv stars of The Second City, Chicago’s renowned comedy club.

SFA’s College of Fine Arts will open its 2019-20 University Series with a performance by The Second City at 7:30 p.m. Sept. 6 in Turner Auditorium.

“The Second City is truly the epicenter of the comedy world,” said Scott Shattuck, associate dean of the College of Fine Arts and director of the University Series, “having given us most of the casts of ‘Saturday Night Live,’ ‘SCTV,’ ‘The Daily Show’ and more."

Prior to the SFA performance, Jackie Rosenfeld, lecturer in SFA’s School of Theatre, will present an informative talk at 7 p.m. in Griffith Gallery.

For more information or to purchase tickets, visit finearts.sfasu.edu, stop by the box office in Room 211 of the Griffith Fine Arts Building, or call (936) 468-6407 or (888) 240-ARTS.

The Music Preparatory Division of SFA’s School of Music has provided a strong foundation in music education for generations of young East Texas musicians. That tradition will continue as a “changing-of-the-guard” takes place at the end of August.

Longtime director Pat Barnett retires Aug. 31, and succeeding her is Melissa Nabb, who is currently an adjunct instructor of music theory, viola and violin in the School of Music. Nabb is eager to get started in her new role with SFA and its music education outreach.

“I am most looking forward to collaborating with teachers and parents to build a community where students can not only learn music but meet friends and create memories for a lifetime,” Nabb said. “The Music Preparatory program at SFA is a special place, and there are tremendous opportunities to build on the tradition of excellence there and move forward with new and exciting offerings.”

For more information about the Music Preparatory Division and its fall lesson lineup, call (936) 468-1291, or visit music.sfasu.edu/prep.

A photographer known as @mamekoro51 on Twitter recently captured a shy, baby meerkat on film while visiting the Inokashira Natural Cultural Park in Musashino City, Tokyo, and the heart-melting photos quickly went viral.

To see more photos and learn about the cute, gregarious mammal, click here.