Contact: Phil Hearn
STARKVILLE, Miss.--A noted Louisiana historian and an award-winning student writer specializing in Civil War history will be featured March 24 at Mississippi State's John F. and Jeanne A. Marszalek Lecture Series.
James F. Sefcik, who retired last year as Louisiana State Museum director and Office of State Museums assistant secretary, will deliver the keynote address. The public program takes place in the John Grisham Room of the university's Mitchell Memorial Library.
Prior to Sefcik's presentation, Virginia Tech University graduate student Jared Peatman, last year's nominee for Virginia social studies teacher of the year, will read a research paper titled "Richmond's Reaction to the Gettysburg Address."
Honoring retired MSU historian John Marszalek and his wife, the lecture series was established in 2002 to encourage the use of primary source materials related to American history, the Civil War and Reconstruction, Jacksonian America, and race relations. The format includes papers given by students and a lecture by an established historian of national reputation.
Sefcik's topic will be "Primary Sources, Museums, and the Study of American History." He is the author of 14 publications on history, fund raising and museum issues.
Marszalek is an MSU Giles Distinguished Professor Emeritus and author of an award-winning biography of Gen. William T. Sherman. His latest book, "Commander of All Lincoln's Armies: A Life of General Henry W. Halleck," is published by Harvard University Press.
A Troy, N.Y., native and New Orleans resident, Sefcik now serves as assistant to the president at Our Lady of Holy Cross College, a church-affiliated institution in the Crescent City. He also is an adjunct professor of history at OLHCC and the University of New Orleans.
Sefcik has been active with numerous associations that include the American Association for State and Local History, Southeast Museums Conference, Supreme Court of Louisiana Historical Society, New York State American Revolution Bicentennial Commission, and Southeast Museums Conference.
Peatman earned a bachelor's degree in history from Gettysburg (Pa.) College in 2002 and currently is pursuing a master's degree in U.S. history at Virginia Tech. An award-winning student, writer, teacher, and presenter of historical papers, he has had work published in The Gettysburg Magazine and the Gettysburg History Journal.
For more information on MSU Libraries, the Marszalek Lecture Series and the upcoming lecture and presentation, visit www.library.msstate.edu or contact Sheila Coleman at (662) 325-2559 or scoleman@library.msstate.edu.