STOCKTON UNIVERSITY – One of the most unique events on Stockton’s calendar is taking place Thursday — and it’s probably not what you’d expect.

The fourth annual “Bob Dylan Fest” will be held in the Campus Center Café on Thursday, April 17. Hosted by students of GAH 2373 — better known as simply “Bob Dylan” — the event runs from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and features live music, a memorabilia museum with Bob Dylan artifacts, student artwork, and more.

There is no entry fee, and students are encouraged to drop in and out throughout the day.

Bob Dylan has recently returned to the cultural spotlight following the success of “A Complete Unknown,” a biopic chronicling Dylan’s early career from 1962 to 1965, starring Timothée Chalamet.

The course itself is one of Stockton’s most distinctive and recognizable offerings. Over various semesters, it hasn’t been unusual to spot a self-portrait of Dylan hanging in the Campus Center Dining Room or to notice the bluntly titled course while browsing the class catalog.

The course is taught by Professor John O’Hara, who believes General Studies courses at Stockton play a vital role in helping students explore subjects outside their comfort zones.

“The School of General Studies emphasizes types of learning that aren’t content-dependent,” said O’Hara. “We look to do things that will aid in giving students important knowledge, but also equipping them with the skills and aptitudes that are important in college, career and life.”

According to O’Hara, the course focuses on building skills like teamwork, collaboration and creative expression — all of which culminate in the production of the annual Bob Dylan Fest. O’Hara says that by the end of the festival, everyone in the class should be able to add the event to their résumé.

The class explores Dylan’s extensive career while connecting his work to American history. O’Hara’s lessons often examine the roots of folk music and how traditional songs influenced not just Dylan, but countless artists over the decades.

Students meet every Tuesday and Thursday to contribute to the planning of the festival. The class is divided into departments such as graphic design, printing, social media, band booking, and media outreach — all working together with a shared goal of organizing Bob Dylan Fest. 

“I have always enjoyed Bob Dylan’s music thanks to my parents, but I was never a superfan who knew much beyond his greatest hits,” said Mary DeRose, a sophomore at Stockton and editor-in-chief of The Argo. “Taking this course allowed me to put Dylan in the context of pop culture and world history, and it also helped me understand where he drew his inspiration from.”

DeRose will appear on WLFR at 12:30 p.m. to promote the event and will perform two sets during Thursday’s festival.

For more information, contact Professor O’Hara at John.OHara@stockton.edu.