Photography Professor to Speak at SPESC Regional Conference

Associate Photography Professor and Graduate Program Advisor for the Department of Art, Chad Smith, will be honored as the 2015 Regional Honored Educator at the Society for Photographic Education – South Central (SPESC) Regional Conference in Oklahoma at the OKC Museum of Art and The University of Oklahoma. The event takes place between September 24-26.

“I have always loved photography and teaching.  I feel very fortunate to have had the opportunity do both. For me, being an educator has always been about the students,” said Smith. “It has never been about teaching students to be photographers, per se, but about educating students about photography and I'm rewarded every year by the growth of my students, past and present. I am very grateful and thrilled to have been selected as this year's regional honored educator but I'm even more moved by the support that I have received from my students and peers.”

The Society for Photographic Education (SPE) is a nonprofit membership organization created when university photography programs moved from journalism departments to art departments. As the field became more academic, Associate Director at the George Eastman House, Nathan Lyons, created a conference in November 1962 to address concerns held by educators. Currently, the SPE promotes a broader understanding of photography and the development of its practice, teaching, scholarship and critical analysis.

Smith's work is also featured at MainSite Gallery in Norman, Oklahoma, and he will give a gallery lecture during the conference and the Department of Art will underwrite the reception. The conference will feature major speakers, juried exhibition and portfolio reviewer opportunities.