Alumnus donates “The Art of Photographing Dance” collection to Library of Congress

Dr. David A. Fullard, a 1998 Ph.D. graduate of Union Institute & University, has donated his photographic collection “The Art of Photographing Dance” to the Library of Congress.

Dr. Fullard is an internationally known freelance photographer specializing in dance photography, portraiture, and photojournalism. His work has appeared in The New York Times, Arabesque Magazine, The Village Voice, Black Mask, Dance Magazine, and Industrial Photography, and his images have been featured in many books as well as exhibits celebrating dancers and choreographers. (Source: Library of Congress)

Enjoy “The Art of Photographing Dance” moderated by Dr. Libby Smigel, Library of Congress, Dance Curator in the Music Division.

Dr. Fullard’s other career was in corrections. He retired in 2011 as a Senior Correctional Captain (Supervisor). He worked at Rikers Island, the notorious jail known for its violence and overcrowding.

“I think of my time at Union as therapy. My studies gave me something to think about rather than my job,” Dr. Fullard said. “My professors were excellent and my cohorts were supportive. It was a great experience.”

Currently, he is an Associate Professor at SUNY Empire State College. He teaches numerous courses in Community and Human Services: Multicultural Issues in Counseling and Psychotherapy, Social Work: Theory & Practice, Pharmacological Aspects of Substance Abuse, Theoretical Concepts of Psychoanalytic & Neo-Analytic Psychology, Issues in Criminal Justice Systems, The African-American Experience in the Criminal Justice System, Women & Crime, Issues in Terrorism, Juvenile Delinquency, Issues in Theoretical Criminology, and more.

His primary areas of focus for teaching and mentoring include Public Affairs, Criminal Justice, Penology, Correction Administration, Community & Human Services, Addiction Studies, Rehabilitation & Treatment, Social & Behavioral Sciences, Forensic and Clinical Psychology, and Social Theory.

He has developed and championed innovative outreach and support programs focused on the success of all students, particularly supporting black males to persist through to graduation/degree completion, since this group historically has the lowest retention rate. He serves as faculty advisor for the Black Male Initiative (BMI) at Empire State College and the Black Male Support Group. In this position, he identifies at-risk students, offers peer counseling and referrals, outreach and promotion, student and alumni networking, community forums and events, social responsibility and social justice initiatives, technical advice for BMI expansion, and establishment of a fully endowed BMI scholarship fund, plus two other scholarships for African American students.

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