Jarred Walker – In Motion Staff Writer <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The end of this spring semester will see the conclusion of Daytona State College legend Dan Biferie\u2019s tenure after 45 years. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Current senior professor and Department Chairperson for DSC\u2019s Southeast Center for Photographic Studies, Biferie\u2019s time, effort and body of work over the course of his life is one to be commended. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Biferie, pronounced \u201cbih-fairy,\u201d was born in 1951 and first got into photography at age 12 when his grandmother gave him a box camera. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n \u201cI still have a copy of the first photograph I ever took with it and I \nliked the ability to just go and record things. It made me start \npursuing it. My parents were always supportive of my interests and their\n encouragement got me going. In high school, I was a troublesome student\n and one of my teachers realized that when I had my camera, I was a \ndifferent person. She encouraged me to get on the newspaper and yearbook\n which I did and loved it.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n He went on to explain how being at the front of football games, having \nan unlimited hall pass and seeing his work published really made him \nfeel proud and accomplished. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Coming to DSC in 1969, Dan Biferie\n would find his future second home. As a student, he would graduate with\n high honors in 1971. Seeing his photography teacher\u2019s passion and \nenthusiasm inspired him to become a teacher and an artist. \n\u201cFrom here, I went on to Ohio University and graduated with the highest \nhonors. Next, I got a two year fully paid scholarship as a graduate \nstudent and taught. It was the photography teaching at graduate school I\n found the most fulfilling. Around this time, I had many odd jobs, but \nthe secret for students looking for a legitimate job after they graduate\n is to keep your foot engaged in the business in order to keep current \nand the passion alive. That first part of my life was not easy.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n
When Biferie\n and his wife Kathy were on their way to The Art Institute of Fort \nLauderdale, he decided to stop by DSC to greet some of his former \nteachers. It was at this time when they asked him if he would be \ninterested in doing an interview for a teaching job. Biferie agreed and he was hired right on the spot. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n \u201cThey couldn\u2019t find anybody with a master\u2019s degree. They had a new \ndegree program that required that. I went outside to tell my wife, \n\u2018honey, we\u2019re staying right here.\u2019 It was amazing how it all came \ntogether.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Biferie\u2019s accomplishments are endless and speak for themselves. The\n most important aspects of his career are his students and being the \nfounding director of the Southeast Museum of Photography. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n \u201cThe most significant thing I\u2019ve done is influence the lives of \ncountless photographers who have gone on, in one way or another in their\n lives, to be successful. Whether it be as photographers, creative \nindividuals or work in other fields. I\u2019ve learned from them too. We\u2019ve \nhad many photographers go on and do really big things such as working \nfor National Geographic, the History Channel, winning multiple Pulitzer \nPrizes, etc. I started the Gallery of Fine Arts which grew to the point \nof having the world-renowned Southeast Museum of Photography opened that\n is now 41 years old. It\u2019s astounding.\u201d Biferie also introduced the digital age of photography to DSC and taught the first Photoshop classes. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
He further explained how none of his achievements could have happened without the help of others. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n \u201cNobody does anything on their own. There were presidents, students, \nvolunteers, my wife, colleagues, staff, the curator, the community \nmembers, etc. They are all part of the success that the program has achieved. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cIt was never easy, it was always hard work. You need tenacity and self discipline.\n My best advice is to have a positive mental attitude, learn from your \nmistakes, take advantage of successes and continue to have a creative \nlife that\u2019s separate from whatever it is that you\u2019re doing. Eventually \neverything will come together.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Although Biferie\u2019s career\n is coming to an end, his love for photography will never fade away as \nhe still gets joy and fascination out of it. He hopes to release an \nautobiography in the near future and have his work featured in public \nmuseums and collections. <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Jarred Walker – In Motion Staff Writer The end of this spring semester will see the conclusion of Daytona State College legend Dan Biferie\u2019s tenure after 45 years. Current senior professor and Department Chairperson for DSC\u2019s Southeast Center for Photographic Studies, Biferie\u2019s time, effort and body of work Continue reading Dan Biferie, a DSC Icon<\/span>