{"id":410,"date":"2019-07-17T18:18:16","date_gmt":"2019-07-17T18:18:16","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/wcsu.wpengine.com\/news-archives\/fred-watkins-talk\/"},"modified":"2019-07-17T18:18:16","modified_gmt":"2019-07-17T18:18:16","slug":"fred-watkins-talk","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.wcsu.edu\/news-archives\/fred-watkins-talk\/","title":{"rendered":"WCSU 2016 – World-class photographer, WCSU alumnus to speak"},"content":{"rendered":"
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\"alumnusDANBURY, CONN. <\/strong>\u2014 Award-winning photographer and Western Connecticut State University<\/a> alumnus Fred Watkins<\/a> will discuss his career in \u201cA Photographic Walk through History\u201d at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 15, 2016<\/strong>, in Ives Concert Hall in White Hall, on the university\u2019s Midtown campus, 181 White St. in Danbury. The event is free and open to the public.<\/p>\n

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Watkins began his career in photography more than 25 years ago in the Time-Life<\/a> photo lab in New York City. Through the decades, Watkins has worked for Time<\/a>, Life<\/a> and People<\/a> magazines, ABC<\/a>, ESPN<\/a>, MCI<\/a>, Pfizer<\/a>, Miller Brewing Company<\/a>, General Motors<\/a>, Fox News<\/a> and many other Fortune 500 companies.<\/p>\n

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Some of his most notable work includes photos of celebrities and famous athletes such as Muhammed Ali<\/a>, Paul McCartney<\/a> and Oprah Winfrey<\/a>. Watkins also has an extensive portfolio of work documenting political leaders and state dignitaries including Jesse Jackson<\/a>, President Barack Obama<\/a>, Former President Bill Clinton<\/a> and Former President George H. W. Bush.<\/a><\/p>\n

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According to his website, Watkins\u2019 most honored accomplishment was to document Nelson Mandela\u2019s<\/a> first tour of the United States after being released from prison in 1990.<\/p>\n

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In an interview, Watkins attributed much of his success to the education he received at WCSU, noting that almost everything he learned about photojournalism can be traced back to his work with The Echo, WCSU\u2019s student-run newspaper.<\/p>\n

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\u201cThe Echo adviser, Professor Arnold Brackman, was the person who taught me how to take a good picture,\u201d Watkins said. \u201cI have a lot of respect and appreciation for him and the way he critiqued my work.\u201d<\/p>\n

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Watkins still works as a freelance photographer for ABC on various reality TV shows, news programs and movies. He recently did an exclusive photoshoot for \u201cGood Morning America<\/a>\u201d featuring Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump and his family in their private penthouse suite at the new Trump International Hotel in Washington, D.C.\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

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\u201cI feel honored and privileged to be able to come back to WCSU,\u201d Watkins said of his Nov. 15 talk. \u201cI always get asked how I got started, and I always say that I really got the meat and potatoes of my learning from WCSU.<\/p>\n

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\u201cThe college gave me the opportunity to use the darkroom anytime I wanted, and they stressed the fact of always having your camera with you. I use this today when I\u2019m with heads of state,\u201d Watkins said.<\/p>\n

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WCSU\u2019s Chief Diversity Officer and Interim Associate Vice President for Multicultural Affairs Daryle Dennis said he is \u201cproud and enthusiastic to bring Fred \u2014 a friend, classmate and an alumnus \u2014 back to WCSU.<\/p>\n

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\u201cSharing his photojournalism experience covering some of the world\u2019s most notable people, places and events will be an exciting evening for all to enjoy,\u201d Dennis said.<\/p>\n

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Despite all his awards, famous photographs and accolades, Watkins said he still keeps a special shelf in his house dedicated to the work he did at WCSU, with issues of The Echo dating back as far as 1977.<\/p>\n

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\u201cI can\u2019t thank WCSU enough,\u201d Watkins said. \u201cI\u2019m proud to say I am an alumnus.\u201d<\/p>\n

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For more information, contact Dennis at dennisd@wcsu.edu<\/a>.<\/p>\n

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Western Connecticut State University offers outstanding faculty in a range of quality academic programs. Our diverse university community provides students an enriching and supportive environment that takes advantage of the unique cultural offerings of Western Connecticut and New York. Our vision: To be an affordable public university with the characteristics of New England\u2019s best small private universities.<\/em><\/p>\n

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