THOMAS M. BESSETTE Delmar, NY 12054 www.tombessette.com tbessette@uamail.albany.edu
FORMAL EDUCATION
State University of New York at New Paltz - May 1999 - MFA Photography
College of Saint Rose, Albany NY - May 1997 - BS Studio Art, Photography
State University of New York at Cobleskill - May 1978 - AAS Fisheries and Wildlife Technology
Empire State College, Albany NY - 1988 – 1992 - Undergraduate Business and Economics Courses
RECENT EXPERIENCE
Computer Application Instructor - September 1999 - present - University at Albany
- Developed and continue to provide a program of computer application education to University at Albany Faculty, Staff and Students.
- Created this pilot program from scratch. Solicited input from potential attendees, supervisors, and colleagues and also called upon my own knowledge of ITS LAN members to determine actual training needs of user population. Constantly revisit via evaluations and attendee suggestions.
- Developed practical and meaningful courses based on recommendations received and requirements determined. Organized course content, assembled all course notes, and conducted most classroom sessions. Continually updating course offerings based on changing needs.
- Currently teach courses in Relational Database in MS Access, Image Editing in Photoshop, Web Design in FrontPage and Dreamweaver, Spreadsheet in Excel, Word, Outlook, Windows Skills and Internet Security.
- Create and provide special sessions as requested by UAlbany Faculty & Staff.
- Determine course scheduling, maintain database of courses, sessions and attendees, provide actual course training and solicit course and instructor evaluations. Website at: http://web.albany.edu/its/training
- Teach ICSI 102, Credit Bearing Course in Information & Computer Science Department, one to two sections per semester.
Adjunct Instructor - Spring 1998 - 2007 - The College of Saint Rose, Sage/JCA, Columbia Greene Community College, and Sage Graduate School
- Media Literacy, MAT Program Sage Graduate School, Spring 2006
- Digital Imaging Photography, spring 2001, spring 2002 spring 2003 at Sage.
- Photography 1, fall 2002 at Sage. Photography II, spring 2003 at Sage.
- Color Photography, spring 2000 at Saint Rose.
- Studio Photography, fall 1998, spring 1999, spring 2001 at Saint Rose.
- Computer Graphics (Photoshop and Quark), spring & summer 1998 at SR.
- Computer Graphics/Corel Draw, spring 1999 at CCCC
Network Helpdesk Technician - May 1997 – August 1999 - University at Albany
- Client PC workstation hardware, software and LAN connectivity support for Administrative LAN Services.
- Part of a group of 8 professionals who provide on-site setup, training and technical support for over 1600 users.
Proprietor - September 1992 August 1999 - Murray/Bessette Imaging (MBI)
- Computer graphics and business software education
- Graphic design, image restoration, slide presentations, and digital output.
- Traditional wedding and assignment photography.
Photographer - June - October 1995; May - June 1999 - Capital District Business Review
Filled in on a temporary basis while the regular photographer was on leave.
- Responsible for scheduling and executing a diverse range of photo assignments in both BW and color; subject to weekly deadlines and editorial content. Processed all film in the Business Review darkroom facility and also selected and printed the photos that were published in the paper.
Manager - 1980’s – 1990’s - Berns Camera and Video & State Photo Supply Companies
-
Established the Center for Technical Imaging, a division specializing in digital manipulation and graphic design at Berns. Trained other employees in digital technology.
-
Opened and served as first manager of State Photo of Saratoga store.
-
Managed other State Photo stores as assigned, including Stuyvesant Plaza, Latham Circle Mall and culminating as general manager of flagship store.
-
Performed all retail management duties including hiring of all employees.
-
Expert at minimizing turn-around of staff while producing superior sales and customer services. Especially skilled at working with problem employees and drawing out their best, while developing their enthusiasm for and pride in their work ethic.
-
Record of best sales to staff ratio of all stores wherever I was. Minimal complaints dealt with quickly and efficiently, always garnering customer praise for excellent service.
EXHIBITS AND PUBLICATIONS
Group Exhibits
- Juried Photography Regional April 2003
- Juried Photography Regional April 2002
- Juried Photography Regional April 2001
- Mohawk Hudson Juried Regional July 2000
- RCCA Juried Photography Regional July 2000
- RCCA Juried Photography Regional June 1999
- Mohawk Hudson Juried Regional June 1998
- RCCA Juried Photography Regional June 1998
- RCCA Photo Invitational (an exhibit of past winners) June 1997
- Mohawk Hudson Juried Regional June 1997
- Albany County Juried Exhibition, LuLu’s Cafe Gallery December 1996
One Person Shows
- Cohoes Historical Society June 2002
- Colonie Town Library January 2001
- Niskayuna Gallery August 1999
- Bethlehem Public Library June 1997
- Guilderland Public Library January 1997
- Voorheesville Public Library February 1996
- ShutterSpeed Photo Gallery December 1995
- Bethlehem Public Library February 1995
Found In the Adirondacks: Images of Life by Thomas M. Bessette
- Currently finishing up this Photo Documentary Book of People that Live and Work in the Adirondacks
- Sample copy available on request
Argyleshire Farm by Thomas M. Bessette
- Self published book of photographs and text, a recent documentary project.
- Performed all photography, writing, scanning, composition & construction.
- Sample copy available on request.
Adirondack Life Magazine
- Photographic Contributor 1995-present and previously during 1977-1981
- Cover shot April 1998
- 1999 Calendar
- December 2005 ‘Signs’ Portfolio Feature
- Completed two Photo assignments for publication summer 2006
UNIVERSITY AND PUBLIC SERVICE
Disabled Student Services
- Volunteer on as needed basis to provide reading and writing help to UAlbany Disabled Students taking Exams
- Proctor Exam Periods
OASIS
- Served as Volunteer Technology Instructor for UAlbany Sponsored Chapter teaching Older adults computer literacy and computer graphics.
UAlbany/DOL/OGS Education Exchange
- Coordinate Exchange of Supervisory and Technology workshops between our three agencies
- Provide DOL & OGS Staff access to existing UAlbany Technology Classes
University at Albany Faculty Senate
- Currently in my second two year term (2007) as an Elected Senator
- Served on LISC Council and CafeCor Committee
- Currently serving on UPC Council
University Auxiliary Services Board of Directors
- Elected to Board Fall 2005, Two Year Term
- Serve on Long Range Planning and Dining Services Committees
- Currently Chair of Bookstore Committee
Thomas M. Bessette Page 4
Jump Start Program, Bethlehem Schools
- 1 Hour per Week Reading and Spelling Sessions with First Graders at Clarksville Elementary.
Schools Out Incorporated, Delmar NY Board of Directors
- Appointed fall 2006; Board oversees operations of after school and summer camp facility for Bethlehem children
UAlbany Faculty Mentor
PORTFOLIOS AVAILABLE
Photography
- Fine Art, Documentary, News, Scenic, Wildlife & Student Work
- Copy slides of student work in computer graphics and photography
- PowerPoint Presentations of Selected Work
- Selected Work at my web site at: http://www.tombessette.com
COMPUTER RELATED KNOWLEDGE
Fluent in Graphic Software & Hardware Operation
- Photoshop, MS Access, Excel, Word, Outlook, FrontPage, Dreamweaver, HTML QuarkXPress, Pagemaker, Illustrator, PowerPoint, Corel Draw, Painter, scanning software, Mac OS, Windows OS through XP, Mac and PC Computers and many of the high end input and output peripherals being used today including Film, Flatbed and Drum Scanners, Inkjet, Laser (B&W and color, CD-R, DVD-R, Xerox Color Laser Copiers/Printers along with Fiery and other front ends
INTERESTS
Outdoor Enthusiast
- Avid and experienced hiker, canoeist, wilderness camper, backpacker, cross country skier, large and 35mm format photographer.
A Bit of a Bookworm
- Student of American History, reader of Natural History & Social Commentary, and a Collector of Antiquarian Books, Photographs and Photographic items. Finished two (unpublished) books of Photography, currently writing personal memoir.