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Biographical Information

Alan Spevak is a photographer working exclusively in color. A biologist by training, he began
a serious interest in photography in 1982, when he purchased his first single lens reflex 35mm camera(an Olympus Om2n).

Nature always appealed to him, and his interest varied between academic and esthetic.
Over the years, he has alternated photography and academic careers, and has lived in widely
different areas of the United States.

By birth and education he is from the Midwest, born in Chicago and educated in biology
at the Universities of Illinois and Kansas, where he received his B.S. and Ph.D. degrees, respectively.
He also had formal training in photography at the Rocky Mountain School of Photography in
Missoula, Montana

Currently he is employed by East Stroudsburg University in Pennsylvania, as assistant professor of biology.

Alan's main interest is in landscape photography and  macrophotography. He is especially
interested in patterns in nature, such as those formed by wind and water, which suggest order
in randomness. Like most photographers, he made the transition from film to digital photography.
His main camera is a Canon Digital Rebel XT with a Tamron 70-300mm macro zoom lens.

         Resume
   Alan Michael Spevak
                                            
Education

Photographic
Rocky
Mountain School of Photography Certificate 1996
Missoula ,Montana

Biological
University of Kansas Biology/Animal Behavior Ph.D. 1975
Lawrence, Kansas
University of Kansas Biology/Animal Behavior M.A. 1972
Lawrence, Kansas
University of Illinois Zoology B.S. 1968
Urbana, Illinois

Work Experience

Professional
Photographer, Imago Dei Photography, Missoula, MT; 1996-1998. Owned nature photography business. Photographs published in Missoula Independent and Montana calendars.

Photographer, Nature and Fine Art Photography, St.Joseph,MI;1988-1993. Exhibited photographs at juried art fairs in Michigan and Illinois; won entry into competitive exhibits. (See page two of resume).

Photographer, Ambient Images, Middleton,WI;1982-1983. Photographs published in Madison Capitol Times and newsletter of state historical society.

Academic

Visiting Assistant Professor, Bloomsburg University, Pennsylvania, 2003-present.

Visiting Assistant Professor, Shippensburg University,Pennsylvania;2001-2003. Courses taught: Biology, Vertebrate Zoology, Comparative Vertebrate Anatomy, and Environmental Science.

Visiting Assistant Professor, Central Methodist College, Fayette,MO;1999-2001. Taught Basic Photography, Biological Photography, Philosophy of Science , Animal Behavior, Physiology, Environmental Toxicology, Histology, etc. Excellent evaluations.

Visiting Assistant Professor, Rockford College,Rockford,IL;1998 to 1999. Taught Biological Photography, Zoology, and Physiology. Advised student research projects. Excellent evaluations.

Assistant Professor, Parker College,Dallas,TX;1994-1996. Taught Embryology and Anatomy. Very good evaluations. Started first photography club on campus.

Instructor, Adjunct, community colleges in Chicago area( Moraine Valley Community College, South Suburban College, Wright College);1993-1994. Taught Biology and Anatomy & Physiology.

Assistant Professor, University of Wisconsin-Platteville,Platteville,WI;1983-1988.Taught Histology, Physiology, Human Biology, Comparative Anatomy, Embryology, and Animal Behavior Seminar.Also offered summer courses in nature photography, herpetology, and mammalogy. Chairman of Educational Media Committee. Excellent evaluations.

Instructor, University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point, Stevens Point ,WI;1981.Taught Histology and Embryology. Very good peer and student evaluations.

Postdoctoral Fellow, University of Wisconsin-Madison(1978-1981) and University of Southern California(1977-1978). Researched avian limb morphogenesis. Wrote an approved National Science Foundation grant.

Instructor, Hudson Valley Community College,Troy,NY;1976-1977. Taught General Biology, Anatomy, Anatomy & Physiology, and Microbiology lab. Received award for teaching excellence.

 

Exhibits

Images 2009,Central Pennsylvania Festival of the Arts. Pennsylvania State University

Commonwealth of Pennsylvania University Professors(CPUB) 2009 Meeting. First place in photo competition.

Pennsylvania Academy of Science Meeting 2006. First and second places in photo competition - several  different categories.

Sales Gallery, Columbia Art League, Columbia, MO. Group exhibit January -March 2001.

Stephens Art Gallery, Central Methodist College, Fayette, MO 4/3/01-5/10/01
"Photography on Parade: The Works of Dr. Alan Spevak and His Students"
 
Columbia Art League, Columbia, MO. Sparkling Arts group exhibit. November 2000-January 2001.

Boonslick Art League, Fayette, MO. Preserving the Arts of Howard County. October 2000. Won first place in photography division and permanent display in Howard County courthouse.

Visions photography exhibit ,First National Bank of Columbia,MO. Group exhibit. September 2000.

Birmingham-Bloomfield(Michigan) Art Association. One of the winners of Michigan Fine Arts Competition, April 1992.

Art Center of Battle Creek(Michigan). Michigan Art Works Exhibit. Group exhibit. 1992(year-long).

Carnegie Center for the Arts, Three Rivers, Michigan. One of the winners of the Michiana photo competition. October 1991.

Lincoln Township Public Library, St. Joseph , Michigan. Solo exhibit. September 1991.

Plainwell(Michigan) Arts Council. Invitational group exhibit. March 1991.

 

Art Fairs (partial list)

Art Fair, Harrisburg,PA.  Juried.April 19, 2008

Art In the Park, Colombia,MO..Juried. June 2-3,2001

Fall Festival of the Arts, Columbia, Missouri. Juried. September 23-24, 2000.

2nd Annual Fayette(Missouri) Art Fair. August 2000. Won honorable mention in photography.

University of Montana Spring Art Fair, Missoula,Montana. Juried. April 1998.

University of Montana Fall Art Fair, Missoula, Montana. Juried. September 1997.

Elmhurst(Illinois) Art Fair. Juried. June 1994.

Ship and Shore Festival, New Buffalo, Michigan. Juried. August 1992. Award in Fine Arts Division.

Water Tower Art Fair, Chicago, Illinois. Juried. June 1992.

Oak Park(Illinois) Lake Street Art Fair. Juried. June 1992.

Ship and Shore Festival, New Buffalo, Michigan. Juried. August 1991.

Spring Arts and Crafts Show, Kalamazoo, Michigan. Juried. April 1990.

South Haven(Michigan) Art Fair. Juried. July 1989.

Art-on-the-Mall, Kalamazoo,Michigan. Juried. May 1989.