Richard Thomas:  

Life 1989-1992: Attended Central Piedmont Community College, majoring in Piano Performance as a student in the Associate of Fine Arts program. I had planned to go on to a four-year music program and study composition. During this time, I participated in a number of musical recitals and performances, and also worked as the evening library assistant at CPCC’s music library. I left the music program completely in May 1992 for personal reasons. 1992-1994: Re-enrolled at Central Piedmont Community College in September, 1992, as a college transfer student. I received an Associate of Arts in May, 1994. During 1993, I was the Photo Editor of the CPCC student newsletter, The Spark, and throughout the period I held a number of part-time jobs in both retail sales and creative arts. 1994-1996: During this time, I was employed in the school photography and publishing industry, including jobs with Delmar Printing and Photography, and Chappell Studios, as well as general freelance photography. While this was not exceptionally profitable work, I developed the basic imaging skills that led to my photography degree from Appalachian State. I also got engaged to a girl I met at CPCC. 1996-2000: Returned to college in August, 1996. I enrolled at Appalachian State University as a student of Astronomy, but quickly changed majors to Industrial Technology so I could study technical photography. I earned a Bachelor’s degree in this field in May, 2000. During my spare time, I was occupied with several years’ work for the student newspaper, The Appalachian, first as a photographer and later as Photo Editor, earning the Appalachian Leadership Award for my work on the paper. I also served as a Peer Tutor in Astronomy, and earned...Expand for more