During his nearly 14 years as director of communications at Ashford University, Larry Libberton has accumulated more than 116,000 images in his photo archive files. More than 1,000 of those images will be part of “Slice of Time; Slice of Life,” the final exhibit in Ashford’s Cortona Art Gallery. The exhibit will run April 27-May 31. A reception from 4-5:30 p.m. in the art gallery on Friday, May 6 will coincide with Ashford’s graduation weekend celebration.
“It’s been a bittersweet journey down memory lane as I’ve looked at all of the photos I’ve taken during my time here,” said Libberton, who joined the staff of Mount St. Clare College in July 2002. “This exhibit is truly a history of the changes from Mount St. Clare to The Franciscan University to Ashford University.” The photos in the exhibit will be arranged chronologically in a collage-like manner on the walls of the gallery.
As director of communications, Libberton has been the main photographer on the Clinton campus, chronicling the institution’s history and day-to-day events and the people who were involved in those events. His photos span a variety of subjects: athletic competitions, student activities and groups, and important campus milestones. Many of the images were featured in the University’s advertising and marketing materials.
“With digital photography, you have the luxury of taking multiple images to capture the perfect shot,” Libberton said. “Some of my favorite photos are the ones where I’ve been able to capture people being themselves, instead of them being posed and staring into the camera, waiting for the shutter to click.”
In addition to being director of communications, Libberton has been advisor to the Ashford Photography Club, Saints Media Productions, and Spirit Club. He has also chaperoned service trips to Chicago, Oklahoma, and Tennessee.
Libberton, who received his bachelor of science degree in journalism from Southern Illinois University at Edwardsville, lives in Mt. Carroll with his wife Judy. They have two children and two grandchildren.
He has been a member of the Timber Lake Playhouse board of directors since 1992 and is a member of the Carroll County Haiti Mission Project.
The Cortona Art Gallery is located on the second floor of Ashford University’s St. Clare Hall at 400 North Bluff Boulevard in Clinton. The gallery is named for Sister Cortona Phelan, OSF, former president of Mount St. Clare College (MSC) and former president of the Sisters of St. Francis. For many years, Sister Cortona influenced the quality of education at the college through her teaching of American history and her love of the arts. She also served as MSC Academy principal and as dean of students at the college.
About Ashford University
Where heritage meets innovation – that’s Ashford University. At Ashford, students discover relevant degree programs, innovative technology, and cherished tradition. Ashford offers associates, bachelor’s, and master’s degree programs online, allowing students to balance life by providing the flexibility to do school work anywhere, anytime. For more information, please visit www.ashford.edu, www.facebook.com/ashforduniversity, www.twitter.com/AshfordU, or call Marianne Perez, Media Relations Manager, at 858.513.9240 x11636.