Martin Benjamin, professor of photography, received the Community
Service Award from the Hudson Mohawk Association of Colleges and Universities, at their
annual dinner on April 7.
Benjamin was cited for his work in photography with mentally-disabled
adults at the Schenectady County Association for Retarded Citizens (ARC).
The project had its beginning several years ago when Benjamin visited an
ARC day treatment program and let some of the clients use his camera.
The project included a 10-week class for nine adults – taught with
help from several Union students – and ongoing mentoring with several of the
students. The program culminated last year in a show titled Good Shots –
Photographs of and by people with disabilities. It premiered at Union Feb. 13,
1997, and has traveled extensively since then.