instructors
Instructor - Graphic Design
Phone: 850-729-5313
Campus Extension: 6313
E-Mail: atwoodb@owc.edu
•Mr. Benjamin Gillham
Instructor - Graphic Design
Phone: 850-729-6019
Campus Extension: 6019
E-Mail: gillhamb@owc.edu
lab technician
Benjamin Gillham is originally from Michigan. There he completed his undergraduate study in Visual Art at Albion College. Albion College is a small highly selective private liberal arts institution in southern Michigan. After earning his B.A., he worked as a freelance artist and was accepted into Michigan State University's M.F.A. program in Graphic Design. At MSU, his research was primarily in the areas of large format photography, and interactive media design. As he was working toward the M.F.A degree, he taught both Color and Design and Photography in MSU's undergraduate visual art program.
Upon graduation, he accepted the position of Assistant Professor of Art/Design at the University of Tennessee at Martin. There he developed the Graphic Design program as an expansion of the existing Visual Art program. In two years, the new Graphic Design program played a key role in doubling the enrollment of the Art program. In addition to his duties at UTM, Ben worked on a variety of freelance research/professional development opportunities.
Seeking greater challenges, he accepted his current position at Okaloosa-Walton College in 1998. His primary role in OWC's Graphic Design program has been to develop the department's photography and multimedia offerings as well as marrying the existing technological program with creative and aesthetic challenges.
Following the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, Ben volunteered his abilities to Headquarters Air Force Special Operations Command, at Hurlburt Field , Florida . During his time as a volunteer, he worked in tandem with his brother Andrew Gillham (Associate Professor of Graphic Design, Indiana University of Pennsylvania) and the AFSOC Director of Safety to develop the concept of a new proactive safety initiative called Digital Eagle. Digital Eagle is a mishap prevention and analysis aircrew training tool in the form of an interactive Digital Video Disk (DVD). The DVDs allow very close study of aircraft mishaps utilizing multiple angles of synchronized 3D animation and sound. In November of 2003, AFSOC Director of Safety Ken Poole awarded Ben and his brother the Commando Safety Award for Outstanding Achievement in Safety. Shortly after, they were brought on to develop the first Digital Eagle DVD as Department of the Air Force Civilian employees through the Intergovernmental Personnel Act.
100 College Boulevard
Niceville, Florida 32578
850-678-5111
