Cardinal Points

Issue date: 10/27/06 Section: Life

Media Credit: Holly Boname There is a display of Josh Williams' work located in the Kent Atrium in the Feinberg Library. There are 15 photos from Williams' time in Iraq and 10 from his Hurricane Katrina series. The gallery will be open to the public until Jan. 7, 2007.

Whoever said, "Great minds think alike" never met Josh Williams, a Plattsburgh State University College alumnus who has made a career out of using his great mind to think unlike his peers.

It is this philosophy that has propelled Williams, a journalism graduate from 2002, toward becoming one of the most accomplished photojournalists in the world, a mere four years after leaving college.

"How can I be different, and how can I be better than my competition?" Williams asked himself when trying to determine how to approach his career.

Now an official freelancer and the lead photographer for the New York Post, Williams has, according to PSUC Journalism Professor Shawn Murphy, put himself "20 years ahead of other photographers, thanks to hard work and dedication."

"I'm very excited to have him back here today," Murphy said during his introduction speech at Williams' presentation last Friday in the Angel College Center Alumni Conference Room.

Williams came back to PSUC for the alumni homecoming event.

On Friday, he presented a DVD slideshow of some of his best work, taken in places such as Baghdad, New Orleans, and New York City, set to music by Bruce Springsteen, U2, Ray Charles, and Pink Floyd, along with a selection of Arabic music.

The slideshow consisted of segments focusing on the children of Baghdad, the funerals of U.S. soldiers, the streets of Baghdad, the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina in New Orleans and New York City police work.

Prior to the showing of the DVD, Student Association President Michael Cashman called it a "spectacular presentation," and presented Williams with the SA's "Off to a Good Start" alumni award, in recognition of his quickly advancing career.

"I better not screw up," Williams said in response to the award.

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