Larissa Heck’s portrait of Peiwei Li is one among three images she contributed to the exhibition.
NKU’s College of Informatics is paying tribute to the late educator, Gaut Ragsdale, through its 26th photography exhibition, “NKU: In Honor of Gaut Ragsdale.” Running until February 2025, the advising center’s display showcases images commemorating Ragsdale’s legacy and enduring influence on the campus.
Ragsdale dedicated decades to NKU, serving in various notable roles throughout his career. He passed away last May, and faculty and staff warmly honor him through their photography. One such individual is Professor John Gibson, who remembers Ragsdale as a “kind mentor” who guided his peers.
“Gaut was the quintessential professor—a scholar, an investigator, a remarkable educator,” Gibson stated. “When I gaze at that window, I reflect on those attributes.”
Gibson’s photography is both straightforward and moving. In one image, a large, solitary window provides a view of the campus. It is where Gibson and Ragsdale often conversed, peered outside, and shared coffee and anecdotes. In another, a slightly crumpled note basks in sunlight, accompanied by two coffee pods—Ragsdale’s handwritten message wishes Gibson a successful semester.
In numerous ways, Ragsdale illustrated to his colleagues how to embody a professor’s role and what it signifies to conduct oneself with integrity. The exhibit further emphasizes Ragsdale’s memorable maxims, referred to as “Gautisms.” One such saying is that a leopard never alters its spots.
“He always had a saying for every circumstance,” Gibson explained. “But as someone who devoted his entire professional life to education and mentorship, he understood these things.”
Another homage comes from Professor Michael Skaggs. He endeavored to capture photographs of every office Ragsdale occupied. His images display wooden doors decorated with Ragsdale’s name, resembling a map of his career across campus. It was a collaborative effort to locate the many spaces Ragsdale occupied. Skaggs and his colleagues researched old syllabi to uncover where Ragsdale had worked over the years.
“What I was contemplating was a sense of place, a continuity. Because when some individuals would encounter it, they would recall conversations with Gaut in that office,” Skaggs remarked.
Before the exhibition, the advising center featured plain white walls and fluorescent lighting—an empty area brimming with potential. In 2012, Ragsdale approached Skaggs with the concept of adorning the walls with photographs. The two began curating an exhibition showcasing the creativity of the staff.
Presently, the advising center hosts two exhibitions annually, with expansive themes such as Open, Places, People, and the current theme NKU. This provides an opportunity for staff and faculty to display their art, reminding students that they are more than just educators; they are also passionate creators.
“You encounter individuals in the corridors, like faculty and staff, walking by. You know that they engage in activities beyond teaching. You don’t always consider what their other creative pursuits might be,” Gibson shared.
Larissa Heck, Manager of Communication, Events and Administration, opted to center her photography around the disbandment of NKU’s diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) office in August. This decision impacted not only students but also faculty members.
“I recognize that NKU faced an insurmountable decision, but I simply wish it hadn’t unfolded this way,” Heck expressed. “It was a disappointing decision, and I believe many shared that sentiment.”
Heck specializes in capturing images at the College of Informatics (COI) and various events, documenting transient moments as they arise. Her camera captures fleeting bursts of laughter, pensive gazes of concentration, or even the resounding applause of audiences. Heck felt she had been immersing herself too deeply in photographic documentation, neglecting the artistic essence of these transient moments. Reflecting on her photography, she focused on several of the faces.
“I came to realize that the most stunning portraits I had captured featured diverse individuals,” said Heck. “This would be a wonderful opportunity to submit these and express my perspective.”
Art, in Heck’s view, is about expressing what you feel. Her photography illustrates how faculty and staff seize opportunities such as this exhibition to stand in solidarity with students and articulate their thoughts. In instances like the closing of the DEI office or the tragic loss of a cherished professor, art serves as a potent means of expression.