Larry Schwarm was one of the first to arrive in Greensburg, Kan. after a tornado hit the town on May 4, 2007.

He packed up from his Kansas City home, and drove out to what was left of his hometown after his parents called at 2:00 a.m. A photographer by trade, he grabbed his camera gear out of second nature.

He could see the damage and destruction from the outskirts of town, which brought out his sense of visual preservation.

“I just kept thinking this is the biggest moment in this town’s history,” Schwarm said. “Somebody needs to document this.”

He is bringing that experience and other photography know-how to Wichita State as a new faculty fellow in the College of Fine Arts with the support and donations of friends and photography enthusiasts.

He didn’t arrive in Greensburg that fateful day prepared, but Schwarm took shots until he ran out of film and light. Going into a restricted area blocked off by the National Guard to protect against looters could have gotten him into a lot of trouble, but he said it was worth the risk.

“What I really loved about photography was that it was a way to preserve a moment,” Schwarm said. “I realized that things I would see on an every day basis I would say ‘Oh, look at that!’ and most of those things I would never remember but if you took a photograph it’s there forever.”

Schwarm bought his first camera and film-developing kit after his son was born and was quickly fascinated by the process of photography and the permanent element that the hobby can attain.

This led to a career in commercial photographer, portrait and landscape photography and in education.

Schwarm just ended a 25-year teaching position at Emporia State University. He lived in Emporia for 18 years but seven years ago he and his wife moved to Wichita for her medical practice. He has been commuting ever since. After years of shuttling back and forth, he is ready for a new challenge.

“I’ve had a very good run there but I’m tired of commuting and something that really attracts me to this job is [WSU] has a graduate program for the school of art and design,” he said.

Schwarm said he has been brought into the school of art and design to help establish a photography major at WSU. It could not have happened without the support of others.

“The role of donors and private gifts was absolutely crucial,” Rodney Miller, Dean of the College of Fine Arts, said. “If it were not for these friends stepping up and making their commitment, this would not have happened.”