As Dickinson State University (DSU) prepares to release 100 Years of DSU Football this summer, the cover of this commemorative book needed to be just as special as the history it honors. Enter Heather Cabral, a DSU sophomore and student photographer whose work will grace the front of this historic publication.
A Photographer in the Making
For Heather, photography isn’t just a hobby; it’s a lifelong passion. It all started in 2007, when she unwrapped her very first camera, a pink Little Tikes model gifted to her by her grandparents. From that moment, she was hooked. Her journey behind the lens continued in eighth grade when she joined the Yearbook Club and got to experiment with a DSLR camera. Throughout high school, she continued taking photos at school events under the guidance of dedicated mentors like Ms. Paula Williams, Mrs. Susan Moberg, and Mrs. Cassy Gebhardt.
Mrs. Gebhardt, in particular, played a key role in shaping Heather’s artistic eye. As her yearbook advisor, art teacher, and photography mentor, she introduced Heather to both film and digital photography, teaching her everything from camera settings to post-production techniques.
Now a sophomore at DSU majoring in Elementary Education with a minor in Leadership Studies, Heather is a student employee of the University Relations team, where she continues to refine her skills, working with professional-grade cameras and editing software.
100 Years, One Iconic Image
When DSU needed a photographer to capture the essence of a century of Blue Hawk football, Heather was the perfect choice. One of the book’s authors, Dr. Debora Dragseth, first discovered Heather’s talent in the classroom. "Heather was a freshman in one of my classes when I first learned about her remarkable gift for photography," said Dr. Dragseth. "When it came time to select a photographer for the cover image of this historic project, Heather was the obvious choice.”
For Heather, DSU is more than just a school – it’s a family tradition. Her mother and two aunts are alumni, and her great-grandmother played a role in DSU history as well, keeping the residence halls spotless from 1961 to 1979. Now, Heather is making her own mark on DSU history, one photo at a time.
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By: Debora Dragseth, Baker Boy Professor of Leadership | School of Business and Entrepreneurship Dickinson State University
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