New Chamber Board Director Has Bird’s-Eye View of the Future

By Mark Saldaña

The Wylie Chamber of Commerce welcomed its new board chair, Daphne Babcock, in January. She serves as the Collin College Dean of Academic Affairs and Workforce Programs at the Wylie Campus, and unlike her favorite hobby, public service is no flight of fancy for the Collin College dean.

Daphne served on the chamber’s board-at-large for two years. She has been working at Collin College for 24 years, serving first as a full-time faculty member, and then making her way up to administration. She enjoys giving back to her community in a variety of ways and, as busy as she is, she tries to set aside some down time for her bird-watching hobby.

“I love learning about birds and practicing bird photography. I find birds intriguing because of their various shapes, sizes, and colors,” Daphne said. “Their diverse habitats make them fascinating subjects to study and photograph.”

About nine years ago, realizing the need for practice, she purchased her first professional camera before going on a trip to Alaska. As time has progressed, she has become highly conscious of lighting, color, and background of her bird photos.

“When trying to capture a great photo of a bird, it’s important to be calm, perceptive, and aware of your surroundings,” Daphne said. “Sometimes, when I am editing my photos, I look at them and ask myself if the lighting was proper enough, or if the shutter speed was fast enough or too slow depending on the situation.”

She tries to take advantage of any chance to go outdoors and take magnificent photos of birds in their natural habitats. Not only does it take her out of her everyday lifestyle, but it also provides her the opportunity to spread knowledge by sharing sightings, which helps advance bird science and conservation.

In the future, Daphne wishes to contribute to her community by volunteering at a senior citizen center. She hopes to take those who share her interest with her on her bird-watching trips to show them how and why she does what she does.

“I find that giving back to my community is so rewarding, especially when you can share a passion of yours with others who have similar passions, no matter what age group,” Babcock said. •

To apply or register for classes at the Wylie Campus, visit www.collin.edu/campuses/wylie.

For more information about Collin College, visit our website www.collin.edu.