{"id":100,"date":"2025-10-16T19:25:24","date_gmt":"2025-10-16T19:25:24","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/wp-pilot.library.illinois.edu\/libinfo\/?page_id=100"},"modified":"2026-04-03T15:58:44","modified_gmt":"2026-04-03T15:58:44","slug":"faculty-staff","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/wp-pilot.library.illinois.edu\/libinfo\/about\/faculty-staff\/","title":{"rendered":"Faculty & Staff Accomplishments"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Endowed Appointments<\/h2>\n\n\n
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\r\n\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\tAllen and Elaine Avner Endowed Professorship in Interdisciplinary Research Fund\t\t\t<\/summary>\r\n\t\t\t\t\n\n

Current Appointee: Heidi Imker, Head of Research Data Services<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The professorship, a position through which meta-research will help identify ways that a major research library can best assist such work\u2014either through existing resources or by providing new directions, was established with a gift from longtime Library Friend Allen Avner in November 2017.<\/p>\n\n\r\n\t\t<\/details>\r\n\t<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\n\r\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\n\n

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\r\n\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\tRalph Fisher Library Scholar in Slavic, East European and Eurasion Collections and Services\t\t\t<\/summary>\r\n\t\t\t\t\n\n

Current Appointees: Joe Lenkart, International Reference Librarian; Kit Condill, Russian, East European & Eurasian Studies Librarian<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Professor Larry Miller collaborated with Ralph Talcott Fisher, Jr. and others to build an outstanding research library in the Russian and East European field which attracts scholars from around the world. The establishment of the Ralph Fisher University Scholars program is how Miller paid tribute to Fisher, his respected colleague, while creating his own legacy.<\/p>\n\n\r\n\t\t<\/details>\r\n\t<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\n\r\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\n\n

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\r\n\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\tStewart S. Howe Archivist of Student Life and Culture as an Endowed Professor\t\t\t<\/summary>\r\n\t\t\t\t\n\n

Current Appointee: Ellen Swain,  Archivist for Student Life and Culture<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Illinois alumnus Stewart S. Howe provided the impetus for the development of the Student Life and Culture Archival Program at the University of Illinois Archives. Howe was founder of the Stewart S. Howe Alumni Service, which provided management, public relations, and fund-raising assistance to fraternities, sororities, and institutions of higher education. He had a life-long interest in higher education and was a dedicated collector of material dealing with fraternal organizations and other areas of college life.<\/p>\n\n\r\n\t\t<\/details>\r\n\t<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\n\r\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\n\n

\r\n\n
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\r\n\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\tAndrew W. Mellon Endowed Senior Conservator\t\t\t<\/summary>\r\n\t\t\t\t\n\n

Current Appointee: Quinn Morgan Ferris, Senior Conservator for Special Collections<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\r\n\t\t<\/details>\r\n\t<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\n\r\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\n\n

\r\n\n
\r\n\t
\r\n\t
\r\n\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\tAndrew W. Mellon Endowed Conservator\t\t\t<\/summary>\r\n\t\t\t\t\n\n

Current Appointee: Jody S. Waitzman, Conservator<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\r\n\t\t<\/details>\r\n\t<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\n\r\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\n\n

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\r\n\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\tC. Walter Mortenson and Gerda B. Mortenson Distinguished Professorship for International Library Programs\t\t\t<\/summary>\r\n\t\t\t\t\n\n

Current Appointee: Clara Chu, Director, Mortenson Center for International Library Programs<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

C. Walter and Gerda B. Mortenson envisioned a program for the promotion of international education, understanding, and peace through library programs. Their gift created the Mortenson Distinguished Professorship for International Library Programs at Illinois.<\/p>\n\n\r\n\t\t<\/details>\r\n\t<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\n\r\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\n\n

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\r\n\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\tJuanita J. and Robert E. Simpson Rare Book and Manuscript Library Professorship\t\t\t<\/summary>\r\n\t\t\t\t\n\n

Current Appointee: Lynne Thomas, Head, Rare Book & Manuscript Library<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Bob and Juanita Simpson supported the University Library for more than 20 years and shared Library Dean Paula Kaufman\u2019s passion and  vision for the University Library. Their gifts for this deanship, as well as for the Juanita J. and Robert E. Simpson Rare Book & Manuscript Library Chair, have provided invaluable funding for Library programs and projects.<\/p>\n\n\r\n\t\t<\/details>\r\n\t<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\n\r\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\n\n

\r\n\n
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\r\n\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\tJuanita J. and Robert E. Simpson University Library Deanship\t\t\t<\/summary>\r\n\t\t\t\t\n\n

Current Appointee: Claire Stewart, University Librarian and Dean of Libraries<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Bob and Juanita Simpson supported the University Library for more than 20 years and shared Library Dean Paula Kaufman\u2019s passion and vision for the University Library. Their gifts for this deanship, as well as for the Juanita J. and Robert E. Simpson Rare Book & Manuscript Library Chair, have provided invaluable funding for Library programs and projects.<\/p>\n\n\r\n\t\t<\/details>\r\n\t<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\n\r\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\n\n

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\r\n\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\tAndrew S. G. Turyn Professor\t\t\t<\/summary>\r\n\t\t\t\t\n\n

Current Appointee: Myung-Ja Han, Metadata Librarian<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Andrew S. G. Turyn Endowed Professorship was established through a significant gift from the estate of former librarian, alumnus, and longtime Library Friend Andrew Turyn. Offered on a five-year rotating basis, it is open to full professors of library administration who are pursuing innovative research in any scholarly area, including library and information science, the humanities, the sciences, the social sciences, the arts, and other fields.<\/p>\n\n\r\n\t\t<\/details>\r\n\t<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\n\r\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\n\n

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\r\n\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\tJohn \u2018Bud\u2019 Velde Endowed Professorship\t\t\t<\/summary>\r\n\t\t\t\t\n\n

Current Appointee: Jennifer Hain Teper, Head of Preservation Services<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

A longtime Library Friend, Mr. Velde was involved in the support and direction of libraries at local and national levels for many years. In addition his monetary gifts, Mr. Velde and his wife Gretchen Swanson Velde donated the University Library\u2019s 7- and 8-millionth volumes, as well as a one-of-a-kind set of works by Charles Dickens.<\/p>\n\n\r\n\t\t<\/details>\r\n\t<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\n\r\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\n\n\n

Publications by Library Faculty and Academic Professionals<\/a><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Recognizing Excellence Blog<\/a><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Library’s Outstanding Employee Awards<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The University Library annually recognizes the contributions and accomplishments of Library employees in advancing the mission of the University Library and assisting faculty, staff, and students. Nominations can be submitted by peers or supervisors, and the winners are selected by the Awards and Recognition Committee. This page lists past winners of these awards.<\/p>\n\n\n

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\r\n\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\tOutstanding Public Engagement\t\t\t<\/summary>\r\n\t\t\t\t\n\n

2024-2025: Jessica Ballard-Lawrence, University Archives<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

2022-2023: Sarah Christensen, Teaching, Learning, and Academic Support<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

2021-2022: Sara Benson, Scholarly Communication and Publishing<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

2020-2021: Mara Thacker, International & Area Studies Library<\/a><\/p>\n\n\r\n\t\t<\/details>\r\n\t<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\n\r\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\n\n

\r\n\n
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\r\n\t
\r\n\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\tOutstanding Academic or Civil Service Professional\t\t\t<\/summary>\r\n\t\t\t\t\n\n

2025-2026: Krista Gray<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

2024-2025: Heather Murphy<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

2023-2024: Helen Zhou<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

2022-2023: Mark Zulauf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

2021-2022: Susan Braxton, Megean Osuchowski<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

2020-2021: Jonathan Gorman<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

2019-2020: Stephanie Baker<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

2018-2019: Miriam Centeno<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

2017-2018: Eric Kurt<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

2016-2017: Jennifer Maddox Abbott<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

2015-2016: Susan Schnuer<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

2014-2015: Dennis Sears<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

2013-2014: Joe Lenkart<\/a><\/p>\n\n\r\n\t\t<\/details>\r\n\t<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\n\r\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\n\n

\r\n\n
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\r\n\t
\r\n\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\tOutstanding Civil Service Staff Member\t\t\t<\/summary>\r\n\t\t\t\t\n\n

2024-2025: Kara Hagen, Rosemary Trippe<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

2023-2024: Steve Bermingham, Gennye Varvel<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

2022-2023: B.A. Davis-Howe, Kyle McCafferty<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

2021-2022: Sarah Bial, Norris Purdy<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

2020-2021: Kristen Blankenship, Joseph Hall-Ingram<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

2019-2020: Faraba Parish, Lesli Lundquist<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

2018-2019: Julie Bumpus, Aneitre Johnson<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

2017-2018: Rand Hartsell, Jessica LeCrone<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

2016-2017: Stuart Albert, Gregg Homerding<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

2015-2016: Jan Adamcyzk, Lindy Wheatley<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

2014-2015: Paul Kotheimer, Zoe Revell<\/p>\n\n\n\n

2013-2014: Wendy Gregory, Jody Waitzman<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

2012-2013: Madeline Gibson, Peggy Glatthaar, Sandy Wolf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\r\n\t\t<\/details>\r\n\t<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\n\r\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\n\n

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\r\n\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\tOutstanding Faculty\t\t\t<\/summary>\r\n\t\t\t\t\n\n

2024-2025: Mar\u00eda Emerson<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

2023-2024: Jennifer Hain Teper<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

2022-2023: Matthew Roberts<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

2021-2022: Sara Holder<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

2013-2014: Nancy O\u2019Brien<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

2012-2013: Mary Laskowski<\/a><\/p>\n\n\r\n\t\t<\/details>\r\n\t<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\n\r\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\n\n

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\r\n\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\tOutstanding Graduate Assistant\t\t\t<\/summary>\r\n\t\t\t\t\n\n

2024-2025: Cadence Cordell, Yanling Liu<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

2023-2024: Elizabeth Budd, Flannery Cusick<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

2022-2023: Savannah Adams-Clark, Annika Deutsch<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

2021-2022: Leah DiCiesare, Jason Larsen<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

2020-2021: Kadet Alaks, Katherine Howell<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

2019-2020: Michael Cummings, Joshua Hackel<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

2018-2019: Sharon Han<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

2017-2018: Cristina Kuhn<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

2016-2017: Amber Ballinger<\/p>\n\n\n\n

2014-2015: Angie Stangl<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

2013-2014: Cate Kompare<\/a><\/p>\n\n\r\n\t\t<\/details>\r\n\t<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\n\r\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\n\n

\r\n\n
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\r\n\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\tOutstanding Undergraduate Student Employee\t\t\t<\/summary>\r\n\t\t\t\t\n\n

2024-2025: Rachel Mulick, Nathan Murphy<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

2023-2024: Ethan Park, Urva Vashi<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

2022-2023: Maggie Beese, Sophie Nikolov<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

2021-2022: Adam Chibe, Vera Mak<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

2020-2021: Andrew Gentrup, Victor Oscilowicz<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

2019-2020: Sammeer Jain, Jensen Rehn<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

2018-2019: Aaron Deeke, Chloe\u2019 Toussaint<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

2017-2018: Diane Shepherd, Katrina Toman<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

2016-2017: Alvaro Rodriguez, Brian Summers<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

2015-2016: Hannah Jellen, Bethany Murphy<\/p>\n\n\n\n

2014-2015: Amber Ballinger, Al Merkley<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

2013-2014: Greg Blaszczuk, Lillian Helms<\/a><\/p>\n\n\r\n\t\t<\/details>\r\n\t<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\n\r\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\n\n\n

Library Residency Program<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The University Library\u2019s Diversity Residency Program is designed to expand professional pathways for early-career librarians from historically underrepresented backgrounds and those who support the professional development of diverse individuals. This program provides residents with hands-on professional experience, mentorship, and career development opportunities in academic librarianship. As a member of the Association of College & Research Libraries (ACRL) Diversity Alliance, the University Library supports its mission to promote inclusive hiring practices and professional growth in the field. More information about the ACRL Diversity Alliance can be found at www.ala.org\/acrl\/issues\/diversityalliance<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In alignment with our mission to foster a supportive environment for all members of our university community,
this program is open to all eligible persons, regardless of race, color or national origin.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

For our 2026-2029 cohort, we are currently recruiting for the following positions:<\/p>\n\n\n\n