The Association of Former Students (AFS) Distinguished Librarianship Award was presented to Susie Goodwin (pictured at right), associate professor and head of Learning and Outreach Services, at a ceremony in the Sterling C. Evans Library Oct. 9.

The award goes back 25 years to its first recipient, Kathy Jackson, in 1985. The Association set up distinguished college level teaching awards in 1983, according to Kelli Hutka, director of Campus Programs at The Association of Former Students.

“Someone at the Association took note of the work being done by Libraries’ faculty and decided an award in Librarianship was needed,” she said.

In its 25-year history, the award has been bestowed annually to librarians who have “made superior contributions to the University through outstanding accomplishments, dedication, and service on behalf of all students.”

“The AFS Distinguished Librarianship Award is the most prestigious award the University gives to library faculty members.” Colleen Cook, dean of the Texas A&M University Libraries and former recipient, said.

A call for nominations is sent out in May by Joyce Thornton, associate dean for Faculty Services. Those making nominations send a letter of nomination along with up to six letters of endorsement from people inside and outside of the Libraries.

Each college may submit one nomination, the dean of the Libraries may submit up to two nominations, and the director of the Williams Library at Galveston can submit one nomination, according to Hutka.

A librarian is eligible if he or she has not received another Librarianship or AFS College Teaching Award in the last five years and has completed three full years of service to Texas A&M University. 

A selection committee is formed consisting of faculty members along with one current student and one former student, according to Thornton.

“The AFS award is a great honor,” Kathy Weimer, associate professor and coordinator of Map and GIS Collections and Services and former recipient, said. “It is peer nominated and is a great way to recognize someone's contributions. Also, it is unique among libraries. I don't know of any other library that has this type of award. Being a former student myself, I was quite touched to receive the award last year.”

The Office of the Dean of Faculties coordinates selection and schedules a ceremony where the AFS presents a $2,000 check and certificate to the recipient.

“It’s nice to be acknowledged by the students and to know the AFS is seeing your efforts and recognizing them as meaningful to the student body,” Goodwin said. “It’s nice to know you’re making their time here meaningful in terms of study.”

The Association of Former Students, a non-profit organization that generates about $7 million in funds each year for University programs, presents 30 distinguished teaching awards annually.

“This award is important because the libraries are a critical component to our students’ learning process,” Hutka said.

Previous Award Recipients

1985 – Kathy M. Jackson
1986 – Jo Berg
1987 – Donald Dyal
1988 – Vicki Anders
1989 – Hal W. Hall
1990 – Leila M. Payne
1991 – Mel Dodd
1992 – Colleen Cook
1993 – David L. Chapman
1994 – Julia M. Rholes
1995 – Kathrine J. MacNeil
1996 – Jane A. Dodd
1997 – Steven E. Smith
1998 – Norma F. Funkhouser
1999 – Suzanne Gyeszly
2000 – Anne Highsmith
2001 – Natalie Wiest
2002 – Candace Benefiel
2003 – Charles Schultz
2004 – Esther Carrigan
2005 – Pixey Anne Mosley
2006 – Christine Foster
2007 – Lan Yang
2008 – Kathy Weimer
2009 – Susan Goodwin