Here's some great news for a Friday afternoon!
I just found out Virgie Smith, recently retired law librarian of
Washburn University School of Law, was designated Faculty Emeritus
Status by the university's board of regents. Even though the words
from my proposal (see below) cannot come close to describing her
contributions to the university and our profession, I hope they at
least provide a brief glimpse of her outstanding service...
-----
According to section three, part nine of the faculty handbook, “During
the first semester of each year, the Dean of each School or College
shall recommend those who are eligible for emeritus status to the Vice
President for Academic Affairs who will recommend to the President for
Board of Regents approval.”
As the faculty senator representing the law library unit, I am happy
to encourage you to recommend Ms. Virgie Smith for the emeritus status.
VPAA Ron Wasserstein once mentioned to the faculty senate that
emeritus status is a special relationship between the retiree and the
university. I have mentioned the emeritus status to Ms. Smith and she
would be honored.
“The emeritus title is intended to honor faculty members who have made
a significant contribution to Washburn University through teaching,
research or service. Individuals retiring after five years of
continuous full-time service as members of the General Faculty
immediately preceding their retirement are eligible for the
designation.”
Ms. Virgie Smith first joined Washburn in 1976 as a cataloger. In
1986, she switched to her present position of reference and collection
maintenance librarian. For the past thirty years, she has been and
continues to be an inspiration to other law librarians. She has worked
diligently to maintain the law library’s archive and general stacks
collection. In doing this, she has become a wealth of knowledge about
and for the law school. She has helped hundreds of law students
accomplish their educational/career goals. As a reference librarian,
Ms. Smith spends almost half of her time at the reference desk
teaching legal information literacy. However, when necessary, she goes
above and beyond ordinary service by providing a personal touch and
creating memorable relationships. Alumni who visit their alma mater
often make a special effort to seek her out. She is that memorable!
In addition, Ms. Smith is a leader in the community. She is an active
member of the New Jerusalem Missionary Baptist Church and has been
involved in endeavors and outreach services in the community such as
visiting various nursing homes, teaching Sunday school, singing and
directing the Adult Choir, and serving as KVD Project 66 Chair, Church
Clerk and Deaconess, Publicity Chair for the Topeka Churches Singing
Convention, and Corresponding Secretary of Topeka City Mission Union.
This last service resulted in her being named as a Topeka City Mission
Union honoree. Other activities include membership in the NAACP,
regular attendance at the Brown v. Board Foundation events, and
singing at the Martin Luther King- Living the Dream Celebration. Last
but not least, her love for music also compliments her commitment to
education. Ms. Smith helped to establish a scholarship named in her
honor- the Virgie A. Smith Music Scholarship.
-----
Congratulations Virgie!!! It has been an honor and privilege working
with you for the last few years.
Sincerely,
Andrew
Andrew Evans, JD, MLS
Gov Docs Librarian/Legal Ref Coordinator
Washburn University Law Library
1700 SW College Ave
Topeka KS 66621
(785) 670-1787
andrew.evans@washburn.edu
This archive was generated by hypermail 2b29 : Wed Nov 14 2007 - 20:46:38 PST