It was a night of both cheerful celebration and deep reflection at the 2026 Deans' and Directors’ Lecture and Awards ceremony.
Over 80 members of the School of Information Science community gathered to celebrate the accomplishments of both the organization and specific individuals. The event was held in the Campus room at Capstone on Thursday, April 2.
"From our school library program ranking in the top five in the country to raising over $150,000 for Cocky's Reading Express, this has been an extraordinary year for the iSchool," said iSchool director Lyda Fontes McCartin, Ph.D. "Tonight is a chance to pause and celebrate the people who made it all possible."
Many in the room had to hold back tears as Clayton Copeland, Ph.D., introduced her mentor Linda Lucas Walling, Ph.D., the recipient of the John N. Olsgaard Distinguished Service Award.
Speaking about Walling's impact, Copeland said, “You see, she had a vision, a vision for a world where everyone is treated with kindness. Where everyone is respected and valued. And that everyone has ability that they can share with the world.”
Walling began her address will a tongue-in-cheek poem about the vicissitudes of a professor’s life before delving into the broader societal value of having open access to information.
“Our goal, whether on the library side or the information science side, even the J-school side,” said Walling, “needs to be to help members of the community to break through the barriers, to get accurate, reliable information, as much as possible, with as little bias as possible.”
2026 Award Recipients
Courtney Swartzendruber
Robert V. Williams Research Award - This award honors a student who has made exemplary contributions to scholarly research.
Allison Hall
William M. Trafton III Outstanding Student Award for Leadership - This is given annually to an outstanding student leader who promotes a sense of community
at the iSchool through school work, professional participation and involvement with
student organizations.
Kim Wood
Wayne S. Yenawine Distinguished Student Award - This award is presented to a graduate from the previous year's class based on the
entirety of the student experience including grade point average, quality of class
participation and the ability to assimilate information and pass it on.
Caleb Counts
Samantha K. Hastings Student Award for Undergraduate Leadership - This award honors an outstanding undergraduate student leader in the school.
Cooper Grant and Ernest Helms
Undergraduate Scholarship Award - This award honors an outstanding undergraduate student for academic excellence.
Tamara King
F. William Summers Outstanding Alumni Award - This award recognizes an individual who has made significant contributions to the
school and whose career reflects a commitment to excellence and dedication to the
advancement of the profession.
Ellie Davis
Information Science Student Association Scholarship - The ISSA Scholarship honors active members who demonstrate meaningful involvement
in ISSA, a genuine commitment to the organization's goals, and a drive to grow both
personally and professionally within the field.
Elizabeth Hartnett, Randy Heath and Margaret Cook Jackson
Director's Award for Excellence - This award is presented to individuals who have made significant contributions to
the school.
Linda Lucas Walling
John N. Olsgaard Distinguished Service Award - recognizes an individual who has made exceptional contributions to the iSchool through
a wide variety of service to students, faculty, and staff.
Allison Marie Hall, Rebecca Althea Harrill, Lysette Marie House, Alice Esther Ruselis,
Alethea K. Sims, Kimberly Wood
Recognition of Beta Phi Mu Initiates - Inductees are selected by the faculty based
on scholarship, leadership and service.