Past Alumni Award Winners
Below are the awards and award winners who have received recognition for their accomplishments as well as our acclaim over the years.
iSchool Library and Information Science Alumnus of the Year
For library and information science graduates who have made a significant contribution to the profession
- 2021 - , M.L.I.S. '10
- 2020 - Alan Canfora, M.L.S. '80
- 2019 - , M.L.S. '00
- 2018 - Anastasia Diamond-Ortiz, M.L.S. '98
- 2017 - Joseph A. Salem, Jr., M.L.S '99
- 2016 - William C. Barrow, M.L.S. '98
- 2015 - Catherine Hakala-Ausperk, M.L.S. '91
- 2014 - Rollie James Welch, M.L.S. '92
- 2013 - Sue Polanka, M.L.S. '95
- 2012 - Jeff Young, M.L.S. '02
- 2011 - Andrea Muto, M.L.S. '98
- 2010 - Sharon Schmitt, M.L.S. '93
- 2009 - Jim Hunter, M.L.S '69
- 2008 - , M.L.S. '81
- 2007 - Martha Kyrillidou, M.L.S. '90
- 2006 - Martha Regula, M.L.S. '95
- 2005 - C. Allen Nichols, M.L.S. '93
- 2004 - Dr. Maja Zumer
- 2003 - Carol Roddy, M.L.S. '81
- 2002 - Jeff French, M.L.S. '82
- 2001 - Holly Carroll,
- 2000 - Michael Lucas, M.L.S. '78
- 1999 - Lois J. Buttlar, Ph.D.
- 1998 - Millie Fry, M.L.S. '86
- 1997 - Christine Butler,M.L.S. '88
- 1996 - Janice Smuda
- 1994 - Lawrence J. Olszewski, M.L.S. '78
- 1993 - Laurence Hallewell, M.L.S. '85
- 1992 - Peter Hegedus
- 1991 - Sharon L. Baker
- 1990 - Joel S. Kent, M.L.S '79
- 1989 - Marjorie E. Murfin, M.L.S '70
- 1988 - Kriza Jennings, M.L.S. '83
- 1987 - Cynthia Rylant
iSchool Master of Science Alumnus of the Year
For graduates who have made a significant contribution to the profession
Formerly known as the Information Architecture and Knowledge Management Alumnus of the Year
- 2021 - Felesia MacDonald, M.S. '15
- 2020 - Brent Hicks, M.S. '19
- 2019 - Ben White, M.S. '14
- 2018 - Carrianne Tuckley, M.S., M.L.I.S. '06
- 2017 - Hildy Pearl, M.S. '15
- 2016 - Edwin K. Morris, M.S. '12
- 2015 - Don P. Jason III, M.L.I.S '13
- 2014 - Jason Shawbell, M.S. '13 (health informatics)
- 2013 - Not awarded
- 2012 - Paige Lucas Stannard
Thomas J. Froehlich Award
For academic excellence and promise for leadership in the field of information architecture and knowledge management
- 2021 - Andy Vitale, M.S. '16
- 2020 - Dawn Sedor, M.S. '19
- 2019 - Alice Sue Claeys, M.S. '18
- 2018 - Richard Detsch, M.S. '17
- 2017 - Tasha Markovich, M.S. '15
- 2016 - Martha Balash, M.S. '15
- 2015 - Sean Petiya, M.L.I.S '14
- 2014 - Amy Lensenmayer, M.S. '13
- 2013 - Edwin K. Morris, M.S. '12
- 2012 - Ruwaida Salem
iSchool Friend of the Year
For graduates and others who have made a significant contribution to the School
- 2021 - Michael Solomon
- 2020 - Beverly Cain, M.L.S. '86
- 2019 - Richard Rubin, M.L.S. ’76
- 2018 - Nancy Huffman Rue, M.L.S. ’69
- 2017 - Carrie Burrier
- 2016 - Thomas Froehlich
- 2015 - Carolyn Brodie
- 2014 - VanitaBooks
- 2013 - Don W. Barlow and Michael O. Bice
- 2012 - Beverly Cain
- 2011 - Deva Walker
- 2010 - Allan Fenner, Jason Forbes, Jay Graham and Daniel Tonelli
- 2009 - Steve Updegraff
- 2008 - David Creamer, Ph.D.
- 2007 - William C. Barrow and Robert K. Gray
- 2006 - Carol A. Cartwright, Ph.D.
- 2005 - David Jennings
- 2004 - Highsmith Inc, Kent State Libraries & Media Services and The Reinberger Foundation
- 2003 - Nancy Lensenmayer and Meribah Mansfield
- 2002 - Marge Hayden
- 2001 - J.W. Coffman
- 2000 - Frances Haley and William Studer
- 1999 - Ernst and Young Business Resource Center
- 1998 - Priscilla L. Drach
August Alpers Award
For library and information science graduates who contributed the most to the school as a student, while maintaining a good grade point average
- 2021 - Zachary J. Immel, M.S. '20
- 2020 - Jacquie Kociubuk, M.L.I.S. '19
- 2019 - Carla Everstijn, M.L.I.S. ’18
- 2018 - Eileen A. Horansky, M.L.I.S. ’17
- 2017 - Julaine Clunis, M.L.I.S. '16 and M.S. '16
- 2016 - David Todd, M.L.I.S. '15
- 2015 - Celia Emmelhainz, M.L.I.S., '14
- 2014 - Don Jason, M.L.I.S., M.S. '13 (health informatics)
- 2013 - Elizabeth Miyajima, M.L.I.S. '12
- 2012 - Elizabeth Owens, M.L.I.S. '11
- 2011 - Derek Zoladz, M.L.I.S. '10
- 2010 - Shelley Blundell, M.L.I.S. '09
- 2009 - Sarah Osinsky, M.L.I.S. '08
- 2008 - Heather Bryan and Amber Burtis, M.L.I.S. '07
- 2007 - Lowell Lybarger and Tekla Slider, M.L.I.S. '06
- 2006 - Ione Damasco and Cheryl Wolfe, M.L.I.S. '05
- 2005 - Brian Gray, M.L.I.S. '04
- 2004 - Rochelle Baker and Alana Kumbier, M.L.I.S. '03
- 2003 - Patricia Devlin and Janna Korzenko, M.L.I.S. '02
- 2002 - Edith Scarletto, M.L.I.S. '01
- 2001 - Bryan Craig and Christine Liebson, M.L.S. '00
- 2000 - Susan Banks
- 1999 - Craig A. Clark and Kathleen Pl Mardis, M.L.S '99
- 1998 - Joanna Hart and Vicky Schmarr, M.L.S. '98
- 1997 - Donna Ericson, M.L.S. '96
- 1996 - Steve Bancik
- 1995 - Bill Gornall
- 1994 - Richard Brhel,M.L.S '94
- 1993 - Andrea Olson, M.L.S. '93
- 1992 - Connie Conner, M.L.S '92
- 1991 - Kathleen Marten, M.L.S. '90
- 1990 - Eric Celeste, M.L.S '90
- 1989 - Nancy Eames, M.L.S. '89
- 1988 - Yan Ma, M.L.S. '88
- 1987 - Patricia Collet
Dan MacLachlan School Library Media Award
For library and information science graduates who have exhibited creativity, leadership and dedication to the K-12 audience
- 2021 - Margaret Fisher-Bellman, Non-degree School Library Media, '20
- 2020 - Mallory McCorkhill, M.Ed./M.L.I.S. S.L.M. '19
- 2019 - Angela Jameson, M.L.I.S. ’17 and Kristin Jónsson, M.L.I.S. '18
- 2018 - Alexandra Bell, M.L.I.S. ’17 and Amanda O’Mara, M.L.I.S. '17
- 2017 - Andria Morningstar-Gray and Laurie Katusin Swallen
- 2016 - Kristin Bugnitz and Sheree Howard
- 2015 - Robert Kaminski and Hope Hall
- 2014 - Christine Andersen and Alexandra French
- 2013 - Kay Holton and Jamie Riley
- 2012 - Karyn Lewis and Jodi Cooper Wentz
- 2011 - Elisabeth Ruiz-Flint
- 2010 - Trent Roberts and Angela Wojtecki
- 2009 - Kristen Klein and Kristi Zofchak
- 2008 - Whitney Sapienza and Brittany Suman
- 2007 - Judy Crist and Sharon Starr
- 2006 - Paula Baco and Jeffrey Kidwell
- 2005 - Maureen Haplin and Christine Toogood
- 2004 - Christine Down and Teresa Pace
- 2003 - Amy Bloomberg and Angela Griggs
- 2002 - Jennifer Homza and Leslie Rowe
- 2001 - Susan Haines and Denise Rehm
- 2000 - Barbara Begin-Campbell and Kathy Rattison
- 1999 - Diane M. Christensen and Diana L. Rice
H.F. Group Preservation Award
For library and information science graduates who, as students, demonstrated outstanding scholarship and an interest in the area of library preservation
- 2021 - Narine Bournoutian, M.L.I.S. '20 and Mark Minelli, M.L.I.S., '20
- 2020 - Catarina Figueirinhas, M.L.I.S. '19
- 2019 - Courtney Dalessandro, M.L.I.S. '18
- 2017 - Alexa Elgabri, M.L.I.S. '15
- 2016 - Danielle Maynard, M.L.I.S. '15
- 2015 - Elizabeth Meinke, M.L.I.S. '14
- 2014 - Meagan Dieterling, M.L.I.S. '13
- 2013 - Jason Bumbico, M.L.I.S. '12
- 2012 - Jon-Erik Gilot, M.L.I.S. '11
- 2011 - Emily Lockhart, M.L.I.S. '10
- 2010 - Sasha Westgate, and Jeffrey Zarate, M.L.I.S. '09
- 2009 - Shannon Hampp, M.L.I.S. '08
- 2008 - Jason Crabill, M.L.I.S. '07 and Brian Meggitt, M.L.I.S. '07
- 2007 - Kristine Kinzer, M.L.I.S. '06
- 2006 - Sarah Lynix, M.L.I.S. '05
- 2005 - Kate Wenger, M.L.I.S. '04
- 2004 - Christina Bonner, M.L.I.S. '03 and Chris Rigby, M.L.I.S. '03
- 2003 - Stephen Paschen, M.L.I.S. '02
- 2002 - Rockelle Strader, M.L.I.S. '01 and Rachel Thomas, M.L.I.S. '01
- 2001 - Kathleen Sasala, M.L.S. '00
- 2000 - Lisa Gilgenbach, M.L.S. '99
Janice Smuda Children’s Librarianship Award
For library and information science graduates who, as students, demonstrated creativity, leadership, and dedication to children's librarianship through outstanding academic achievement
- 2021 - Christina Carpino, M.L.I.S., '20
- 2020 - Michelle Fox, M.L.I.S. '18
- 2019 - Luke Bentley, M.L.I.S. '18
- 2018 - Liz Bracher, M.L.I.S. '17
- 2017 - Kristen Michelle Zajac, M.L.I.S. '16
- 2016 - Desiree Thomas, M.L.I.S. '15
- 2015 - Linsey Milillo, M.L.I.S. '14
- 2014 - Jesse Henning, M.L.I.S. '13
- 2013 - Morgan Hidy, M.L.I.S. '12
- 2012 - Kathleen Rak, M.L.I.S. '11
- 2011 - Kimberly Castle, M.L.I.S. '10 and Jessica Harshbarger, M.L.I.S. '10
- 2010 - Nancy Messmore, M.L.I.S. '09
- 2009 - Terrance McQuown, M.L.I.S. '08
- 2008 - Elizabeth Queen, M.L.I.S. '07 and Joenna Wolfe, M.L.I.S. '07
- 2007 - Pamela Spangler, M.L.I.S. '06
Beta Phi Mu Student Achievement Award
For library and information science graduates who, as students, had the emblematic qualities of Beta Phi Mu: scholarship, leadership, and service
Not awarded after 2015
- 2015 - Winter Woolston
- 2014 - Jeff Mixter
- 2013 - Elizabeth Schlueter
- 2012 - Shelly Miller
- 2011 - Tony Nguyen
- 2010 - John Cook
- 2009 - Christiana Trecker
- 2008 - Jill Veerkamp
- 2007 - Katherine Artzner
- 2006 - Carolyn Baker
- 2005 - Jodie Lyons
- 2004 - Laurel Jernigan
- 2003 - Jennifer Wolfe-Thompson
- 2002 - Barbara Dunham
- 2001 - Anne Rasmussen
- 2000 - Robert Russell Jr.
- 1997 - Bonnie Herrage
- 1996 - Jane Dinda
- 1995 - Kazuko Sakaguchi
- 1994 - Linda Vietz
Crawford Award
Not awarded after 1998
- 1998 - Elizabeth Black and Lydia Leovic
- 1997 - Gary Gorka
- 1996 - Christina Sent
- 1995 - Mary Ann Clyme and Susan Cobbledick
- 1994 - Donna Abend and Linda Vietz
- 1993 - Kathy Kobyljanec and Katherine Wood
- 1992 - John Brunswick and Barbara White
- 1991 - Grace Franklin
- 1990 - Carol Jacobs
- 1989 - Karen Camp
- 1988 - Judith Hartzler
- 1987- Rebecca Black and Nancy Paine
Distinguished Alumnus
Not awarded after 1985
- 1985 - Dean H. Keller
- 1984 - Edward D. Garten
- 1983 - Lois Buttlar
- 1982 - Greg W. Byerly
- 1981 - Luciana Marulli-Koenig
- 1980 - Daniel Suvak
- 1979 - Mary Kay Biagini
- 1978 - Richard Cheski
- 1976 - Carol Barber
- 1975 - Doris Jyurovat
- 1974 - Ezekial Kaungamno
- 1972 - Glenn Estes
- 1971 - Judith Meyers
- 1969 - Arnulfo Trejo
- 1968 - Thelma Knerr
- 1967 - Elnora Portteus
Jesse H. Shera Memorial Award
For library and information science graduates who, as students, maintained an excellent academic record and demonstrated potential for future scholarly research and publication
Awarded as a student scholarship after 2011
- 2011 - Elizabeth Kuilman
- 2010 - Robin Smith and Brandon Walker
- 2009 - Jessica Page
- 2008 - Sharon Edwards
- 2007 - Ray Lyons
- 2006 - Joseph Florenski
- 2005 - Richard Wisneski
- 2004 - Joshua Neds-Fox
- 2003 - Hilary Prisbylla
- 2002 - Robert Bolander and Stasa Milojevic
- 2001 - Natalia Nekrasova
- 2000 - Chau Hoang
- 1999 - Ericka L. Yeager
- 1998 - Elaine Womack
- 1997 - Scott Carpenter
- 1996 - Nancy Buterbaugh
- 1995 - Gail Redmann
- 1994 - Monica McJunkin and Sharon Schmitt
- 1993 - Maja Zumer
- 1992 - Heidi Currier
- 1991 - Martha Kyrillidou
- 1990 - Kristine Smets
- 1989 - Gloria Guzi
- 1988 - Coleen Parmer
- 1987 - Barry Braunstein
Rose L. Vormelker Award
For library and information science graduates who, as students, ranked high academically and showed the most promise for special library work
Awarded as a student scholarship after 2011
- 2011 - Darlene Kerr and Jacquelyn McCloud
- 2010 - Jessica DeCaro and Shea Ann Herzog
- 2009 - Jacob Schaub
- 2008 - Kristine Taylor
- 2007 - Emily Glenn
- 2006 - Nathan Troup
- 2005 - Brenda Baldwin and Dawn Pottinger
- 2004 - Brian Gray and Brian Miller
- 2003 - Judith Carroll
- 2002 - Janet Petty
- 2001 - Michele Meyers
- 2000 - Victor Black and Laura McClellan
- 1999 - Ronald L. Stach
- 1998 - Wendy Hess
- 1997 - Lydia Leovic
- 1996 - Linda Deitch
- 1995 - Stephanie Harper
- 1994 - Gary Gorka
- 1993 - Mie Mie Sann
- 1992 - Mary Lou Veon
- 1991 - Cornelia Byrne and Krystal Slivka
- 1990 - Martha Nagy
- 1989 - Danguole Kviklys
- 1988 - Joan Gibson
- 1987 - Claire Leibfarth
Sidney L. Jackson Memorial Award
For library and information science graduates who, as students, wrote outstanding essays on the history of social responsibilities of libraries or intellectual freedom
Not awarded after 2010
- 2010 - Jon Longacre
- 2009 - Amanda Henning; Jeff Wilkerson
- 2008 - Timothy Dickey; Melissa Fischer
- 2007 - Allison Rotonda; Eric Taggart
- 2006 - Cecilia Robinson
- 2005 - Sarah Clevidence; Rachel Rubin
- 2004 - Maureen Frost
- 2003 - Melanie Seal
- 2002 - Caroline Sinkinson; Christopher Smith
- 2001 - Elizabeth Swartz
- 2000 - Douglas Low
- 1998 - Greg Frohnsdorff
- 1995 - Bonnie Bolton
- 1994 - Marjorie Bashaw
- 1993 - Karen Jensen
- 1992 - Deborah Dennison
- 1991 - Claudia Eikenberg
- 1990 - James Kuhn
- 1989 - Robert Kusmer
- 1988 - Elise Stone
- 1987 - Bernie Garrison