Syracuse Sun

Syracuse University Libraries held an awards celebration on April 17 to honor its student employees. The institution typically employs around 150 undergraduate and graduate students annually, who contribute significantly to the safety of library spaces, the quality and repair of collections, and service support to patrons and student entrepreneurs. Student employees are nominated by their supervisors for demonstrating dedicated service over time and making significant contributions that have had a lasting impact on the Libraries.

These students are recognized through the generous support of Board of Trustees Chair Emeritus Kathleen ’73, H’23 and Stanley Walters, the family of Patricia Kutner Strait, and numerous donors to the Libraries Dean’s Fund.

Among those pictured at the event were Caleb Brown G’24 (School of Information Studies), Kayleigh Ford G’24 (College of Arts and Sciences), Michelle Mitchell (learning and academic librarian), and Bridget Sheridan (learning and academic engagement supervisor).

David Seaman, dean of Libraries and University Librarian, stated: “We highly value our library students whose enthusiasm and expertise enrich us daily. I recognize the critical role our student employees play.” He went on to express gratitude towards Stanley and Kathy Walters, the family of Patricia Kutner Strait for establishing endowments enabling these awards, as well as contributors to the Dean’s Fund.

The 2024 student award recipients spanned various departments within the Libraries. Among them were Nia Bellamy ’24 (College of Arts and Sciences) for Access and Resource Sharing; Renee Kurie ’25 (S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications) for Blackstone LaunchPad; Alejandro Parra G’24 (David B. Falk College of Sport and Human Dynamics) for Security and Facilities; Olivia Russo G’24 (School of Information Studies) for Information Literacy; Sasha Solomon G’24 (School of Information Studies) for Special Collections Research Center; Aidan Turner ’24 (School of Architecture) for Blackstone LaunchPad; and many others.

The event also saw students receive Patricia Kutner Strait Student Scholarship Awards, Dean’s Commendations Awards, and Honorable Recognitions for their outstanding contributions to the Libraries.