Professor Knuth wins 2004 Vann Professional Service Award
The ALA-SC Executive Board is pleased to announce that Associate Professor Rebecca Knuth will be awarded with the Dr. Sarah K. Vann Professional Service Award at the Hui Dui Graduation Dinner on May 8, 2004 at the Hale Koa Hotel - Waikiki. The award is named after UHM LIS Emeritus Professor Sarah Vann who is an international leader in intellectual freedom and comparative librarianship.
The following is an excerpt from the letter nominating Dr. Knuth for the Vann Professional Service Award.
Sarah K. Vann Professional Service Award Nomination
Dr. Rebecca Knuth came to the University of Hawaii in 1995, after having successfully completed a Doctorate of Philosophy in Library and Information Science at Indiana University. More than just her vast knowledge of library science and its ever-changing role in society, Dr. Knuth brought with her a fierce desire to teach, coupled with a strong determination to succeed in providing the best possible academic instruction for all library science students. It goes without saying that her presence at the University of Hawaii and her position as an Associate Professor with the Library and Information Science Program has had a tremendously positive effect on everyone fortunate enough to have taken a course with or been advised by her. She is an exceptional teacher yet more than that, she is a true friend to all.
One could not expect to discuss Dr. Knuth's abilities and expertise without touching upon a few of her many accomplishments. She has taken on and in fact excelled in many capacities, such as performing duties as Chair of the Communications and Information Sciences Interdisciplinary Doctoral Program. She has been a Visiting Fellow for the Institute for Advanced Studies in the Humanities, at the University of Edinburgh in Scotland, and received numerous awards, specifically the 2001 University of Hawaii, Presidential Citation for Meritorious Teaching Award.
Additionally, Dr. Knuth has contributed to the Library and Information Science community through various professional association affiliations, such as the Hawaii Library Association and the American Library Association, where she currently chairs the Library History Round Table, performing many valuable duties, such as selecting the 2005 Phyllis Dain Dissertation Award, in recognition of outstanding dissertations in the general area of library history.
Many other notable examples come to mind when reflecting upon Dr. Knuth's tenure at the University of Hawaii, as well. From her numerous brown-bag discussions, covering topics such as The Regime Sponsored Systematic Destruction Of Books, Services In Libraries, and Intellectual Freedom, to conference presentations on Libraries and Nationalism, and Libricide, Ethnocide, Genocide, Dr. Knuth tirelessly devotes herself and much of her free time to colleagues and students alike.
This is never evidenced more than with my introduction into the LIS program. Upon arriving in Hawaii to begin what I feared would be a daunting two years of study, I was amazed at the genuine interest and concern Dr. Knuth felt upon learning of my apprehensions. She was very approachable and went above and beyond the call of duty, as my advisor, to insure that I was settled into the program and taking courses beneficial to my interests. Her open door policy and welcoming demeanor dissuaded my doubts. Her passion for Library Science fueled my determination and has guided me through many semesters of coursework.
It is not uncommon to walk through the halls of the Library and Information Science Department and overhear praise for Dr. Knuth from other students, as well. Amazing, incredible, caring, and knowledgeable are just a few of the terms used to describe her personality and character.
Dr. Knuth is a tireless and devoted professional, both at the University of Hawaii and throughout the library science community. Her dedication and perseverance are second to none and she is without a doubt the most deserving nominee for the Sarah K. Vann Professional Service Award.