SLIS Awards 22 Student Scholarships

$32,000 Given to MLIS and MS Students

The School of Library and Information Science (SLIS) at Kent State University awarded a total of $32,000 in scholarships to 22 students in its Master of Library and Information Science (M.L.I.S.) and Master of Science in Information Architecture and Knowledge Management (IAKM) degree programs in 2015-16.

Scholarship recipients were recognized at the School’s annual Celebration of Alumni and Student Success events in March and April.

Kristen ZajacKristen M. Zajac of Richmond Hts., Ohio, received the $1,000 Alumni and Friends Council Endowed Minority Scholarship, which is awarded to students based on capacity to achieve academic and professional goals and potential for leadership on campus or in the community. Zajac holds an undergraduate degree in communication in theater from Bowling Green State University as well as teaching English as a foreign language certificate from the University of Miami. She received the Master of Library and Information Science at Kent State in May 2016, with a specialization in children’s librarianship. She currently works as the children’s associate at the Euclid Public Library and hopes to combine her interests in theater, education, and librarianship with this career.

Four students received H.W. Wilson Scholarships of $1,500 each. The scholarship is awarded on the basis of prior academic performance and accomplishments. The 2016 recipients are Taylor Humphreys, John Lortie, Bill McIntire and Jennifer L. Rice.

Taylor Humphreys of Bluffton, Ohio, holds an undergraduate degree in English with a minor in writing from Bluffton University and is currently pursuing her Master of Library and Information Science at Kent State University. She is the evening advanced library assistant at Ohio Northern University’s Heterick Memorial Library and aspires to be an academic librarian in the future.

John Lortie of Cincinnati, Ohio, received his undergraduate degree in audio production as well as a graduate degree in public media from Ohio University. He is pursuing his Master of Library and Information Science at Kent State, with a specialization in teen public librarianship, while working for the Public Library of Cincinnati and Hamilton County's Pleasant Ridge Branch Library as the senior library services assistant.

Bill McIntire of New Carlisle, Ohio, received an undergraduate degree in history as well as a master’s in history and in international and comparative politics from Wright State University. He is currently pursuing his Master of Library and Information Science at Kent State. McIntire is the archivist at the Dayton Metro Library and wants to combine his love of history and digitization by working as a local history librarian with a specialty in digitizing the collection.

Jennifer L. Rice of Hartville, Ohio, has an undergraduate degree in history from Kent State University and is pursuing her Master of Library and Information Science with a specialization in academic librarianship. She currently works as the senior library associate in the Kent State University Libraries Serials and Electronic Resources Department. Rice aspires to continue her career in academic libraries with a focus on digital resources and streaming media.

Penelope Valentik (right) of Rocky River, Ohio, was awarded the $2,500 Health Informatics Leadership Scholarship, award to a student who demonstrates outstanding health informatics leadership potential. Valentik holds an undergraduate degree in political science from Kent State University, Master of Education in community health from Cleveland State University and Master of Science in clinical research from Walden University. Valentik is currently pursuing a Master of Science with a concentration in Health Informatics at Kent State, while working as a respiratory therapist and EMR consultant in the Cleveland area. Her career goal is to combine her knowledge and experience in clinical research and health informatics to improve the process of clinical trial administration.

Kimberly Michalak of Forest Lake, Ind., received the $1,000 J. Allen Oakum Memorial Scholarship, awarded on the basis of prior academic performance and accomplishments, financial need and demonstrated leadership. Michalak holds an undergraduate degree in English composition from DePauw University and a graduate degree in education from Graceland University. Currently Michalak works as a librarian at Community of Peace Academy while pursuing a Master of Library and Information Science at Kent State.

Sarah Gnoddie of Bedford, Ohio, has been awarded the $1,000 James E. Cook Scholarship in Young Adult Librarianship, which is awarded to students with a minimum undergraduate GPA of a 3.0 who demonstrate a strong desire to specialize in teen librarianship, a strong interest in young adult literature and a passion for telling others about what he or she has read. Gnoddie received an undergraduate degree in early childhood education with honors and a sport management concentration in recreation from the University of Mount Union. She currently works as the youth program supervisor for Orange Community Education and Recreation while pursuing her Master of Library and Information Science at Kent State, with a specialization in teen library services.

Tara Ann Shiman of Pickerington, Ohio, also received a $1,000 James E. Cook Scholarship in Young Adult Librarianship. Shiman holds an undergraduate degree in communication from Ohio University as well as an Associate of Arts degree with an emphasis on social science. She currently works as a customer service specialist at Columbus Metropolitan Library and is pursuing her Master of Library and Information Science at Kent State, with the goal of becoming a teen librarian.

Michael NiederhausenMichael Niederhausen (left) of Strongsville, Ohio, was awarded the $1,000 Jesse H. Shera Memorial Scholarship, given to a student who has maintained an excellent academic record and demonstrates potential for future scholarly research and publication. Niederhausen holds an undergraduate degree in English from the College of Mount St. Joseph and a Master of Arts from Xavier University. He is currently pursuing his Master of Library and Information Science at Kent State, with a specialization in library management, while working as a technology trainer at the Cuyahoga County Public Library. Niederhausen hopes to become a branch manager in the future.

Brittany R. Dunfee of Sarasota, Fla., has been awarded the $1,000 J.W. Coffman and Priscilla Drach Children’s Librarianship Scholarship, given to the student who best demonstrates creativity, leadership and dedication to children’s librarianship through outstanding academic achievement. Dunfee received an undergraduate degree in general studies with a concentration in psychology, sociology, human development and family studies from Kent State University. In May 2016 she received a Master of Education in instructional technology and Master of Library and Information Science with a concentration in school library media from Kent State. Dunfee is a member of the National Society of Leadership and Success as well as a member of the Golden Key International Honors Society. Currently she tutors English, writing, literature and technology. Dunfee aspires to become a social media specialist or a teen librarian as well as to obtain her Ph.D. and conduct research in the field of librarianship.

Grace Butkowski of St. Paul, Minn., has received the $2,500 Marian Porter Huffman Scholarship, awarded to a student who has maintained an excellent academic record and demonstrates potential for future scholarly research and publication. Butkowski received an undergraduate degree in history from the College of Saint Benedict and is currently pursuing her Master of Library and Information Science at Kent State, with a focus on museum studies. She is the executive office and administrative specialist at the University of Minnesota Libraries and aspires to become a manager or registrar.

Robin Clancy of Brecksville, Ohio, received two scholarships: the $1,000 Mary T. Kim Endowed Scholarship, awarded to a student who is studying to become a library manager and/or researcher in library and information science; and a $1,000 Vanita Scholars in Youth Librarianship Scholarship, awarded to students who best demonstrate a program of study in children’s, young adult or school librarianship, good academic standing and an interest in working with children and/or young adults who face cultural, personal and/or environmental challenges in today’s society. Clancy holds an undergraduate degree in history from the University of Toledo and is pursuing her Master of Library and Information Science at Kent State. Her career goal is to continue serving children and young adults by providing access to information in a library setting. She currently works at NatureBridge.

Kirsten SetzkornKirsten Setzkorn (left) of Cedarville, Ohio, was awarded the $2,000 Petta and Ron Khouw Scholarship, for the student who best demonstrates an interest in reference librarianship or academic reference services. Setzkorn received her undergraduate degree in history from Cedarville University and is currently pursuing her Master of Library and Information Science at Kent State, with a specialization in academic librarianship. She has presented at the Academic Libraries of Ohio (ALAO) conference and is a member of Cedarville University Library’s marketing committee.

Rachel Dilley of Marysville, Ohio, received the $1,000 Rose Vormelker Scholarship, awarded to a student who, in the judgment of the faculty, shows the most promise in the field of special librarianship. Dilley holds an undergraduate degree in English from Bowling Green State University as well as a paralegal certificate from Capital University Law School. She is a member of the Society of Ohio Archivists and the Central Ohio Association for Information Science and Technology. Dilley currently works in circulation at Franklin County Law Library in Columbus while pursuing her Master of Library and Information Science at Kent State University. She is interested in a variety of specializations within the library and information science field, including law librarianship, archives and digital circulation.

Wendy Marie Zarara Bromfield of North Olmstead, Ohio, also received a $1,000 Rose Vormelker Scholarship. Bromfield holds an undergraduate degree in history from Hiram College as well as a master’s in history from Utah State University. She is currently pursuing her Master of Library and Information Science at Kent State, with an interest in academic librarianship. Bromfield is a volunteer intern at Malabar Farm State Park and an AmeriCorps member at the Local History Corps. Her career goal is to combine her experience and education in the area of special libraries or academic libraries.

Four students received a Vanita Scholars in Youth Librarianship Scholarship of $1,000 each. The scholarship is awarded to those who best demonstrate a program of study in children’s, young adult or school librarianship, good academic standing and an interest in working with children and/or young adults who face cultural, personal and/or environmental challenges in today’s society. This year's Vanita Scholars are: Robin Clancy (see above); Psyche Zoamary Castro, Ashley Paris-Hansen and Katy Wagner.

Psyche Zoamary Castro of Kent, Ohio, has an undergraduate degree in women and gender studies from Ohio University. She graduated with her Master of Library and Information Science at Kent State in May 2016, with a specialization in children and youth librarianship. While a student, she worked as a graduate assistant in the School of Library and Information Science.

Ashley Paris-HansenAshley Paris-Hansen (right) of Fairbanks, Alaska, holds an undergraduate degree in history from the University of Alaska-Fairbanks and is currently pursuing her Master of Library and Information Science at Kent State. She is an independent consultant for Usborne Books & More and aspires to be a children’s librarian in a public library or international school.

Katy Wagner of Livonia, Mich., earned an undergraduate degree in elementary education from the University of Michigan and is an elementary teacher. She is currently pursuing her Master of Library and Information Science with a specialization in children’s librarianship and museum studies and hopes to work as a children’s librarian in a public library.

Kent State SLIS also awarded scholarships to Sarah Lewis, the $1,000 A. Robert Rogers Memorial Scholarship, awarded on the basis of prior academic performance and potential for scholarly research; and Patrick Culliton, the $1,000 Mary T. Kim Scholarship, awarded to students studying to become a library manager and/or researcher in library and information science. Announcement of the $1,500 Rowfant Club Annual Scholarship recipient is pending.

POSTED: Wednesday, May 24, 2017 03:13 PM
Updated: Wednesday, November 1, 2017 01:54 PM