Faculty and students honored at commencement

Awards for faculty and student excellence were announced at the SILS commencement ceremony May 9.

Dr. Deborah Barreau, an assistant professor at SILS, received the 2004 Outstanding Teaching Award. Barreau, who holds three degrees from Carolina, has been at SILS since 2002 and teaches information science classes including “Information Use for Organizational Effectiveness,” “Information Systems Analysis and Design” and “Human Information Interactions.” As a master's student, Barreau was president of the Information and Library Science Students Association and received a Dean's Achievement Award.

“She is a faculty member who encourages critical thinking and challenges students to stretch their minds,” said Dr. Barbara Moran, the 2003 recipient of the award. “She is skilled at creating a supportive learning environment, one with mutual respect, trust and easy interaction but also with clear focus and attention.”

Donald M. Chalfant and Miriam Intrator received the Dean's Achievement Awards for Best Master's Papers in 2003.

Chalfant's paper, “Born Digital? Appraisal Traditional!: A Pilot Study on Intrinsic Value and Electronic Records of State Government,” investigates the relevance of intrinsic value to electronic records.

"The paper is an excellent piece of research and scholarship that provides state archivists with much to ponder as they appraise electronic records," said Dr. Helen Tibbo, Chalfant's advisor.

Intrator's paper, “Avenues of Intellectual Resistance in the Ghetto Theresienstatdt: Escape through the Ghetto Central Library, Reading, Storytelling and Lecturing,” explores the concept of intellectual resistance as a result of participation in some of the concentration camp's intellectual activities.

“Miriam Intrator studied how people under great duress, living challenged lives, can rely on reading and the imagination to remind themselves of their humanity,” said Dr. David Carr, who served as Intrator's advisor. “People find solace and survival in reading, even under the most devastating circumstances.”

SILS master's papers are available in full text at http://ils.unc.edu/mpi .

This year's commencement marked the first time a bachelor's degree recipient has completed a senior honors thesis. Tadra Martin earned honors for her thesis, “Are They Coming for You? The RIAA's Lawsuits Against Online Music File Sharers.”

Tadra's research explored whether or not rap and rhythm and blues music sharers are being singled out for Digital Millennium Copyright Act enforcement by the Recording Industry of America (RIAA). She reviewed letters sent to internet service providers by the RIAA, record sales and information about what music is being shared online.

Two graduates, Amanda Wilson (MSLS) and Jennifer Bullock (BSIS), received Outstanding Service to the School Awards. Wilson was recognized for her service as president of the school's Information and Library Science Student Association, on the dean search committee and as a Carolina Academic Library Associate.

Bullock was recognized for her service in developing Information Science Student Undergraduates Empowered and her help communicating the needs of students as a member of the school's undergraduate committee. Bullock graduated from SILS with highest distinction.

Donald Chalfant, recipient of a Dean's Achievement Award, and his advisor, Dr. Helen Tibbo.

Miriam Intrator, recipient of a Dean's Achievement Award, and her advisor, Dr. David Carr.

Jennifer Bollock receives an Outsanding Service to the School Award from Mary Horton, vice president of the SILS Alumni Association.

MSLS graduate Amanda Wilson leads the class of '04 in switching their tassels. Wilson also received an Outstanding Service to the School Award.