Robertson presented with Distinguished Alumni Award

Davenport “Dav” Robertson (MSLS '75) was presented with the Distinguished Alumni Award by the School of Information and Library Science at the school's commencement ceremony May 9. For commencement photos, click here.

Robertson has been chief of the library and information services branch at the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS) in Research Triangle Park since 1988. Before becoming chief, Robertson was head librarian at the NIEHS for eleven years. He was coordinator and supervisor of the internship program between SILS and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) library from 1975 to 1977.

“Dav Robertson has been a great contributor to the profession and to SILS over the years,” said SILS Dean Joanne Gard Marshall. “As director of the NIEHS library he has mentored our students, worked on research projects with faculty and actively supported the school in so many ways. We are proud to have him as a distinguished alumnus.”

The EPA/NIEHS internship program is the only contract of its kind existing between a school and the federal government. SILS staff members provide services at the EPA library, and SILS graduate students intern at the two libraries.

After graduating with honors in 1969 from UNC with a bachelor's degree in history, Robertson served in the Peace Corps teaching English in Korea. When he returned to North Carolina, Robertson earned a master's degree from SILS and began working at the EPA library.

Robertson has been an active member and leader of the Special Libraries Association since joining the organization in 1977. He serves on the SLA board of directors, chairs the chapter cabinet and serves on a number of committees at the association level. He has served as chair and director of the SLA 's Environment and Resource Management Division.

As a member of North Carolina SLA, Robertson has chaired various committees and held positions including president, secretary, public relations chair and government relations chair.

“Dav was selected as the 2004 Distinguished Alumnus for the immense positive impact he has had on so many others during his long and noteworthy career,” said Andy Ingham, president of the SILS Alumni Association. “His career exemplifies the qualities of dedication, enthusiasm, leadership effectiveness and personability.”

In addition to his service with professional organizations, Robertson is a partner of the Metadata Generation Research project, whose principal investigator is SILS professor Dr. Jane Greenberg. Project findings have been published in the Journal of Digital Information and in conjunction with international conferences in Italy and Japan.

Robertson has received the National Institutes of Health Award of Merit three times and the North Carolina SLA's Information Management Award (2001) and Meritorious Achievement Award (1992).

Robertson and his wife of 35 years, Eliza, live in Chatham County. She is the library director at the National Humanities Center in Research Triangle Park.