Paul Jones, director of ibiblio and clinical associate professor at the School of Information and Library Science (SILS) and the School of Journalism and Mass Communications, has received a 2011 IBM Faculty Award for $15,000.
The IBM Faculty Awards is a highly competitive international program that, according to the program Web site, intends to “foster collaboration between researchers at leading universities worldwide and those in IBM research, development, and services organizations; and promote courseware and curriculum innovation to stimulate growth in disciplines and geographies that are strategic to IBM.”
Jones received the award based on the quality of his program and the importance of it to the information industry.
In order to receive the award, participants must be nominated by an IBM employee, must be a full-time faculty member at an accredited university and must demonstrate excellence in his or her field. The last UNC staff member to receive the award before Jones was SILS Dean, Dr. Gary Marchionini, who received the Faculty Award in 2006. This is the second year in a row that Jones has received an IBM Faculty Award.
“I’m honored to receive this award and to see SILS and the University of North Carolina receive support and recognition from the industry,” Jones said. “Keeping a good relationship with IBM helps provide faculty members chances to collaborate, gives graduate students opportunities for research and internships and gives graduates from our programs job prospects.
“This money will help us set the future directions for ibiblio services and to explore new partnerships.”
