The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Information and Library Science (SILS) hosted its fall commencement on Sunday, December 13, in the Pleasant's Family Assembly Room of the Louis Round Wilson Library.
In addition to the recognition of graduates, the event featured the presentation of the Distinguished Alumni Award to Dr. Mae Lipscomb Rodney (Ph.D. ‘86), who delivered the commencement address “Life After SILS.” Rodney is the former Director of Library Services at Winston-Salem State University. Her career and accomplishments were highlighted in the most recent edition of the SILS newsletter.
The ceremony began with a welcome from Olivia Danielle Dorsey (BSIS ’14, MSIS ’15), followed by opening remarks from SILS Dean Gary Marchionini. After Rodney’s commencement address, SILS Alumni Association (SILSAA) President Joe Williams greeted the School’s newest alumni and conferred the Distinguished Alumni Award to Rodney. Williams said the SILSAA board had been unanimous in its decision to select Rodney for the honor.
“We wanted to recognize her many years strengthening and expanding the C. G. O’Kelly Library services and collections at Winston-Salem State University,” Williams said. “We also wanted to acknowledge the great impact she has had on our profession through her active leadership and years of mentoring and developing new librarians. Dr. Rodney continues to help shape and guide our School and profession today in her role on the SILS Board of Visitors, and through her SILS commencement address. It was an honor to present her with this award.”
The commencement ceremony culminated with the recognition of five Bachelor of Science in Information Science (BSIS) students, seven Master of Science in Information Science (MSIS) students, seven Master of Science in Library Science (MSLS) students, and one Doctor of Philosophy in Information and Library Science (PhD) student.
Click here to download a pdf of the program, and visit the SILS Flickr page for more photos of the event.
Top photo: SILS graduates on the steps of Wilson Library. Second photo: Dr. Mae Lipscomb Rodney (Ph.D. ‘86) delivers the commencement address “Life After SILS.”
