Allen and Elaine Avner Endowed Professorship in Interdisciplinary Research Fund
Current Appointee: Heidi Imker, Head of Research Data Services
The professorship was established with a gift from longtime Library Friend Allen Avner in November 2017. Cole will carry out research in fields connected to the application of information technologies in interdisciplinary or multidisciplinary fields of research.
Berthold Family Professorship Emeritus in Information Access and Discovery
Current Appointee: Myung-Ja Han, Head of Acquisitions and Cataloging Services
Alumna and Library Friend Carol A. Berthold created the Berthold Family Endowment Fund in 2008, in memory of her parents and her brother. In 2015, she designated this fund to support a permanent faculty position in Information Access and Discovery. Carol earned her bachelor’s degree at Illinois from the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences and holds master’s and doctoral degrees from Northwestern University.
Ralph Fisher Library Scholar in Slavic, East European and Euration Collections and Services
Current Appointees: Joe Lenkart, International Reference Librarian; Kit Condill, Russian, East European & Eurasian Studies Librarian
Professor Larry Miller collaborated with Ralph Talcott Fisher, Jr. and others to build an outstanding research library in the Russian and East European field which attracts scholars from around the world. The establishment of the Ralph Fisher University Scholars program is how Miller paid tribute to Fisher, his respected colleague, while creating his own legacy.
Stewart S. Howe Archivist of Student Life and Culture as an Endowed Professor
Current Appointee: Ellen Swain, Archivist for Student Life and Culture
Illinois alumnus Stewart S. Howe provided the impetus for the development of the Student Life and Culture Archival Program at the University of Illinois Archives. Howe was founder of the Stewart S. Howe Alumni Service, which provided management, public relations, and fund-raising assistance to fraternities, sororities, and institutions of higher education. He had a life-long interest in higher education and was a dedicated collector of material dealing with fraternal organizations and other areas of college life.
Andrew W. Mellon Endowed Senior Conservator
Current Appointee: Vacant
C. Walter Mortenson and Gerda B. Mortenson Distinguished Professorship for International Library Programs
Current Appointee: Clara Chu, Director, Mortenson Center for International Library Programs
C. Walter and Gerda B. Mortenson envisioned a program for the promotion of international education, understanding, and peace through library programs. Their gift created the Mortenson Distinguished Professorship for International Library Programs at Illinois.
Juanita J. and Robert E. Simpson Rare Book and Manuscript Library Professorship
Current Appointee: Lynne Thomas, Head, Rare Book and Manuscript Library
Bob and Juanita Simpson supported the University Library for more than 20 years and shared Library Dean Paula Kaufman’s passion and vision for the University Library. Their gifts for this deanship, as well as for the Juanita J. and Robert E. Simpson Rare Book & Manuscript Library Chair, have provided invaluable funding for Library programs and projects.
Juanita J. and Robert E. Simpson University Library Deanship
Current Appointee: Claire Stewart, University Librarian and Dean of Libraries
Bob and Juanita Simpson supported the University Library for more than 20 years and shared Library Dean Paula Kaufman’s passion and vision for the University Library. Their gifts for this deanship, as well as for the Juanita J. and Robert E. Simpson Rare Book & Manuscript Library Chair, have provided invaluable funding for Library programs and projects.
Andrew S. G. Turyn Professor
Current Appointee: Marek Sroka, Central European Studies Librarian
The Andrew S. G. Turyn Endowed Professorship was established through a significant gift from the estate of former librarian, alumnus, and longtime Library Friend Andrew Turyn. Offered on a five-year rotating basis, it is open to full professors of library administration who are pursuing innovative research in any scholarly area, including library and information science, the humanities, the sciences, the social sciences, the arts, and other fields.
John ‘Bud’ Velde Endowed Professorship
Current Appointee: Jennifer Teper, Head, Preservation and Conservation
A longtime Library Friend, Mr. Velde was involved in the support and direction of libraries at local and national levels for many years. In addition his monetary gifts, Mr. Velde and his wife Gretchen Swanson Velde donated the University Library’s 7- and 8-millionth volumes, as well as a one-of-a-kind set of works by Charles Dickens.