Sept. 9, 2002

Contact: Bill Myers, University Libraries, (785) 864-8921.

Former KU dean named first recipient of Budig librarian award

LAWRENCE -- A former dean of University of Kansas libraries has been named the first recipient of the Gretchen and Gene A. Budig Distinguished Librarian Award, Stella Bentley, dean of KU libraries, announced today.

William J. Crowe, Spencer librarian, is the inaugural recipient of the Budig Distinguished Librarian Award. Crowe came to KU as dean of libraries in 1990, was named vice chancellor for information services in 1996 and served in both capacities until 1999, when he was appointed Spencer librarian. He also is chair of the board of trustees of OCLC Online Computer Library Center Inc., a nonprofit collaborative serving 41,000 libraries in 82 countries and territories.

Former KU Chancellor Gene A. Budig and his wife, Gretchen, established the faculty award with a $50,000 gift to the Kansas University Endowment Association in 2001. The award will be presented annually to a library faculty member who demonstrates meritorious professional performance and service. It is the first endowed faculty award for the libraries and succeeds the Chancellor's Award for Distinguished Librarianship, which Gene Budig initiated in 1989 during his tenure as chancellor.

"Gene and Gretchen Budig are unstinting in their support for the KU Libraries," said Bentley. "Our capacity to serve the information needs of students and faculty depends directly on the excellence of our library faculty. We are grateful for the Budigs' leadership in acknowledging the importance of this role.

"Bill Crowe's contributions as a librarian, administrator and leader in the profession nationally have brought distinction to KU. His commitment to service and passion for librarianship commend him for this inaugural award."

An event to celebrate the establishment of the award will take place at 4 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 11, in the north gallery of the Spencer Research Library at KU. The program will include remarks by Budig and the presentation of the award to Crowe. A reception will follow.

"Gretchen and I believe that strong libraries are a defining characteristic of great universities," Budig said. "Librarians themselves are critical to the search for and interpretation of information. They enable the scholarly pursuit of the university community, whether one is an undergraduate or a full professor. KU has a rich tradition of distinguished librarians, and this award represents our desire to see that tradition continue."

Budig was named KU's 14th chancellor in 1981. During his 13-year tenure, more than 180 faculty positions were established. He was an active fund-raiser during Campaign Kansas, the 1987-92 campaign that raised $265 million from private donors. He left the university to become the president of baseball's American League and is now senior adviser to Major League Baseball. He and Gretchen live in Princeton, N.J.