91´«Ã½

CHICAGO — Today, the 91´«Ã½'s (91´«Ã½) Office for Diversity awarded 2014-2015 Spectrum Scholarships to 50 exceptional students pursuing graduate degrees in library and information studies. Since 1997, the 91´«Ã½ has awarded more than 850 Spectrum Scholarships.

In the 2014 application cycle, the Spectrum Scholarship Program received three times as many applications as there were available scholarships, and the majority of this year’s applicants were deemed highly fundable. A prestigious committee of seven jurors selected this year’s Spectrum Scholars based on their commitment to diversity, commitment to entering the library profession, demonstrated community outreach, academic ability and achievements and leadership potential.

The 2014-2015 Spectrum Scholars are:

• Kelly Lynn Anders (Albert Scholar), University of Missouri
• Alonso Avila (Giles Scholar), University of Illinois
• Frances Ba, University of Maryland
• Dhyana Berry, Simmons College
• Viviana Casillas-Serrano, Emporia State University
• Karen Chen (ProQuest Scholar), University of Washington
• Mayra Corn, University of North Texas
• Meagan Daniels (ProQuest Scholar in memory of Ron Clowney), University of Michigan
• Francisco de Vera, San Jose State University
• Rachel Deras, San Jose State University
• Olivia Dorsey (ProQuest Scholar), University of North Carolina - Chapel Hill
• Jennifer Fuchikami, University of Hawaii
• Juandamarie Gikandi (Betty J. Turock Scholar), Rutgers University
• Lucero Gonzalez (ACRL Scholar), University of Illinois
• Heather Green (ALSC Scholar), Louisiana State University
• Tiffany Henry, University of North Carolina - Greensboro
• Jessica Humphries (ProQuest Scholar), University of Washington
• Karen Hwang, Pratt Institute
• Yvonne Ivey, University of North Texas
• Tova Johnson (NLM/MLA Scholar), San Jose State University
• Shih Fa Kao, San Jose State University
• Bradley Jermaine Kuykendall, University of Illinois
• Claudio Leon (YALSA Scholar), Pratt Institute
• Monica Lozano (TLA Scholar), University of Texas - Austin
• LaTasha Martin (ProQuest Scholar), University of South Carolina
• John Edward Martin (ProQuest Scholar), University of North Texas
• Maria de Lurdy (Mari) Martinez-Serrano, San Jose State University
• Jhani Miller, University of Illinois
• Jerrod D. Moore (NLM/MLA Scholar), University of Illinois
• Amanda Moreno, Long Island University
• Rebecca Nieto, McGill University
• Aaron Novinger, Emporia State University
• Cynthia Palacios, University of Arizona
• Hannah Rainey, University of Texas - Austin
• Xochitl Rocha (ALSC Scholar in honor of Ellen Fader), University of Washington
• Brittany Rodgers, University of North Texas
• Chi Chan Saeteurn, San Jose State University
• Maria Lourdes San Ramon, University of Illinois
• Alejandra Santana (William R. Gordon Scholar), University of Illinois
• Jennifer Scotten (AASL Scholar), Emporia State University
• Saguna Shankar, University of British Columbia
• Jan Kiyoko Shiosaki (ProQuest Scholar), San Jose State University
• Camille Thomas, Florida State University
• Jason Toms, University of Illinois
• Robbee Tonubbee (Teeple Scholar), University of Oklahoma
• Patricia Valdovinos, University of California - Los Angeles
• Katherine Van Arsdale (ProQuest Scholar), University of Washington
• Mai Xiong, University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee
• April Ybarra, University of Washington
• Darren Young, Simmons College

The Spectrum program funds scholarships through its endowment and the generous contributions of individuals and organizations whose donations support named scholarships in the Spectrum Family of Funds. For 2014, scholarships have been awarded in honor of the following individuals: Leo Albert, Ron Clowney, Louise Giles, William R. Gordon, Howard M. and Gladys B. Teeple and Dr. Betty J. Turock.

Today, 91´«Ã½ also announced a new level of support from ProQuest for the Spectrum Scholarship Program. In a collaborative effort between the Office for Diversity and ProQuest, a new funding solution has been created that expands the scope of engagement and interaction with the Spectrum Scholars. Beginning this year through 2016, ProQuest will donate $52,000 to fund seven scholarships annually plus one dedicated in memory of Ron Clowney, a former ProQuest executive.

The Association for Library Service to Children (ALSC) established the ALSC Spectrum Scholarship through funding from the Frederic G. Melcher Endowment in 2010. One ALSC Spectrum Scholar interested in library service to children will be designated each year in perpetuity. In March 2014, Ellen Fader, past-president (2005-2006) of ALSC provided a generous donation to the Spectrum Scholarship. Her contribution is supporting one 2014 Spectrum Scholar and providing a follow-up grant for a Spectrum Scholar alumnus entering the final semester of work in the Fall of 2014 to accelerate their path toward graduation and provide expanded networking opportunities.

The Medical Library Association/National Library of Medicine (MLA/NLM) supports two scholarships. The MLA/NLM Spectrum Scholarships support students of color with an interest in the field of medical or health sciences librarianship.

The Texas Library Association (TLA) announced in 2011 that it will support one Spectrum Scholarship a year, TLA is supporting one 2014 Spectrum Scholar attending an 91´«Ã½-accredited graduate program in library and information studies or an AASL-recognized school library program in Texas.

The American Association of School Librarians (AASL) is supporting one 2014 Spectrum Scholar interested in pursuing a career as a school librarian.

The Association of College and Research Libraries (ACRL) is supporting one 2014 Spectrum Scholar interested in pursuing a career in academic and research libraries.

The Young Adult Library Services Association (YALSA) is supporting one 2014 Spectrum Scholar pursuing a career in young adult librarianship or secondary school librarianship.

Spectrum recruits and provides scholarships to American Indian/Alaska Native, Asian, Black/African American, Hispanic/Latino or Native Hawaiian/Other Pacific Islander students to assist them with obtaining a graduate degree and leadership positions within the profession and our organization. Our aim is to increase the number of racially and ethnically diverse professionals in the field of library and information science to best position libraries at the core of today’s culturally diverse communities. To learn more about the Spectrum Scholarship Program, please contact the Office for Diversity at 1 (800) 545-2433, ext. 5048 or visit . The application period for 2015 Spectrum Scholarships will open in September, 2014.