School of Information Sciences

Debra Wilcox Johnson, former GSLIS faculty member, passes away

Debra Wilcox Johnson passed away on October 30 at Agrace Hospice in Fitchburg, Wisconsin, where she was surrounded by her family.

Johnson served as assistant professor and associate director of the GSLIS Library Research Center (now CIRSS) from 1987 to 1989. From 1999 to 2010, she was an adjunct professor for the LEEP online master’s program, teaching courses such as Administration & Management of Libraries and Information Centers, Evaluating Programs and Services, and Human Resource Management in Libraries and Information Centers. She was a highly respected and valued faculty member who positively influenced the lives and careers of GSLIS students.

“Deb Johnson delighted in sharing her considerable expertise with her students,” said Linda Smith, GSLIS associate dean for academic programs and professor. “I looked forward to seeing her in person every semester when she came to GSLIS for LEEP on-campus sessions. She always provided interesting updates about her current projects.”

A visitation (10:00 a.m.-noon) and funeral service (noon) will be held at the Winn-Cress Funeral Home, 5785 Highway Q, Waunakee, Wisconsin, on Saturday, November 3. Immediately afterward, a lunch will be held at the Innkeeper Restaurant, 301 North Century Avenue, in Waunakee. Burial will follow in the Blooming Grove Cemetery, located directly to the east of LaFollette High School on Pflaum Road in Madison. More details about Johnson's life and career can be found at http://www.cressfuneralservice.com/obituary/95912/Debra-Wilcox-Johnson/ and on the News-Gazette website.

Tags:
Updated on
Backto the news archive

Related News

Cloonan to deliver iSchool Convocation

Michèle Cloonan (MS '84, PhD '88), dean and professor emerita in the School of Library and Information Science at Simmons University, will deliver the 2026 iSchool Convocation address on Sunday, May 17, at 1:30 p.m. at the Activities and Recreation Center. For those who would like to watch the ceremony online, live video will be available as well as archived for future viewing.

Michèle Cloonan 2026

Faculty and staff recognized with inaugural iSchool awards

The iSchool recognized faculty and staff for their contributions to teaching and outstanding service to the School at a ceremony on May 6. Interim Dean Emily Knox presented plaques to the inaugural recipients of the Faculty Teaching Award, Adjunct Teaching Award, and Staff Excellence Award.

iSchool to shape development of cultural heritage documentation standards

The School of Information Sciences at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign has formally joined the special interest group (SIG) that leads the development of the CIDOC Conceptual Reference Model (CRM), an ISO standard (21127:2023) for the exchange and integration of wide-ranging scientific and scholarly documentation about the past. 

Nicola Carboni

Bailey joins the communications and marketing team

J.B. Bailey joined the iSchool on April 13 as coordinator of events. In this new role, he will be responsible for the development, management, and implementation of iSchool events with a cohesive brand identity. He will also provide support to the communications and marketing team.

JB Bailey

Meet the iSchool undergraduate advising team

The iSchool welcomed five staff members to its undergraduate advising team this academic year. Academic Advisors and Coordinators Cory Castaneda, Dara (DL) Lawyer, and Keri Marion joined the School in August, and Katie Murphy joined in February. Stacy Clemmons was promoted to senior advisor and coordinator and transitioned from graduate to undergraduate student advising. 

School of Information Sciences

501 E. Daniel St.

MC-493

Champaign, IL

61820-6211

Voice: (217) 333-3280

Email: ischool@illinois.edu

Back to top