The School of Information Sciences recognized student award recipients at the iSchool Convocation on May 17. Awards are based on academic achievements, as well as attributes that contribute to professional success. For more information about each award, including past recipients, visit the Student Awards page. Congratulations to this year's honorees!
Berner-Nash Memorial Award
Presented to Liri Fang and Tzu-Kun (Esther) Hsiao
Liri Fang's dissertation, "Modeling of Graph and Text Data: Applications in Citation Networks, Taxonomy Expansion, Entity Resolution, and Claim Verification," represents a masterful synthesis of how contemporary AI models can leverage structure to address four classic information problems. Fang's work is clearly articulated, mathematically rigorous, and computationally sophisticated. The quality and impact of this dissertation are further reflected in the publications it has generated, including work appearing at the International Conference on Learning Representations and in the International Journal of Digital Curation and Data in Brief, which have helped bring these ideas to researchers across data curation, graph mining, and natural language processing.
Tzu-Kun Hsiao's dissertation, "Towards Semantic Citation: Mentions of Knowledge in Citation Contexts," represents a major advancement in the Science of Science by transforming the citation into a medium for understanding knowledge diffusion in science. Hsiao's development of the impactful OpCitance dataset significantly outperforms existing industry standards. Through sophisticated language modeling and semantic analysis, her research provides critical insights into scientific integrity and the diversity of knowledge diffusion. Published in top-tier journals like Scientific Data and Quantitative Science Studies, this work establishes a rigorous, data-driven framework for the future of large-scale bibliometrics.
Anne M. Boyd/Beta Phi Mu Award
Presented to Janelle Ketcher
Janelle Ketcher founded and directs Postal Service for the Dead, a volunteer-based grief and memory project where individuals write letters to loved ones who have died. Letters are archived, with selected letters available to view online. Ketcher hosts writing workshops across the country and, in her iSchool studies, explored how metadata and community cataloging could further the project’s goal to commemorate grief. Ketcher embodies the professional leadership and care for others that this award recognizes.
Downs Faculty Special Award of Merit
Presented to Anveksha Vinod Pandey, Ryan Pearlman, and Amanda Riggenbach
Anveksha Vinod Pandey consistently demonstrated exceptional professional promise through her leadership, initiative, and commitment to supporting the iSchool community. Alongside her role in welcoming prospective and incoming students, she interned as a data analyst at ADM and will present at the prestigious Grace Hopper Celebration.
Ryan Pearlman asks questions, especially those without easy answers. More than his exceptional academic records can demonstrate, he is passionate about applying what he’s learned through community engagement, such as in his role at the Daily Illini.
Amanda Riggenbach has undertaken ambitious research on topics from developing metadata schema for the complex holdings of a "working museum" to documenting the history of racial violence in US newspapers. She is a thorough and detailed researcher, a skilled communicator, and a rare scholar who never loses sight of the communities her work touches.
Edith Harris Camp Award
Presented to Jaidyn Smith
Jaidyn Smith is a remarkable thinker, advocate, and artist whose work explores where librarianship and creative praxis meet. Smith works to simultaneously understand materials like zines as informational objects and to communicate through zines as art and public scholarship. At the FabLab and Skeuomorph Press, Smith has supported and inspired students, faculty, patrons, and community members to blend their intellectual and artistic pursuits, a mission we know will flourish in the next stages of their career.
Entrepreneurial Promise Award
Presented to Yike (Lydia) Li
Lydia Li receives the Entrepreneurial Promise Award in recognition of her initiative, technical creativity, and entrepreneurial vision. Inspired by a desire to help her younger sister learn better, she became interested in education technology and went on to co-found Geni, an AI startup that builds personalized learning tools for K-8 students.
Herbert Goldhor Award for Public Librarianship
Presented to Glorian Roberts
Glo "Glorian" Roberts was an enthusiastic student who entered librarianship because she wanted to make a difference in the lives of youth. Through her work at The Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books and the Champaign Public Library, she strove to earn the respect of all youth through her commitment to radical empathy, care, and community engagement. Her service to vulnerable LGBTQIAP2S+ youth is particularly important.
Henderson Award for Service and Social Justice
Presented to Ruben Manriquez and Nicholas Martin
Ruben Manriquez best represents the ideal iSchool undergraduate. He has been a leader both inside and outside the classroom. His leadership is focused on equity for all students and has been expressed through his work with the cultural centers and as a student representative to the iSchool faculty. Those fortunate enough to work with Manriquez admire his constant ability to encourage fellow students to be motivated even in the most difficult of times.
Nicholas Martin models genuine passion for community engagement and has an infectious spirit for learning, a combination that culminates in a warm and welcoming presence for other students in the MSLIS program. Always willing to lend a hand, he supports peers, contributes positively to iSchool community building, and brings people together through his generous, inclusive demeanor. An information scientist to his core, Martin is creative, curious, and bright, sharing his ideas openly and engaging with others' stories in equal measure.
Lohrer-Meckstroth Award for K-12 Library Services
Presented to Ashley Meitzler
Ashley Meitzler consistently demonstrated a conscientious and hardworking approach to her coursework and field placements, approaching her work with students with care, integrity, and a clear commitment to excellence. Meitzler is highly reflective and thoughtful, seeking and applying feedback while continuously refining her practice to better serve diverse student needs. Most importantly, she focused on what is best for students, advocating for equitable access, fostering a love of reading and inquiry, and creating inclusive, engaging library environments.
Yingbo Zhou Memorial Award
Presented to Brianna Ritchison and Tianlinzi (Emma) Zou
Brianna Ritchison is an outstanding student who has made significant contributions to the iSchool. She consistently upholds high academic and professional standards, driven by her passion for museum work. She combines a strong work ethic with exceptional organizational skills and is a supportive and collaborative peer. As a student representative, Ritchison advocates thoughtfully while demonstrating strong leadership and dedication.
Emma Zou has consistently demonstrated a strong commitment to supporting others. Drawing from her own experience transitioning into a new academic and cultural environment, she actively helps incoming students feel more prepared and confident. Even before becoming an ambassador, she volunteered in student group chats to answer questions and share insights. She provides thoughtful guidance that helps students make informed decisions and feel a stronger sense of belonging within the iSchool community.