The University of Texas at Austin Libraries (UTL) recognized the hard work and dedication of staff and student workers at its annual staff excellence celebration in May. Employees enjoyed breakfast tacos, a coffee bar and UTL swag, and Senior Vice Provost and UT Libraries Director Robert McDonald gave opening remarks before several awards were presented.
“This year’s staff appreciation event hit home to me what incredible work our team does,” said McDonald. “Listening to our award winners’ accomplishments made me proud to be part of UT Libraries and our extended Longhorn community and also underscored what a supportive and collaborative culture we have built here on the Forty Acres.”
2026 UT Libraries Award Winners
President’s Outstanding Staff Award: This award recognizes non-teaching UT Austin employees who have made outstanding contributions to the continuing success of the University.
- Katie Pierce Meyer, Head of Architectural Collections
Nilsson Scholarship: This scholarship annually recognizes the dedication and hard work of UT Libraries undergraduate student employees.
- MJ Green, Digitization Assistant
- Logan Roberts, Historical Music Recording Processing Project Assistant
- David Paul Salinas, Digital Repository Assistant
Nilsson Fellowship: This fellowship annually recognizes the dedication and hard work of UT Libraries graduate student employees.
- Sydney Shoemaker, Information Literacy GRA
- Audrey Waite, Open Education Resources GRA
Thelma Lynn Guion Staff Award: This award is given annually to people who have provided excellent service or assistance to the geology library.
- James Galloway, Branch Supervisor
- Dave Gilson, Head of Borrower and Access Services
- Tony Tomasello, Library Specialist
- Britt Wilson, Head of Storage and Logistics
Harold W. Billings Staff Honors Award: This award annually recognizes the resourcefulness, dedication and outstanding work performance of UT Libraries staff members.
- Jacob Beck-Fowler, PCL Guard Manager
- Alex Marden, GIS and Geospatial Data Coordinator
- Benjamin Rodriguez, Manager of the Library Storage Facility
- Audrey Waite, Open Education Resources GRA
Library Excellence Award: This award annually recognizes three staff members who have made extraordinary contributions to UT Libraries.
- Fred Gilmore, DevOps Lead and Senior IT Manager
- Albert Palacios, Latin American Studies Digital Scholarship Coordinator
- Britt Wilson, Head of Storage and Logistics