Medallion for Intellectual Achievement

The UK Libraries Medallion for Intellectual Achievement is awarded annually to a Kentucky resident whose accomplishments in the fields of science, literature, art, or philanthropy have made a profound impact on the Commonwealth and represent the pinnacle of creative or scholarly thought.

• 1990 – Dr. Thomas D. Clark
• 1991 – Governor Bert T. Combs
• 1992 – Mr. O. Leonard Press
• 1993 – Mr. Wendell E. Berry
• 1994 – Mr. James Still
• 1995 – Mr. Thomas D. Parrish
• 1996 – Mr. Clay Lancaster
• 1997 – Mrs. Carolyn Hammer
• 1998 – Dr. Bobbie Ann Mason
• 1999 – Dr. Phillip A. Sharp
• 2000 – The Honorable Pierce Lively
• 2001 – Dr. Guy Davenport
• 2002 – Dr. Nancy Martin
• 2003 – Mrs. Jean Ritchie Pickow
• 2004 – Dr. William R. Markesbery
• 2005 – Mr. Albert P. Smith, Jr.
• 2006 – Mr. David B. Dick
• 2008 – Dr. Laman A. Gray, Jr.
• 2009 – The Honorable Joe Lee
• 2010 – Dr. George C. Herring
• 2011 – Mrs. Adalin Wichman
• 2012 – Dr. John Edward Anthony
• 2013 – Mr. John Egerton
• 2014 – Dr. Karl B. Raitz
• 2015 – Dr. George Wright
• 2016 – Dr. Jim Klotter
• 2017 – Dr. F. Douglas Scutchfield
• 2018 – Dr. Everett McCorvey
• 2019 – Dr. Robert K. Wallace
• 2020 – UK Emeritus Professor Robert G. Lawson
• 2021 – bell hooks
• 2022 – Dr. Tracy Campbell
• 2023 – Dr. John R. Thelin
• 2024 – Dr. Paul Evans Holbrook, Jr.

Dean’s Award for Excellence in Undergraduate Scholarship

The Dean's Award for Excellence in Undergraduate Scholarship is awarded annually to two undergraduate students whose research projects make substantive and creative use of UK Libraries’ collections, services, and resources.

• 2017 – Adrian Weldon
• 2018 – Mary Margaret Zrull
• 2019 – Emily Hedges, Hannah Thompson
• 2021 – Isha Chauhan, Haley Shaver
• 2022 – Claire-Marie Hall, Isabelle Pethtel
• 2023 – Seth Garcia, Anna Watrous
• 2024 – Zachary Owen, Megan Quish

Earle C. Clements Innovation in Education Award

The Earle C. Clements Innovation in Education Award recognizes promising Kentucky civics and history teachers who display great creativity and innovation in the classroom.

• 2015 – Timothy Peterson
• 2016 – Margaret Lynn Brewer
• 2017 – Amy Michele Madsen, Steven K. Riley, Whitney Walker
• 2018 – Laura Cooley, Dustin Ferrell, Amber Sergent
• 2019 – Ashley McGaughey, Donnie Wilkerson, Chris Workman
• 2021 – Jennifer Barlow, Aaron Cain, Brenda Fairchild, Ryan Lewis, Ashley Milar, Gerald Morris
• 2022 – Peyton Barnhill, Kelly Beckett, Brandon Forshey
• 2023 – Dion Copeland, Cody Foster, Rachel Carrier Hubbard, Brandon Riddle

2024 Alternative Textbook Grant Recipients

• Kera Ackerman, Special Education
• Sean Burns, Information Science
• Juan Fernandez Cantero, Hispanic Studies
• Charles Fox, Agricultural & Medical Biotechnology
• Melanie Beals Goan, History
• Priscila Norris, Social Work
• Winter Phong, Arts Administration
• Nels Jeff Rogers, German Studies
• Lynda Sharrett, Psychology

To view a full list of past grant recipients, visit our Open Educational Resources Guide.

More information about award criteria and nomination processes for each of the above opportunities can be found on our Research Awards & Grants page.

Paul A. Willis Award for Outstanding Faculty

The Paul A. Willis Award is given annually to a UK Libraries faculty member who stands out amongst their colleagues through outstanding achievements in their primary assignment and exemplary leadership, creativity, and spirit of service.

• 2013 – Sandee McAninch
• 2014 – Tari Keller
• 2015 – Doug Boyd
• 2016 – Frank Davis
• 2017 – Toni Greider
• 2018 – Kate Seago
• 2019 – Eric Weig
• 2020 – Beth Kraemer
• 2021 – Deirdre Scaggs
• 2022 – Reinette Jones
• 2023 – Jennifer Bartlett
• 2024 – Ruth Bryan

Dean's Award for Outstanding Staff Performance

The Dean's Award for Outstanding Staff Performance is awarded annually to UK Libraries staff members who demonstrate exemplary professionalism, collegiality, and creativity in the performance of their responsibilities.

• 2006 – Cindy Parker, Sharon Stocker
• 2007 – Terri Brown, Judy Fugate, Mary Geyer
• 2008 – Melissa Barlow, Jennifer Eskew, Robert Turner
• 2009 – Scott Howard, Mary Spencer, Theresa Yocum
• 2010 – Bridgett Kidwell, Kathryne LeFevre, Carolyn Sears
• 2011 – Kevin Campbell, Rick Garrett, Jeff Rion
• 2012 – Sharon Clark, Sherree Osborne, Amanda Williams
• 2013 – Edward Brown, Laura Hall, Eugenia Kempster
• 2014 – Nancy DeMarcus, David Powell, Allison Webster
• 2015 – Marie Dale, Janet Layman, Peggy Phillips
• 2016 – Joshua Monroe, Beth Reeder, Kopana Terry
• 2017 – Rachel Combs, Gwen Curtis, Daniel Naas
• 2018 – Jacqueline Doucet, Crystal Heis, Troy Martin
• 2019 – James Crowden, Shell Dunn, Danielle Gabbard
• 2020 – Kelly McQueen, MLE Slone, Sarah Watson
• 2021 – Terri Brown, Jan Coburn, Mary Pattengill
• 2022 – Amanda Williams, Daniel Naas, Amanda Jewell
• 2023 – Beth Reeder, Jeretta Robinson, Theresa Yocum
• 2024 – Amanda Bailey, Sarah Coblentz, Rebecca Jude

Dean's Award for Outstanding Graduate Assistant

The Dean's Award for Outstanding Graduate Assistant is awarded annually to a Library Science graduate assistant who demonstrates outstanding initiative, creativity, and dedication in their work performance. 

• 2014 – Kristen Hanny
• 2015 – Brittany Netherton
• 2016 – Lauren Farmer
• 2017 – Brittiny Reynolds
• 2018 – Dealla Samadi
• 2019 – Victoria Seng
• 2020 – Kelly Bilz
• 2021 – Cayla Robinson
• 2022 – Annabelle Smith
• 2023 – Kaylee McMunn
• 2024 – Charlotte Stephens

Dean's Award for Outstanding Student Assistant

The Dean's Award for Outstanding Student Assistant is awarded annually to student workers who demonstrate exceptional dedication and dependability in their work performance.

• 2006 – LaShonda Hill, Jessica Powell, Jeff Rion, Matthew Ryan
• 2007 – Emily Crumrine, Krista King, Lindsey LeGrand, Benjamin Owen
• 2008 – Janice Childers, Esta Day, Christine Gearhart, Will Sanders
• 2009 – Lauren Conley, Sarah Hill, Martha Kountz, Jeannette Vindell
• 2010 – Casey Parker-Bell, David Brian Boone, Whitney Muetterties, Elizabeth Siler
• 2011 – Zach Hays, Nigel Lepianka, Devin Phelps, Mark Wetherington
• 2012 – Daniel Garrett, Aleisha Paige Johnson, Sheli Saltsman, Rachel Staub
• 2013 – Jennifer Harris, Patricia Hartman, Megan Moran, Mona Ibrahim Moh Abu Sharib
• 2014 – Hamilton Palmer Grigsby, Ashlea Schneider
• 2015 – Roda Ferraro, Joshua Lindsey, Karaline Wood
• 2016 – Rebecca Cheatham, Sarah Lewis, Bethany Williams
• 2017 – MiKayla Carter, Peyton Pruitt, Patricia Smith
• 2018 – Emily Hudson, Evelyn Hudson, Arianna Smith
• 2019 – Johannah Ball, Justin Garrett, Shannon Lyndsey Shepherd
• 2020 – Olivia Arnold, Yancy Sizemore, Madison Kamer
• 2021 – Caleb Geyer, Olivia Rexford, Sarah Tuley
• 2022 – Beth Woodall, Rebecca Ahn
• 2023 – Grayson Barnett, Emorie Jackson, Andrea Salazar
• 2024 – Alexis Johnson, Taylor Koerner, Madison Treece