Category Archives: Merit Award

Call for Nominations: 2023 SOA Merit Award

The SOA Membership & Awards Committee seeks nominations for the 2023 Society of Ohio Archivists Merit Award.

The award is given to individuals or organizations that have by excellence in deeds, actions, or initiatives improved the state of archives in Ohio over the past year. The award will be announced at the SOA Annual Meeting, which will be held on Friday, May 12, 2023 at the Dayton Metro Library in Dayton.

Applications are due by March 10, 2023.
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Extended! Call for Nominations: 2021 SOA Merit Award

The SOA Membership & Awards Committee seeks nominations for the 2021 Society of Ohio Archivists Merit Award.

The award is given to individuals or organizations that have by excellence in deeds, actions, or initiatives improved the state of archives in Ohio over the past year. The award will be presented at the SOA Annual Meeting, which will be held virtually on June 7-8, 2021.

Applications are due by April 21, Friday May 7, 2021.

Nominations should include the following information:

  • Name of nominee;
  • Nominee’s employer or institution;
  • Nominee’s mailing address, phone number, and email address;
  • Brief reason for nomination;
  • The nominator’s contact information so that the awards committee may contact you for additional information.

See the list of past awardees on the Merit Award page.

Applications and inquiries can be sent via email or mail to Membership & Awards Committee Cochair Stephanie Shreffler, Roesch Library RM 304A, 300 College Park, Dayton, OH 45469-1360.

SOA Merit Award Winner: Licking County Records & Archives

The Society of Ohio Archivists Merit Award is awarded to individuals or organizations that have by excellence in deeds, actions, or initiatives improved the state of archives in Ohio over the past year.

Licking County Records & Archives entrance

Licking County Records & Archives entrance. Photo courtesy Licking County Records & Archives

This year the Awards Committee chose two recipients for the 2020 award. The winners were Cate Putirskis and the Licking County Records and Archives Department. In this post we feature Licking County Records & Archives.

In 2018, Licking County Records and Archives was tasked with removing more than 100 years of records stored in the Licking County Courthouse attic. After three days of work, staff had removed hundreds of boxes and more than 300 bound volumes, including historical books from the County Clerk of Courts, Treasurer, and Auditor. All of the books were either contaminated with mold, covered in bird and bat feces, or deteriorating from poor storage conditions. Continue reading

SOA Merit Award Winner: Cate Putirskis

The Society of Ohio Archivists Merit Award is awarded to individuals or organizations that have by excellence in deeds, actions, or initiatives improved the state of archives in Ohio over the past year.

Cate Putirskis portrait

Cate Putirskis portrait. Photo courtesy The Ohio State University.

This year the Awards Committee chose two recipients for the 2020 award.The winners were Cate Putirskis and the Licking County Records and Archives Department. In this post we feature Cate.

Cate Putirskis is honored for her exemplary contributions to archival practices and the profession. She has developed and shared innovative approaches to technical services for archival collections as manager of Archival Description and Access at The Ohio State University Libraries. Cate employs agile methodology and project tracking software to manage a busy team of permanent, contractual, and student employees. This novel approach to archival processing has led to significant gains. Continue reading

SOA Merit Award: Call for Nominations

The Society of Ohio Archivists Merit Award is given to individuals or organizations that have by excellence in deeds, actions, or initiatives improved the state of archives in Ohio over the past year.

The 2020 awards will be announced at the annual spring meeting on Friday, May 15, 2020, at the Columbus Metropolitan Library Main Library in Columbus, Ohio. Nominations are due by March 13, 2020. Continue reading

SOA Award Recipients 2015

Congratulations to the recipients of the SOA Merit Awards, New Professional Scholarships, and Student Scholarships to the SOA Annual Meeting!  The awardees will be recognized at the upcoming Annual Meeting on May 15th, at OCLC in Dublin, Ohio.  Their hard work and accomplishments are greatly appreciated by Ohio archivists, and they serve as excellent role models in our profession.

New Professional Scholarships:

  • Shawnee Yvette Murrain
  • Maren McKee

Student Scholarships:

  • Nina Ann Herzog
  • Shelby Dixon

Merit Awards:

  • Gillian Marsham Hill
  • Janet Carleton

Society of Ohio Archivists 2015 Merit Award

The Society of Ohio Archivists Merit Award is given to individuals or organizations that have by excellence in deeds, actions, or initiatives improved the state of archives in Ohio over the past year.

Applications should include the following information:

  • Name of nominee;
  • Nominee’s employer or institution;
  • Nominee’s mailing address, phone number, and e-mail address;
  • Brief reason for nomination;
  • The nominator’s contact information so that the awards committee may contact you for additional information;
  • Applications are due by February 15, 2015.

Applications and inquiries can be sent via e-mail or mail to Devhra BennettJones.  Email: [email protected]  Address: Lloyd Library, 917 Plum Street, Cincinnati, Ohio 45202.

The award will be presented at the Society of Ohio Archivists Annual meeting on Friday, May 15, 2015 at the OCLC Conference Center in Dublin, Ohio.

2014 SOA Merit Award

Congratulations to the Sandusky Library and to the Ohio Historical Records Advisory Board, winners of the 2014 SOA Merit Awards!

Merit Award presented to the Sandusky Library

SOA President Judith Wiener presents the Merit Award to the Sandusky Library, May 21, 2014, with Ron Davidson accepting on the library’s behalf. On right is Jillian Carney Council Liaison to the Awards Committee.

 SOA President Judith Wiener presenting Merit Award to OHRAB member Janet Carleton, accepting on behalf of the Ohio Historical Records Advisory Board, May 21, 2014. Others in photo are past or present OHRAB members (Laurie Gemmill Arp, Carleton, Dawne Dewey, Ron Davidson, George Bain). At right is Jillian Carney, OHS staff member who facilitates the board's work and Council liaison to the Awards Committee.

SOA President Judith Wiener presenting Merit Award to OHRAB member Janet Carleton, accepting on behalf of the Ohio Historical Records Advisory Board, May 21, 2014. Others in photo are past or present OHRAB members (Laurie Gemmill Arp, Carleton, Dawne Dewey, Ron Davidson, George Bain). At right is Jillian Carney, OHS staff member who facilitates the board’s work and Council liaison to the Awards Committee.

Call for SOA Merit Award Nominations

The Society of Ohio Archivists Merit Award is given to individuals or organizations that have by excellence in deeds, actions, or initiatives improved the state of archives in Ohio over the past year.

Applications should include the following information:

  •  Name of nominee;
  •  Nominee’s employer or institution;
  •  Nominee’s mailing address, phone number, and e-mail address;
  •  Brief reason for nomination;
  •  The nominator’s contact information so that the awards committee may contact you for additional information;

Applications are due by March 28, 2014.

Applications and inquiries can be sent via e-mail or mail to Devhra BennettJones.  Email: [email protected]  Address: Lloyd Library, 917 Plum Street, Cincinnati, Ohio 45202.

For past recipients and additional information, please visit the Merit Award page.

The award will be presented at the Society of Ohio Archivists Annual meeting on May 16, 2014 at the OCLC Conference Center in Dublin, Ohio.