University Libraries Promotion and Tenure Recognition

Alone, at the age of seven, with 50 cents in my pocket, I bravely boarded the CATA bus that carried me to and from downtown State College for my weekly visit to Schlow Memorial Library. The purpose of these trips was to reunite with the self-assured, independent heroine with whom I spent a large part of my childhood—Nancy Drew. I dreamt of becoming a detective, and even a lawyer (like Nancy’s father Carson), following in Nancy’s footsteps as she defeated the bad guys in book after book.

While crime-fighting was not in my future, Nancy Drew did help shape how I have approached life. She inspired me to pursue challenges with self-reliance, and not to admit defeat, even in the face of overwhelmingly negative odds. Thanks in great part to the example Nancy provided, I have accomplished many of my personal and professional goals. Now, if I could just find a blue roadster…