Semonche Named UNC-CH SILS Distinguished Alum
Barbara Semonche, pictured right, with award.
By Barbara Semonche, Library Director
semonch@metalab.unc.edu
UNC-CH School of Journalism and Mass
Communication
May 1, 1998
Chapel Hill, NC
Robert Dalton, 1997-98 President of SILS Alumni Association, had some good news to deliver to me a few weeks ago. I am honored, stunned certainly, yet undeniably delighted to be named a distinguished alum of SILS. Although I believe that the distinguished part is more associated with SILS than with me. Nevertheless, I feel cause to celebrate and reflect.
I believe that there are several librarians here with us today who have been named Distinguished Alumni of SILS. Please stand up and be recognized. By the way, Robert Dalton deserves our thanks for posting the names of the previous winners on SILS alumni list.
With me today is my husband of 36 years, Jack Semonche. Many of you know him as a professor of history and a lawyer, but are unaware that he writes plays, creates computer simulations and multimedia instructional programs. He is also a world-class researcher. I hasten to add, though, that he is NOT available for interlibrary loan.
I began my association with SILS in 1974 when it was the School of Library Science. A lot more has happened to the School (and me) since then than a mere change of name.
My first dean was Margaret Kalp, a warm, supportive, yet thoroughly professional administrator. Following her as deans of the School were such library luminaries as Ed Holley, Evelyn Daniel, and Barbara Moran, each one taking the School to new levels of achievement and excellence.
I remember many things during my two years as a graduate student between 1974-76. An extraordinary field experience at EPA, a demanding, enlightening reference course with Fred Roper, and my first introduction to computers (and PL-1 programming language) in Ken Shearer's class. Remember, this was 1974. We were doing "batch" computing on the IRSS mainframe in the basement of Manning Hall. If it hadn't been for the invaluable assistance of a classmate named Chu (and his 4-year old son), I wouldn't have passed the course. (Remember, too, that this was the time BEFORE Scott Barker was on the faculty.) Still, I vowed then and there to my husband that I would NEVER take any library job that ANYTHING to do with computers!
So much for promises. As it turned out, I took a job as the librarian with the Herald-Sun newspaper in Durham. Little did I know then that the newspaper industry was soon to undergo major changes because of computer technology. I was plunged into the turbulent world of electronic type-setting and full-text archiving. In the intervening two decades, however, I have learned to tolerate computers and to some extent wield some sort of control over them. I also confess that I really could not function in today's library without computer technology and Internet access.
But what influenced me most in the years that followed my graduation in 1976 was the friendship of my former classmates, the inspiration of my SILS student interns, and the educational leadership of the faculty, many of whom I continue to keep in touch. The true web, as far as I can tell, is not just the virtual variety; it is the real, genuine network of personal and professional associations which sustains me. Add to those connections the support of the main and departmental library super searchers on this campus and I come up with a powerful, responsive network of info pros. This is a web is strong yet flexible, expanding but stable, enduring yet constantly reinventing and renewing itself.
I'm proud of my association with this School of Information and Library Science and I marvel at the talent and accomplishments of its current and former students. SILS is the hallmark of all that is excellent in our profession and serves as a model for the future. I certainly plan to be around to chart its course, document its progress, and celebrate its achievements.
Within a year's time Journalism and Mass Communication library will move into new quarters in Carroll Hall. The Park Library will be a state-of-the-art center equipped to support education and research in mass communication. The grand opening will be marked by a rather large party to which you will all be invited. We look forward to seeing you there.
I'm deeply grateful for this honor, Robert, and extend my heartfelt gratitude to the SILS Alumni Association and to the extraordinary librarian who nominated me, Teresa Leonard.