Awards for information professionals
Thomson Scientific
June 2007
Each year Thomson Scientific presents awards to recognize information professionals at different stages of their careers. The Roger K. Summit Scholarship supports high-achieving students who are expected to make an impact on the information profession. The InfoStar Awards are given to information professionals whose creativity and innovation inspires others in the industry. Both awards are presented in North America and in Europe, the Middle East, Asia Pacific and Africa . The recipients of the 2007 North America awards have just been announced, and were recognized at ceremonies at the Special Library Association (SLA) meeting in Denver, CO in June.
The Roger K. Summit Scholarship winner: Kimberley MacInnis
How can electronic information in the workplace best be accessed, retrieved and disseminated? What particular obstacles do small and medium-sized enterprises face when trying to integrate electronic information?
The winner of the 2007 Roger K. Summit Scholarship for North America hopes to work with people and organizations to meet these challenges. Kimberely MacInnis, a graduate student from Dalhousie University in Nova Scotia, Canada , is currently pursuing a joint master's degree in Library and Information Studies and Business Administration — and is only the second student at Dalhousie to pursue such a joint degree. The scholarship and USD5,000 award will help continue her studies.
Kim has spent much of her library career working in special libraries within the federal and provincial governments and in the healthcare sector. She has a strong background and interest in information policy and literacy, research methods, information and communication technology, business analysis, organizational strategy and marketing, and is particularly interested in approaching these subjects within the context of electronic information and emerging information and communication technologies.
Kim has already been involved in efforts to put her interests into action, and her latest endeavor is a partnership with two of her classmates to build and operate a student-run business consulting company.
"Kim has already accomplished a great deal in her academic and professional career, and it is an honor to present her with the 2007 Roger K. Summit Scholarship Award," said Libby Trudell, senior vice president of information professional market development. "In awarding this scholarship, we look for people who will make an impact on the information profession, and Kim has demonstrated a commitment to the profession and a grasp of business essentials."
The Scholarship is named in honor of Dialog founder Roger K. Summit, a pioneer in developing the technology behind online information retrieval.
Quantum2 InfoStars awards in North America
What is an InfoStar? It's an information professional that leads the way for others in their field — rising to challenges and taking the initiative to solve problems and create opportunities.
Every year, Quantum2 , the Thomson Scientific leadership development program for information professionals, identifies and recognizes several InfoStars as inspiring examples of initiative and innovation. This year's InfoStars are:
- Amy Affelt, director, Database Research, Lexecon (Chicago, IL)
- Denise Chochrek, supervisor, Information Research Center, Frito Lay (Plano, TX)
- Bill Schoeffler, senior manager, Research Services Group, Navigant Consulting, Inc. (Washington, DC)
Affelt, a 15-year veteran of Lexecon, was honored for her ability to anticipate the research needs of her clients and customize the information she provides to fit those needs. She feels her experience and consistency form the foundation of the stellar service she offers. Amy sees the self-created content of the Web 2.0 trend as an opportunity for information professionals to overcome information overload and find, analyze and package only credible information for their constituents.
Chochrek, while at Frito-Lay for only the past few years, has effected tremendous change in defining the information center's role for the research and development group there. Her vision centers around delivery and encompasses everything from a new name, to a new look, new services and new marketing. And, like any good InfoStar, Denise has involved senior management, gaining their support from the very start for her phased campaign to transform the information center.
Schoeffler, in a mere 3 years at Navigant Consulting, has grown a strong, cohesive and highly valued research team that meets the information needs for 2,000+ employees. As a basis for his efforts, Bill has formulated benchmarking studies, designed new internal marketing collateral and created a database to organize research requests, all while encouraging his group to grow professionally, to think laterally, and to work together as a team.
Congratulations to Amy, Denise and Bill, all true examples of the Quantum2 InfoStar. Their stories provide insight into their professional achievements and leadership qualities, and enable them to serve as role models for others. Above all, they are enthusiastic and positive about the value and the future of information services.