Dean’s Message, April 2026

They say that “No one ever graduates from the library, but no one graduates without it” and I feel that is true. In these two stories, we see students connecting with librarians in ways that affect their entire scholarship and their success. 

For this student, it’s a story about beating the odds, about perseverance and about friendship. Adonica Ihilani Kauwe Tuitama, a Ph.D. student working on dual doctorates in Nursing, reached out to the library chat service while working on her dissertation in the middle of the pandemic. Adonica was connected with librarian Lorelei Rutledge who guided Adonica through citations, building a bibliography and other library tools. Says Dr. Adonica Ihilani Kauwe Tuitama, “Lorelei is one of the people who has profoundly touched me. During the pandemic I felt so isolated. But Lorelei was there by my side… I wouldn’t be where I am today without them.”    

Kathleen Williams, a student in the Honors Program, is graduating with a bachelor degree in Middle East Studies, a minor in Psychology and a minor in Theatre. She worked with librarian Marie Paiva, who was teaching a class that Kathleen was taking. Kathleen became fascinated with Dr. Aziz Atiya, who founded our Middle East Library and the Middle East Center on campus. She relied on Special Collections for her Honors Thesis Project and her undergraduate research project.  

Both of these stories speak to the centrality of the library to student engagement and success. At this time, with the thrill of commencement in the air, I’m delighted when I hear stories like these.  

Congrats to our grads. And Onwards! 

Warmest regards,

Sarah L. Shreeves
Alice Sheets Marriott Dean of Libraries