Lucretia W. McClure Excellence in Education Award

The Lucretia W. McClure Excellence in Education Award was established in 1998. The award is named after one of MLA’s most respected members and honors outstanding practicing librarians or library educators in the field of health sciences librarianship and informatics who demonstrate skills in one or more of the following areas: teaching, curriculum development, mentoring, research, or leadership in education at local, regional, or national levels.   

Learn more about Lucretia W. McClure, AHIP, FMLA (1925-2019) in MLA Oral Histories from 2015 and 1998. McClure was a regular contributor to MLA News with her Honoring Our Past blog.

Criteria

• Nominees must be members of MLA.
  • Membership may be confidentially confirmed by contacting Membership Services.
• Nominees must be currently employed as a health sciences librarian or educator at the time of the award and must have worked in such a position for at least five years immediately preceding the award.
• The nomination may be made for contributions to education as demonstrated by excellence and achievement in service, curriculum development, leadership, publications, presentations, teaching, research, mentoring, special projects, or any combination of these areas.

The jury will review nominations and award points based on accomplishments in education, impact of work, service to the profession, visibility recognition of work, and major current undertakings.

• Accomplishments in Education – leadership role; special achievements; research projects; grant projects; honors; awards; consultantships.
• Impact of Work – impact of achievements and contributions to the nominee’s institution and to the profession.
• Service to the Profession – offices held in MLA, MLA Caucuses or other MLA activities; other professional association activities.
• Visibility Recognition of Work – Presentations of a general nature; educational or instructional presentations; published or unpublished writings, reports, reviews; general visibility and recognition of a person’s work by colleagues, administration and library users.
• Major Current Undertakings – shows an ongoing commitment to the field of health information education.

Nominations

• The online nomination must be completed and all supporting documents uploaded no later than November 1.
• Self-nominations are encouraged and accepted.
• The nomination must contain at least the following elements:
  • a precise description of the nominee’s achievements;
  • a current curriculum vitae or resume; and
  • any further information which may assist the jury in the evaluation of the nomination and the selection of the recipient.
• Up to three letters of support may be included with the nomination.
• Late and incomplete nominations will not be considered.

Recipient

• The award recipient will be notified in March and will receive a cash award of $500 in June, after the annual conference.
• The recipient will be asked to share a photo and video for the virtual awards ceremony held in April. 
• If there are no appropriate candidates, the association may elect not to present the award in a given year.

Ready to Submit a Nomination?

The nomination must be completed, and all supporting documents uploaded no later than November 15.

Past Recipients

• 2024
• Margaret Foster
• 2023
• Emily Vardell
• 2022
• Andrew Hamilton
• 2021
• Jodi Philbrick
• 2020
• Amy Blevins
• 2019
• Whitney Townsend
• 2018
• Mary Edwards
• 2017
• Julia Esparza
• 2016
• Jeffrey Huber
• 2015
• none awarded
• 2014
• Michele Tennant
• 2013
• Jonathan Eldredge
• 2012
• Janet G. Schnall, AHIP
• 2011
• Gale Hannigan
• 2010
• Lauren Maggio
• 2009
• Kathleen McKibbon
• 2008
• Sarah McCord
• 2007
• Renata Geer
• 2006
• Connie Schardt
• 2005
• Jo Dorsch
• 2004
• Janis Glover
• Kathyrn Nesbit*
• 2003
• none awarded
• 2002
• Ellen Detlefsen
• 2001
• Julie McGowan
• 2000
• Ana Cleveland
• 1999
• Lucretia W. McClure, AHIP, FMLA*