Dean of WVU Libraries Karen Diaz (center) and WVU Law Library’s Head of Outreach, Attorney Services and Digital Initiatives Stephanie Miller (right) presenting Director of Knowledge Access and Resource Management (KARM) Megan Heady (left) the 2025 Outstanding Librarian Award.
During a May 28 ceremony at the Downtown Library in Morgantown, West Virginia, the WVU Library Faculty Assembly (LFA) Awards Committee and the WVU Libraries Staff Recognition and Awards Committee presented several awards to this year’s librarian and staff recipients, recognizing their exceptional knowledge, skill and dedication to their role and the larger WVU community.
“It’s wonderful to celebrate the accomplishments of our colleagues,” said Dean of WVU Libraries Karen Diaz. “Not only is it a time to thank these exceptional award recipients for their outstanding performance and dedication, but also to take note of the great work happening across the WVU Libraries system and reflect on their excellent example.”
Not only is it a time to thank these exceptional award recipients for their outstanding performance and dedication, but also to take note of the great work happening across WVU Libraries. Karen Diaz, Dean, WVU Libraries
The 2025 WVU Libraries LFA and staff awards go to:
Megan Heady – Outstanding Librarian Award
The Awards Committee of the WVU Library Faculty Assembly selected Megan Heady, director of the Knowledge Access and Resource Management (KARM) department, for the 2025 Outstanding Librarian Award. Megan was nominated for her technical expertise, leadership and communication skills, and dedication to the Libraries over the last 12 years.
Pictured left to right: WVU Law Library’s Head of Outreach, Attorney Services and Digital Initiatives Stephanie Miller, Director of KARM Megan Heady, Head of Archives and Manuscripts Jane LaBarbara and Accessioning Archivist Grace Musgrave.
Beth Thobois – Distinguished Service Award
The Awards Committee of the WVU Library Faculty Assembly selected Beth Thobois for the 2025 Distinguished Service Award. She retired May 9, 2024 as university librarian, emerita with more than 30 years of service to WVU. Beth was nominated for her many impactful contributions to the Libraries such as the introduction of innovative educational tools and leading the expansion of library services across diverse constituencies.
Autumn Summers – Outstanding Employee of the Year
Supporting the WVU Libraries Staff Recognition and Awards Committee, a nomination review sub-committee of retired Libraries faculty and staff selected Autumn Summers, a collections support manager in KARM, for the 2025 Outstanding Employee of the Year Award. Autumn was nominated for her exceptional institutional knowledge, leadership on key projects, and ongoing commitment to enhancing Libraries’ services.
Braden Rupe – Early Career Employee of the Year
The nomination review sub-committee selected Braden Rupe, a collections support specialist in KARM, for the 2025 Early Career Employee of the Year Award. Braden was nominated for his strong and consistent performance, clear commitment to professional development, and ability to collaborate and contribute positively to his team and broader Libraries culture.
Rae Cornell, Nina Han, Caty Rakowski, Braden Rupe and Autumn Summers – Team Excellence Award
The nomination review sub-committee selected the Appalachian Call Number Relabeling Project team—Rae Cornell, Nina Han, Caty Rakowski, Braden Rupe and Autumn Summers—for the 2025 WVU Libraries Team Excellence Award. This team was nominated for their work on a complex initiative that required seamless teamwork between Access Services and KARM team members to standardize the spine labels of approximately 7,000 volumes in the Appalachian Collection.
Pictured left to right: Collections Support Manager Autumn Summers, Access Services Desk Manager Rae Cornell, Access Services Assistant Caty Rakowski, Collections Support Specialist & Student Coordinator Nina Han, Collections Support Specialist Braden Rupe and Dean of WVU Libraries Karen Diaz.
Thank you to all our 2025 award winners for your dedicated service to the profession and our institution.
-WVU Libraries-
MEDIA CONTACT: Ellis Willard
Director of Public Relations & Events
WVU Libraries
304-293-0306; ellis.willard@mail.wvu.edu