Gallagher Receives NEA Distinguished Service Award
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Worcester, MA - Connell B. Gallagher became the latest recipient of New England Archivists' Distinguished Service Award at the group's October 20 semi-annual meeting at Holy Cross College. Gallagher is the fifth person to receive the award, which recognizes exemplary service to the archival profession and archives in New England. |
A resident of Underhill, Vt., Gallagher has served as director of research collections at the University of Vermont since 1992 and holds the academic rank of library professor. Previously he served as head of special collections, university archivist, and curator of manuscripts at UVM. He also served in 1988-89 as staff archivist for U.S. Senators Robert Stafford and Patrick J. Leahy.
Gallagher began his career as in archives in 1969 as an archival assistant at the State Historical Society of Wisconsin. He began at UVM in 1970 as manuscripts librarian. During the past 30 years he has been active in the profession through writing, editing, consulting, and serving in numerous capacities at the local, state, regional, and national levels.
He is a member of a number of library, archival, and historical organizations and is the author of numerous publications, including "A Repository Archivist on Capitol Hill," and "Problems of a Collection Development Archivist." Most recently, he presented a paper "Privacy and the Archival Code of Ethics: Changing Values for Changing Times," at the Society of American Archivists (SAA)'s annual conference in August 2000.
"As I said in my brief remarks at Holy Cross, I am deeply touched by this award because I have been an active member of NEA since the beginning…I really learned to be an archivist at NEA meetings," Gallagher said. "The organization provides tremendous opportunities for archivists young and old: I took advantage of these and the mentoring that came with them, and I hope that I am giving an equal amount back to my younger colleagues."
Gallagher received a B.A. from Pace College, an M.A. in English/European History from the University of Wisconsin, and a M.S. in library science from the University of Illinois. He is also a Certified Archivist. Previously, he was professionally honored by membership in national library science and history honor societies, as a fellow of the Vermont Academy of Arts and Sciences, and by UVM with a Faculty Development Award.
Gallagher has served the profession through his work on numerous committees and in appointed and elected positions. He is a former president of the Vermont Library Association, and has chaired the both the Manuscripts and College and University Archives Sections of the SAA. A member of NEA since 1973, he has served the organization in a number of capacities, including a term as president in 1983-1984.
NEA grants the New England Archivists Distinguished Service Award to individuals or institutions who are dedicated to the promotion of NEA objectives and who have made significant contributions to the profession, their institution, NEA and the information field in New England. The award may reflect the total experience of the awardee, not necessarily that of the current year, and is based upon knowledge, leadership, participation and achievements in the profession.
NEA is a regional organization of people who care for historical records. It provides ways for volunteer and professional archivists to network with one another and offers educational opportunities. The organization is committed to archival awareness among users, educators, and the general public. NEA works with those in related professions, such as records managers in corporate or medical archives, and audiovisual librarians to encourage the sharing of information and resources.
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