Press "Enter" to skip to content

Category: From the Director

Science Executive Committee in Panama

Nancy Gwinn
April 3, 2015
3 Comments

On March 22-29, I traveled to Panama and the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute (STRI) with members of the Smithsonian’s Science Executive Committee. This is the science unit directors group who meet with the interim Undersecretary for Science each month. Others on the trip were Scott Miller, the Office of the Undersecretary for Science (OUSS) staff, Cynthia Brandt Stover, Smithsonian Campaign Director and Jenny McWilliams, Science Advancement Officer. Oh yes, and Stacy Cavanaugh’s 12-year-old son.

Continue ReadingScience Executive Committee in Panama

In Memoriam of Russell Train

Liz O'Brien
September 19, 2012
Leave a Comment
Dr. Nancy E. Gwinn, Roger and Vicki Sant, Russell and Aileen Train, and Dr. Wade Davis at the “Art of African Exploration” opening reception in December of 2008.

It is with great sadness that I tell you of the death of Russell Train, one of the Libraries’ major benefactors. Russell was a close friend of Joseph F. Cullman 3rd and it was Joe’s suggestion that brought Russell to us and ultimately resulted in his donation of the Russell E. Train Africana Collection, which resides in the Cullman Library. The donation was singular since it came with a full inventory of the collection, which he developed, including evaluations of individual items.

Continue ReadingIn Memoriam of Russell Train

In Memoriam of Russell Shank

Liz O'Brien
August 27, 2012
Leave a Comment
Russell Shank

I was saddened to learn that Russell Shank, 86, appointed by Smithsonian Secretary S. Dillon Ripley as the first director of the Smithsonian Libraries, died June 26 of complications from a fall.  The 1978–1979 president of the American Library Association, he had been attending its 2012 Annual Conference in Anaheim at the time of his death, and was among the library leaders acknowledged at the June 21 Library Champions and Past Presidents Reception.

Continue ReadingIn Memoriam of Russell Shank