Friends Decade Celebration

Director of Librareis Tom Wilding And Friends' President Lannie Forbes.

The Friends of the UTA Libraries "pulled out all of the stops" for their tenth birthday celebration held on May 1, 1998, on the sixth floor of the Central Library. The celebration focused on the past, present, and future of the Friends, and a great time was had by all of the 125 people who attended.

Current Friends President Lannie Forbes served as mistress of ceremonies, introducing the many speakers and special guests during the evening. Speaking about the organization of the Friends in 1986-1987 were Gloria Van Zandt, first president of the organization; Wendell Nedderman, president of UTA during those years; and Charles Lowry and his wife, Marcia. Lowry was the library director during the early years. He and Marcia spoke via videotape from the University of Maryland Library, where he is currently dean of libraries.

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Past Friends' presidents from left to right include Mary Perry, Gloria Van Zandt, Margaret Galloway, Jenkins Garrett,
Pam Bagby, Bob Findlay, and Joi Burton.

Lannie Forbes then introduced all of the former Friends’ presidents and presented them with certificates of appreciation. The presidents honored included Gloria Van Zandt (1987-1988), Dessa Spidle (1988-1989), Mary Perry (1989-1990), Margaret Galloway (1990-1991), Bob Findlay (1991-1992), Jenkins Garrett (1992-1993), Joi Burton (1993-1994), Pat Skrtic (1994-1995), Pam Bagby (1995-1996), and Connie Campbell (1996-1997).

Following the recognition of the presidents was current UTA President Robert Witt, who spoke about the importance of libraries to universities and the importance of support groups like the Friends to libraries. Tom Wilding, current library director, discussed the many changes and challenges libraries face in the late 20th century and was joined by President Forbes to recognize donors to the library’s Adopt-A-Journal Program. Wilding and Forbes also announced the recipients of the Friends Faculty Awards, who were Richard Francaviglia, director of the Center for Greater Southwestern Studies and the History of Cartography, and Mike Reimann, lecturer and assistant to the chair of the Information Systems and Management Sciences Department.

Recipients of the Friends' Faculty Award include Richard Francaviglia (left) and Mike Reimann.

Forbes ended the formal part of the evening by conducting a drawing for an evening at the Ballpark in Arlington to be spent in Gloria Van Zandt’s suite for a Texas Rangers game. The lucky Friends member who won the drawing was Dorothy Jones who, with a number of her family and friends, attended a Rangers game during the summer.

After the presentations and remarks, the Friends hosted a gala reception, including a huge birthday cake. The new officers elected early in the evening included Dennis Reinhartz, president; Bansy Johnson, first vice president; Charles Deur, second vice president; Evelyn Hellier, secretary; Tom Kennedy, treasurer; and Lannie Forbes, parliamentarian. The three individuals elected to the Advisory Council were Beth Anderson, Mary Anne Bailey, and Richard Francaviglia.

For more information about the Friends, please call Betty Wood or Gerald Saxon at (817) 272-3393 or Dennis Reinhartz at (817) 274-7086.

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