July 7, 2005

HEAD OF BRIDWELL LIBRARY ACCEPTS
POST AT ILLINOIS UNIVERSITY

DALLAS (SMU) - Valerie R. Hotchkiss, the J.S. Bridwell Foundation Endowed Librarian and Professor Medieval Studies, is leaving Bridwell Library and Perkins School of Theology to become head of the Rare Book and Special Collections Library at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign effective Aug. 1.

Reflecting on her 12 years of service to SMU, Dean William B. Lawrence of Perkins School of Theology says, “Valerie Hotchkiss continued an outstanding tradition of leadership at Bridwell Library and has made extraordinary contributions in her stewardship of its facilities, collections, staff, and services to the community of theological scholars. During her tenure, she has placed both an elevating and an enduring mark on the institution.”

Hotchkiss has served on the board of the American Theological Library Association and the library board of the Dallas Museum of Art. She is a member of the Rare Book and Manuscript Section of the American Library Association. She received her bachelor’s degree in classical languages and literatures from the University of Cincinnati, a master’s degree in Library Science from Southern Connecticut State University and a doctorate in medieval studies from Yale University.

At the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Hotchkiss also will hold the rank of professor of library administration and professor of medieval studies. The Rare Book and Special Collections Library is the main repository for rare books, manuscripts and special collections in the University Library System.

Perkins School of Theology is one of five university-related official schools of theology of The United Methodist Church. The school was founded in 1911 by the Methodist Episcopal Church South, now The United Methodist Church. Degree programs include the Master of Church Ministry, Master of Divinity, Master of Sacred Music, Master of Theological Studies and Doctor of Ministry degree, as well as the Ph.D. in cooperation with SMU’s Dedman College of Humanities and Sciences.

For further information, contact Roberta Cox, Director of Public Affairs for Perkins School of Theology, at 214.768.2335 or rcox@smu.edu.

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Southern Methodist University is a private university in Dallas with more than 10,000 students and offers degree programs through seven schools. More information about SMU is available at www.smu.edu.