Cathy –

 I am writing to you to see if you would share with the members of the TLA the establishment of the Annelle Huggins Scholarship at the University of Memphis.  I had the privilege of working for Annelle as a Serials Librarian Assistant while pursuing my undergraduate degree at the then Memphis State University.  My work at the time consisted of assisting in the cataloging work on the Tennessee Union List of Serials.  Annelle was a mentor and friend who through her leadership showed me what was possible when you get together passionate people with a defined purpose.  She had a profound impact on my life and whatever successes and contributions I have had or made. 

I know she has made a tremendous impact on the work of libraries and librarians in Tennessee as well.  Besides her faculty position at Memphis (Associate Professor and Associate Dean of University Libraries) where she influenced generations of students like myself, she also served many roles in the TLA as I'm sure you know much better than I.  I have not lived in Tennessee for many years, but still have family in the East, Middle and West of the state.  I was alarmed to see recent efforts of some to censor libraries and restrict access to literature and history in Tennessee.  I had always planned to endow a scholarship honoring Annelle through our estate planning.  I have a sense of urgency to do so now.  I have worked with the University to establish the scholarship and will ensure it is endowed in perpetuity through our estate planning.  But I would like to see that happen sooner rather than later, which is why I am writing to you now.   I would like to invite the members of the TLA to join me in donating to the Annelle Huggins Scholarship.  It will support graduate students ``working toward a degree or certificate in School Library Information Specialist or Literacy ''. The Dean of the School of Education will select the awardee. Donations can be made by clicking here.  I can not think of a better way of paying forward the generosity of spirit Annelle shared with everyone she encountered and supporting a new generation of Librarians.

Sincere regards,

Daniel Cody

UofM '91