University Libraries faculty Tom Reinsfelder (left) and Joe Fennewald (right) were congratulated by Dean Barbara I. Dewey at the 2016 Promotion and Tenure reception Wednesday, Oct. 19. (Nancy Adams and Bernadette Lear also were honored.)

Each year since 2003, the University Libraries and Penn State’s Office of the Provost and Office of the President have sponsored an initiative to recognize recently tenured and promoted Penn State faculty. Through the program, each newly tenured or promoted faculty member is asked to select a book for the University Libraries’ permanent collection, which is then identified with a personalized bookplate to acknowledge the individual and the date or his or her achievement.

Seventy-seven members of the Penn State faculty and staff were recognized at the promotion and tenure program and reception on Wednesday, Oct. 19, 2016, in the Paterno Family Humanities Reading Room in Pattee Library.

Barbara I. Dewey, dean of the University Libraries and Scholarly Communications, and Nick Jones, executive vice president and provost of Penn State, congratulated the honorees in attendance. Dean Dewey commented on the importance of celebrating the important milestone and Provost Jones remarked on their commitment to “stellar teaching, research, and service.”

The books were displayed at the reception, each with a personal statement that provided insight into Penn State’s multifaceted faculty. The faculty statements included memories and reflections of how the books enlightened and inspired them in their scholarly activities and throughout their lives.

Included in this year’s selections was Painting as a Pastime, authored by Sir Winston S. Churchill, and chosen by Adam Muchmore, professor of law. Muchmore wrote in his statement about “how the value of interdisciplinary academic work is frequently discussed,” and noted that “this book makes the case for an interdisciplinary approach to life.”

In his statement about selecting his book, Methods of Teaching Agriculture, Daniel Foster, associate professor of agricultural and extension education, wrote, “I am blessed to have the opportunity every day engaging in the worthwhile task of helping individuals realize their power for positive change in the world around them through agricultural education.” Foster’s selected title is the text required for a class he has taught since coming to Penn State.

Professor and Head of Biology Tracy Langkilde accompanied her book selection, Grit: The Power of Passion and Perseverance with a motivational statement. “If you want something badly enough and don’t give up, you will achieve it,” Langkilde wrote. “Regardless of your talent, follow your dreams.”

All book entries and personal statements are archived by year and name and can be viewed on the University Libraries Promotion and Tenure Recognition site at https://libraries.psu.edu/promotion-and-tenure-recognition.