Each year, The Friends of the Library sponsor Courtright Memorial Library's Library Awards. Library Awards are awarded to student staff at Courtright Memorial Library committed to service. Here are this year's winners.
2025 Library Award Winners
John Becker Memorial Award
To the graduating senior who has worked no less than 3 years at the library, has a GPA of at least 3.2, and the strongest record of service to the library.
Who was John Becker?
John Becker (class of 1950) served as Otterbein’s Library Director from 1954 until 1985. Under his stewardship the library collection grew to include vinyl records, films, and other media, as well as microfilm and microfiche. He oversaw the creation of the Courtright Memorial Library, which at the time included the library collection, the Learning Resource Center (a forerunner of ITS), and the university television studio. In addition to his library duties, Mr. Becker helped organize commencement every year and was an avid photographer of Otterbein history.
Harold Hancock Memorial Award
To the student who has completed at least one complete year of employment and has built an outstanding record of service.
Who was Harold Hancock?
Harold Hancock taught history at Otterbein from 1948 to 1985. He was a specialist in local history and wrote several books on the subject. He is also a well-known historian of his native state of Delaware. Dr. Hancock helped lead the effort to save and restore the Philomathean Room in Towers Hall and was heavily involved in the Westerville Historical Society.
Tirza Barnes Memorial Award
To the most outstanding graduating senior in respect to work ethic, professionalism, community service, etc., who is pursuing a career in library science.
Who was Tirza Barnes?
Tirza Barnes (class of 1885) devoted forty-three years of service to Otterbein university, her Alma Mater, as student, alumna, and faculty. Among one of her accomplishments, was the foundation of the Otterbein Young Christian Women’s Association in 1882. Tirza was also a member of the Philathean Literary Society long after her graduation from Otterbein.
Alberta Messmer Award
To the first year student who has shown the best work ethic (punctuality, attendance, job performance) in their first year of employment.
Who was Alberta Messmer?
Alberta Messmer (class of 1940) grew up in the shadow of Otterbein, and followed in the footsteps of her father, Jesse Engle (professor of Religion, 1924-56) by taking a job with the university. She served as a reference librarian from 1955 until 1985, and then as the library director from 1985-1988. In her retirement she became the volunteer university archivist, a position she held until 1992 when, thanks to her hard work, the role of archivist was made a part-time, paid position.
Robert Price Award
To the student assistant who has a cumulative GPA of 3.95-4.0 and who has performed in an excellent manner as a student assistant.
Who was Robert Price?
Robert Price was the world’s premier authority on John Chapman, a.k.a Johnny Appleseed, and his book Johnny Appleseed: Man or Myth (1954) is still considered the definitive biography. From 1946-1970 Dr. Price taught English at Otterbein. He was a man of letters who corresponded with the leading literary lights of his era. In his spare time, he helped to found the Westerville Historical Society, and he pulled together and curated the collections of papers, ledgers, and photographs that make up the core of the Otterbein University archive.
Logo created by Alexis Garnek 16'
The Friends are an association of persons interested in: promoting the interests of the library; encouraging an understanding of the part the library plays in educating Otterbein students and supporting faculty and staff; and cooperating with other libraries to share resources. They encourage gifts and bequests to benefit the library, and assist the library and its staff with exhibits, programs, publications, and other appropriate means.
Each year, the Friends of Courtright Memorial Library hold a bookmark designing contest. Students attending Otterbein University are encouraged to design a bookmark for the Friends. The winners of the competition have their bookmark design made. The bookmark is then sent to new and returning Friends. Here is the bookmark of the 2025-2026 winner, the bookmark that will be sent out this coming academic year! Congrats and thanks to Julian Valentino, the Otterbein student designer.
FOL Council Members
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