Friends of the Libraries Fiscal Year 2026 Highlights

The Friends of the Libraries supports the mission of the University Libraries: To provide exceptional resources, services, and spaces that support the academic and research needs of the Wright State University community while fostering a welcoming environment. The funds raised through memberships directly support Wright State students, faculty, staff, and the Miami Valley Community through a variety of programs, including a book club, scholarships, grants, and materials.

In fiscal year 2025, the Friends of the Libraries awarded a total of $4500 in scholarships to nine Library Student Assistant Award recipients at the Fall 2025 and the Spring 2026 LSAA receptions. Library Student Assistant Awards are funded by contributions to the Campus Scholarship Innovative Campaign from the University Libraries staff and other donors, and interest earned from the Friends of the Libraries endowment fund. To date, 457 awards have been distributed to 265 students totaling over $214,150.

The Fall 2025 recipients were Faith Harrel, Alanah Culbreath, and Alanna Carey. Spring 2026 recipients were Ray’Ven Tillis, Alondra Mallia, Gabriella Halcomb, Caden Conley, Genevieve Brown, and Alexandra Arn.

Annually in April, the University Libraries and the Friends of the Libraries honor a Top Scholar from each college and the Lake Campus. The program began in 1995 and is an award given to a graduating senior with a 3.6 GPA or higher. Honorees are selected by the Office of the Dean of their college and the Lake Campus. Recipients are presented with a certificate, and a book is purchased in their honor. The book becomes a permanent part of the University Libraries' collections and contains a bookplate with the student's name, college, major, and award year. 

From Top Left: Drew Guggenbiller, Elise Hubert, Rebecca Kurtz, Annabelle Trovillo, Arabella Partee, Kristofer (Kris) Nartker, Margaret (Maggie) Mann

The seven Top Scholar recipients for 2026 were: Drew Guggenbiller, Lake Campus -  Integrated Science; Elise Hubert, Boonshoft School of Medicine – Public Health; Rebecca Kurtz, College of Health, Education, and Human Service – Elementary Education P-5; Margaret (Maggie) Mann, College of Science and Mathematics - Chemistry; Kristofer (Kris) Nartker, Raj Soin College of Business - Marketing; Arabella Partee, College of Engineering and Computer Science - Electrical Engineering; and Annabelle Trovillo, College of Liberal Arts - English.

Each year, the Friends provide an annual staff grant award through income generated from memberships. A total of $2000 may be allocated for the FOL Board to select a project or projects based on proposals received from Libraries staff for projects and programs based on specific criteria. Funding is available on a fiscal year basis. For fiscal year 2026, Staff Grants were awarded to a variety of projects. University Administration received new shelving for Brain Games, Library Technology Services received an Accessibility Review, and the Special Collections and Archives designed custom engagement-focused T-shirts.

The book club, sponsored by the Friends of the Libraries, the WSU Alumni Association, and the WSU Retirees Association, kicked off the 2025-2026 academic year on September 16, 2025, with Help Wanted, by Adelle Waldman, which is about a group of retail workers navigating workplace relationships, ambitions, and the challenges of modern employment. The final selection each March is the winner of the Dayton Literary Peace Prize for Fiction. A summary of each title discussed this year is highlighted in an earlier Library and Archives News blog post. 

Throughout the academic year, the Friends continued to support a variety of student-focused events such as Crafternoons in the Library; Book Chats; Get Rowdy! BINGO night; pop-up challenges; Game Night; finals week treats; DeStress for Success activities and more.

The Friends closed the academic year with their annual business meeting and the Friends of the Libraries luncheon on April 15, 2025, featuring Wright State alumna,

educator, and author Emily Morgan. Emily shared her journey from Wright State into a career in science education and publishing, highlighting the important role libraries have played throughout her life.

At the annual business meeting, the Friends of the Libraries Board of Directors elected: Penny Profitt, President; Ellen Reinsch Friese, Vice President; Susan Richardson, Community Representative; Peggy Kelly, Faculty Representative; and Evan Mason, Treasurer. They also welcomed Alannah Culbreath as the Friends of the Library Student Representative.

The Friends said good-bye to outgoing members of the Board: Lynn Hartzler, Nicolyn Woodcock, and Emily Sands. We thank them for their dedicated service. And the Friends said a final farewell to former Treasurer Wetona (Toni) Walchner.

More about the Friends and information on how you can join us in supporting great causes like these can be found on the Friends of the Libraries webpage.