Watson Davis Award
Emil Levine has been named the recipient of the 2017 Watson Davis Award. The purpose of this award is to recognize an individual member of the Association who has shown continuous dedicated service to the membership through active participation in and support of ASIS&T programs, chapters, SIGs, committees, and publications. The award was established in 1975 and commemorates the founder of the association.
Emil Levine has dedicated several decades to ASIS&T. He has been a member of the Board of Directors, Chair of the European Chapter, various SIGs, and a member of various committees. He has served on the editorial advisory board of the ASIS&T Bulletin and is currently advisor to the European Chapter, European Student Chapter and Asia-Pacific Chapter.
One of the outcomes of Emil’s work with students was the launching of the European Student Chapter, which, in 2008, won the Best Student Chapter Award soon after its establishment. Many of students continued to contribute to the European Chapter after graduating, with the Chapter winning Chapter of the Year in 2012, 2013 and 2016 – all owing largely to the huge support and advice over the years by Emil.
Emil Levine’s role in launching the Asia-Pacific Chapter was enormous. He promoted ASIS&T in Asia and Europe and recruited many students. The jury notes that today’s strong European as well as growing Asian-Pacific community would not exist without him, and he keeps going on although is he retired.
During the Libraries in the Digital Age conferences in Croatia, he initiated a series of talks by ASIS&T presidents (past, current and elected) with students and professionals from at least a dozen European countries. All ASIS&T sessions provided an opportunity to strengthen and increase membership, and to expand and strengthen programs and services at the local/regional level.
When it comes to community, networking and real service to the ASIS&T members, Emil Levine is truly outstanding. A letter says, “ASIS&T is fortunate to have Emil working for the community in the background, out of the limelight, but faithfully, patiently, selflessly, tirelessly year in year out, even as presidents and members come and go.”