James F. Govan, who had been the University librarian and a professor of library science since arriving in 1973, retired in December 1992.
The award citation said Govan’s “determination to do a worthwhile and lasting service” and “keenly intelligent vision” explained his success in planning new, renovated and expanded library facilities, building collections, doubling holdings, incorporating new technology, recruiting a superior staff, and creating an endowment when state support was declining. The citation praised his “statesmanship and stalwart leadership in the enterprise which is at the intellectual heart of this place.”