By: Josette M. Kubicki, Aspasia Luster, Jennifer Davis, and Courtney Berge
This article has been adapted from AU Libraries’ blog post.
The Augusta University (AU) Libraries was excited to host its inaugural AU Authors Reception last November, held in collaboration with Augusta University’s CURS (Center for Undergraduate Research and Scholarship) and The Graduate School.
Over the past decade, the University Libraries have held an annual “AU Faculty Authors Reception” to recognize faculty who published a book, chapter, poem, illustration, creative work within a book, or who created or performed a creative work within that past year. Creative works could include albums, art exhibits, music performances, plays, compositions, recordings, computer software, or applications.
By collaborating with CURS and The Graduate School, the Libraries expanded the scope of recognition to honor AU staff and students, who could also submit journal articles.
Faculty and staff were invited to submit details about the work/s they published or created via an online form. CURS and The Graduate School identified and encouraged student authors to submit. Submissions were evaluated to ensure they met the criteria, and a bibliography was compiled. Meanwhile, the event planning began, involving much organization and many hands.
The dedication of the AU Authors Reception Committee came to fruition on a cool Thursday evening on November 2. Nearly 60 students, staff, and faculty gathered in the Robert B. Greenblatt, M.D. Library. Following a warm welcoming and opening remarks from the dean of libraries, the AU president, and the chair of the faculty senate were presentations from selected authors.
Dr. Gokila Dorai, from Computer & Cyber Sciences, discussed the findings of a study she spearheaded in a chapter entitled “Forensic Analysis of the Snapchat iOS App with Spectacles-Synced Artifacts.” In a nutshell, can evidence be collected from Snapchat’s Spectacles devices paired with Apple iPhones, unlike the Snapchat app, due to its vanishing nature of the media? Yes, it can!
Professor Dylan Wilson, from Communication, shared samplings of his photojournalism and the stories behind them, published in well-known news outlets, including The New York Times and The New York Post. Many were curious about his experience at the Murdaugh auction, and he showed photos in this Daily Mail article.
Mr. Melvin Hilson, our inaugural undergraduate student speaker, spoke on the study he led: “Mentor Science Identities and their Influence on Student Relationships with Science.” The qualitative study investigated how undergraduates developed their science identities while mentoring K-12 students for their science projects and sharing these identities with students to enhance learning in science education and STEM programming.
Then it was time for mingling and delicious food! Attendees enjoyed meeting other authors acknowledged in the 2023 Bibliography and checking out the works on display published by this year’s and previous years’ authors.
The Libraries enjoyed celebrating their colleagues’ authorship: Thomas Weeks, Josette Kubicki, Rod Bustos, and Dr. Melissa Johnson, for their chapter, “X, Y, Zzzz: Generational Differences in Academic Librarian Burnout” in the ACRL’s Academic Librarian Burnout.
We thank the AU Authors Reception Committee members: Jennifer Davis, Courtney Berge, Aspasia Luster, Maranda Christy, Renée Sharrock, Dr. Melissa Johnson, Dr. Jennifer Sullivan, Dr. Julia Davis, and Dr. Alex St. Louis.
To learn more about Augusta University Libraries, go to https://www.augusta.edu/library/.