10/20/00
Contact: Julia Zimmerman, 740.593.2705
Editors: A photo of Vernon Alden speaking at the press conference will be available on the Web at http://www.ohiou.edu/news/pix/ALDEN.JPGA headshot of Alden is at http://www.ohiou.edu/news/pix/ALDEN_VERN.JPG and a photo of Alden Library is at http://www.ohiou.edu/news/pix/ALDEN_LIBRARY.JPG
FORMER PRESIDENT ALDEN PLEDGES $5 MILLION TO OHIO UNIVERSITY LIBRARIES
ATHENS, Ohio -- Ohio University President Emeritus Vernon R. Alden announced today his commitment of $5 million to create the Marion Parson Alden Permanent Endowment for University Libraries.
Alden, who served from 1962 to 1969 as Ohio University’s 15th president, named the endowment after his late wife, who died in 1999.
“The years that my wife, Marion, and I spent at Ohio University were the most satisfying years of our lives, primarily because we were working together to enhance the quality and reputation of an already fine university,” said Alden, who lives in Brookline, Mass. “In making this pledge to establish the Marion Parson Alden Permanent Endowment for Alden Library, I wish to recognize Marion’s devotion and commitment to Ohio. I am also inspired and motivated by President Glidden’s outstanding leadership.”
Alden Library was dedicated in Vernon Alden’s name when it opened in February 1969 with some 500,000 volumes. It acquired its 1 millionth volume a late 13th century manuscript Bible in 1979 and its 2 millionth in 1995. The library belongs to the prestigious Association of Research Libraries, an elite organization consisting of the 111 largest research libraries in the United States and Canada, including libraries at Harvard and Yale and New York Public Library.
Alden’s gift will allow the library to continue to be an important resource for not only the campus and region but for students and researchers throughout the world, said Dean of University Libraries Julia Zimmerman. Alden Library had 1.1 million visitors last year. And for every 100 visitors who walk in the door, another 60 visit the library via the Web.
“Alden Library exists because of Vern Alden’s vision,” she said. “He’s been a wonderful friend and supporter of the libraries for many years. Everyone recognizes that libraries are in the midst of an astonishing era of change. This spectacular gift is going to propel the Ohio University Libraries into the 21st century at a level of excellence that, until now, we could only dream about.
“Because of Vern Alden’s generosity, we will have the opportunity to truly transform our facilities and services. We will create a model library, a superior environment for learning and research, that will make important contributions to the overall greatness of Ohio University.”
Already at the forefront of technology, the library offers electronic information sources that can be accessed through the Internet, including 5,000 e-journals and 20,000 e-books. Last year, a total of 684,294 Web sessions were initiated with the library, and 500 reference questions were answered via e-mail. Library officials would like to make more resources available electronically, including government documents and materials from the Southeast Asia Collection, and create a digital music library, a multimedia/audiovisual lab for faculty and an information delivery center on the second floor that will combine five high-demand service points.
Alden, a graduate of Brown and Harvard universities, came to Ohio University at age 38 from his position of associate dean at Harvard Business School. His administration saw a doubling of enrollment and faculty and a great expansion of campus infrastructure. Under his leadership, there was a significant increase in research activities, a broadening of academic programs and growth of the university’s role in regional development and international programs. He currently is honorary consul general for the Royal Thai Consulate in Boston for the Kingdom of Thailand and chairman of the Japan Society of Boston.
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