L.E. "Dean" Stringer wins 2004 Edna Mae Phelps Award

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Story originally ran in Perspectives Spring 2005

Friends of the OSU Library President, L.E. "Dean" Stringer received the eleventh annual Edna Mae Phelps Award. Stringer was honored at the recent H. Louise & H.E. "Ed" Cobb Speaker Series presented by the Friends of the OSU Library. Dean of Libraries, Sheila Grant Johnson, presented the award.

Former Dean of Libraries and 2003 Phelps Award winner, Edward R. Johnson, nominated Stringer. Sheila Johnson read from the nomination letter, "Dean has proved to be a truly outstanding President of the Friends. He has been an excellent leader and a truly eloquent spokesman for the Library. Dean has always been a wise adviser and a source of excellent ideas for fund-raising. His sage counsel and unwavering support were key ingredients in the Library’s success with its 50th anniversary celebration."

"I could go on and on but I hope I have made the point that Dean Stringer's many and lasting contributions to the OSU Library deserve recognition with the Edna Mae Phelps Award. Dean Stringer is a staunch friend of the Library and I know my dear friend Edna Mae would have heartily seconded my nomination."

The Edna Mae Phelps Award was established in 1994 to honor founder and first President of the Friends of the OSU Library Edna Mae Phelps of Seminole. Nominations are collected throughout the year. For information on the award and how to nominate someone see or call (405) 744-7331.

Stringers First to Name New Study Room

Story originally ran in Perspectives Spring 2006

Long-time Library supporters, Dean and Carol Stringer are the first donors to endow one of the new group study rooms on the first floor of the Edmon Low Library. The room will be dedicated in the spring and bear the couple’s name.

Dean Stringer, President of the Friends of the OSU Library, said “Carol and I are pleased to make this gift. The study rooms improve the OSU Library and should be of particular benefit to students. What a perfect cause!”

Until recently, only two small meeting rooms were available in the Library. The Jessie Thatcher Bost Room was built in 1990, and the H. Louise Cobb Room was completed five years later. Part of the OSU Library strategic plan is to create more collaborative workspaces. A step toward this goal was taken when work was completed on the three existing group study rooms in the summer of 2004. Four more rooms are slated for construction this year.

Sheila Grant Johnson, Dean of Libraries, said, “More and more students are working in collaborative groups of their own making. This enables them to engage more strongly and often more adventurously with their coursework. These spaces provide an ideal setting for students working on group projects.”

The Library is seeking endowed funds, like the one established by the Stringers to furnish, maintain, and update technology in each of the rooms. A gift of $50,000 will name one of rooms; donors may select from available rooms which will bear their name.

Endowments are key to the Library’s long-term financial strategy. These funds are invested; a percentage of the interest is spent annually, and the remaining interest is reinvested. This allows the endowment to continue growing and providing increasing support over time. Endowments may be established through pledges paid out in increments, but must be fully funded within five years.

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