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Celebrating new faculty

Aiden Ryan
November 20, 2025

On Oct. 29, University Libraries and the Division of Research and Creative Activities hosted an event at Alden Library to welcome dedicated faculty professionals who support faculty research, scholarship and creative activities, wrote Dr. Kim Littlefield, associate vice president for Research Administration, in an email. The event welcomed new faculty and librarians who began working at the Libraries from August 2024 to the present.

“In addition to food and beverages, attendees had the opportunity to win great swag and to learn about resources that are available to enable research,” Littlefield wrote.

Khyathi Gadag, assistant professor of Social and Public Health with Jeff Shane, Southeast Asia and Humanities librarian
(From left) Khyathi Gadag Venkataramana, assistant professor in the Department of Social and Public Health, speaks with Jeffery Shane, Southeast Asia and humanities librarian.

Hanna Schmillen, assistant dean for Research and Education Services, celebrated the connections made between new faculty and support staff from the Division of Research and Creative Activity.

“With so many research-focused faculty joining Ohio University this year, we wanted them to know we’re here to support their scholarly journey,” Schmillen wrote in an email.

“It was energizing to meet new colleagues, share how the Libraries can support their work and reconnect with our partners in the Division of Research because when we stay connected, our faculty community thrives and so do we.”

The faculty social, held in the 1951 Lounge on the fourth floor of Alden Library, created a space for new faculty to discuss their work and meet new colleagues.

Check out some of the Libraries’ photos below from the evening.

Lincoln Howard, Student Support and Humanities Librarian with Ana Myers, assistant professor of Instruction
(From left) Lincoln Howard, a new student support and humanities librarian, chats with Ana Myers, assistant professor of instruction.
Bethany Spurrier, director of the Office of Sponsored Programs with Kim Littlefield of Research Administration
(From left) Bethany Spurrier, director of the Office of Sponsored Programs, and Kim Littlefield, associate vice president for Research Administration, pose for a photo at the new faculty social.
Brian Mershon, assistant Vice President of Research with Jon Brier, Data Services Librarian
(From left) Brian Mershon, special projects manager and assistant to the vice president for Research, and Jonathan Brier, data services librarian, enjoy a conversation in the 1951 Lounge on the fourth floor of Alden Library.
Alden Library Subject Librarians with maria Modayil, visiting professor of Social and Public Health
(From left) Araba Dawson-Andoh, outreach, orientation, African studies and social sciences librarian, Carla Williams, music and special projects librarian, and Maria Modayil, visiting professor in the department of Social and Public Health, gather at the social.

Photos by Presley Chen / Ohio University Libraries