by Zach Miller
Quick Summary
Wendy Pradt Lougee has retired from her post as the University of Minnesota's Dean of Libraries. She was celebrated by her staff at an event on February 24 and succeeded by Lisa German effective February 28.
The University of Minnesota Libraries celebrated Wendy Pradt Lougee's career on February 24 with an event at the Hubert H. Humphrey School of Public Affairs. The event began with a video tribute featuring testimonials from leaders from the national library community and the University of Minnesota. The program even included an epic poem modeled on "The Odyssey," written and performed by Betsy Friesen.
John Butler, Associate University Librarian for Data & Technology, praised Lougee as a "Research library pioneer for our times" who challenged her staff to "be [their] best and to be recognized as the best." In 2017, the University of Minnesota Libraries became just the third academic library to be awarded the the National Medal for Museum and Library Service by IMLS.
Lougee's tenure at the Univerisity of Minnesota began in 2002, as did her consistent support for Minitex and its mission. Lisa German succeeded Lougee as Dean of Libraries on February 28.
