As Valerie Parry’s Years of Dedicated Service Come to a Close, Mary Roby
Chosen as New Dean
Boiling Springs, NC- Gardner-Webb University is pleased to announce that Mary Roby, associate dean of Libraries has been appointed as the new Dean of Libraries.
Valerie Parry, the current Dean of Libraries will be retiring in the end of November after working for over 24 years at GWU and 20 years as the Dean of Libraries. “I hope that I have made at least a little difference here,” said Parry. “Twenty-four years has gone too quickly, but I am leaving the Library in wonderful hands, and I am sure that it will continue to grow and improve. I feel that my greatest accomplishments have been gathering good people around me to staff the library, enhancing our services to the Gardner-Webb Community and overseeing the automation of library.”
Roby, who will be assuming the position on December 1, has worked at GWU for seven years. She received her bachelor’s degree of Music from Union University in Jackson, Tenn., and earned a Master of Library Science degree from the University of Alabama.
“It is a great honor to know that the administration and faculty of Gardner-Webb have entrusted me with the future of the library. I am excited and humbled by the prospect of leading the library in my new position,” said Roby.
As the new Dean of Libraries, Roby hopes to continue to
• Raise the academic profile of the library at GWU
• Make the library the center of teaching and learning for students and faculty
• Present a warm and welcoming atmosphere as students and faculty walk through the front door
• Partner with classroom faculty as we teach information literacy skills to our students
• Acquire the best print, non-print and digital resources based on our curricular needs
• Recruit and hire new library faculty and staff who reflect Gardner-Webb’s mission and our library vision
• Be in constant communication with the faculty and administration regarding new ideas for providing resources and services to our faculty and students
Located in Boiling Springs, NC, Gardner-Webb University was founded in 1905 and is home to nearly 4000 students from 39 states and 21 foreign countries. Gardner- Webb University provides exceptional educational opportunities within a Christian environment.
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