Presentation Remarks
Theresa M. Fredericka, INFOhio Executive Director
OELMA Awards Luncheon, October 24, 2009

Hugh Durbin was a mentor and friend to a generation of library media specialists across Ohio. He served for 19 years as the Director of Library Media Services for the Columbus Public Schools and was President of OELMA in 1978. The INFOhio Hugh Durbin Leadership Award celebrates the memory of Hugh’s vision, leadership and dedication to our profession by recognizing a licensed school library media specialist who has demonstrated outstanding leadership in the use of INFOhio provided resources to meet the needs of students and teachers.

Brenda Gehm has reached that high standard. Brenda is the Director of Library Services for Monroe Local Schools in Southwest Ohio’s Butler County and serves her district as media specialist for Monroe Junior/Senior High School. If those roles weren’t daunting enough, Brenda is one of the original SchoolRooms contributors, served on the SchoolRooms maintenance team for four years, and has served on the INFOhio Users Council as the SWOCA representative.

Angie Stitzel, INFOhio Liaison at the SouthWest Ohio Computer Association, praises Brenda in her nomination for this award. “I have known Brenda for several years and witnessed her great capacity for leadership at all levels. She is a great supporter of INFOhio, using the INFOhio resources to demonstrate 21st century learning skills to her students while encouraging them to read for pleasure.”

Brenda has been an educator for 33 years. She earned a bachelor's degree in elementary education and library science from Eastern Kentucky University and a master's in educational administration from Xavier University. Among her other awards, Brenda was selected the Middletown Teacher of the Year in 1999 and received the OELMA Emerging Leader Award for 2009.

As these brief remarks demonstrate, Hugh Durbin’s dedication to our profession lives on in our state. Please join with me in welcoming our 2009 INFOhio Hugh Durbin Leadership Award winner, Brenda Gehm.

In times of difficulty and uncertainty, the themes of leadership and service endure. I am confident in our future and in the futures of the millions of students and educators we serve, now and in many years to come. This confidence derives not from a crystal ball or inside information from an anonymous source. My confidence is founded in the works of those who have come before, as represented by Spence White and Hugh Durbin, exemplified by those in this room and those who remain in their libraries across our state. Most of all, my confidence anticipates the work yet unachieved, the leaders not yet identified or even born. In spite of everything, I see a bright future for our profession and those we serve. Thank you!