iSchool News
Assistant Professor Sherry Koshman, 1964-2011
May 9, 2011
The faculty, staff and students at the iSchool are saddened at the death of Sherry Koshman, Assistant Professor, who passed away on May 1, 2011. Dr. Koshman joined the faculty of the School in 2005 after serving as a Visiting Lecturer. In addition, she had earned her PhD here at the iSchool in 1997. Dr. Koshman also worked as an information retrieval and software testing consultant for quality assurance and large-scale product implementation projects in the telecommunications and health insurance industries for several years. Her research interests included information visualization systems usability testing, web retrieval and search analysis, visualization interface development, and human-computer interaction. Her teaching interests covered Web information retrieval, information visualization, information architecture, digital library services, information technology foundations, and user-focused system design.
Dr. Koshman’s obituary in the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
Dr. Koshman’s obituary in the Tribune-Review
A blog developed by Dr. Koshman’s PhD Students at the iSchool. Please feel free to add your remembrances here.
New Director of Business Administration at iSchool
August 24, 2010
Sandra Brandon has joined the School of Information Sciences as the School’s first Director of Administration. Most recently, Ms. Brandon served as the Chief Information Officer for Crayola LLC in Easton, PA. Prior to her work at Crayola, she held positions as director of information technology for General Nutrition Corporation (GNC), director of telecommunications for PNC Financial Services Group, and operations coordinator for Westinghouse Communications Systems. In her new capacity as the iSchool’s Chief of Staff, she will be responsible for planning and oversight of all administrative functions, including business services, student services, faculty services, and information technology.
Toni Carbo Honored!
On Friday, April 17th, the iSchool hosted a Tea Reception and Champagne Toast in honor of Dr. Toni Carbo’s retirement. iSchool faculty, staff and guests gathered at the University Club to celebrate Dr. Carbo’s distinguished career and to recognize her many contributions to the School, the University, and the professions. James V. Maher, Provost, presented the University of Pittsburgh’s Emeritus Certificate to Dr. Carbo. Dean Larsen, Professor Michael Spring, and Professor Emerita Maggie Kimmel offered tributes as well.
June 8, 2009
Wesley Lipschultz, Manager of Student Services here at the iSchool, has been selected to receive the 2009 Service to Commission Award presented by the National Academic Advising Association’s (NACADA) Technology in Advising Commission. The award recognizes those individuals who have provided outstanding service, leadership, and commitment to a particular Commission. The NACADA Technology Advising Commission helps academic advisors and advising administrators to understand the impact that technologies (such as online registration and student information systems) have on academic advising; to use technology effectively in their work; and, to appreciate the appropriate uses of technology in higher education. Wes will be formally honored with this award at the Commission’s annual meeting in October, to be held in San Antonio, Texas.
Google Book Settlement Agreement
Judith Krug, 1940-2009
Judith Krug, head of the American Library Association’s (ALA) Office for Intellectual Freedom and founder of Banned Books Week, died April 11th of cancer in Chicago. Dr. Krug was an alumna of the University of Pittsburgh’s School of Arts and Sciences and a supporter of the iSchool. Dr. Krug’s obituary in Library Journal was posted here.