What’s News This Week
“I wonder if the snow loves the trees and fields, that it kisses them so gently? And then it covers them up snug, you know, with a white quilt; and perhaps it says, “Go to sleep, darlings, till the summer comes again.”
― Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland / Through the Looking-Glass
Webinar: How Academic Libraries and Related Units Can Lead and Shape AI Initiatives Responsibly and Proactively
Clemson Libraries is hosting a webinar on the role of academic libraries in the adoption of AI in higher education with Crystal Ramsay, Senior Director of Teaching and Learning with Technology for Penn State University Libraries. “How Academic Libraries and Related Units Can Lead and Shape AI Initiatives Responsibly and Proactively” will be held on Zoom Thursday, December 11, at 10:30 a.m. Join here.
Ramsay will share how she has worked both outside of, and now within, University Libraries to build AI capacity — not as a series of tools and trainings, but as part of a coordinated institutional strategy. Drawing on her role as a tri-chair of Penn State’s AI Coordinating Council, she will highlight the structures, relationships, and power dynamics that matter most right now. Participants will explore how to marry the transactional (training, tooling, guidance) with the transformational (rethinking learning, equity, and access) so that AI becomes a catalyst for deeper educational impact rather than just another technology to implement.
In her role at Penn State, Ramsay champions innovation and creativity by advancing cutting-edge technologies and forward-thinking strategies. She leads her department’s initiatives in collaboration with all Penn State colleges, campuses, and administrative units, ensuring the delivery of meaningful, future-ready educational experiences for faculty and students that support Penn State’s strategic goals of academic excellence, innovation, and access.
With more than 30 years of experience in education, Ramsay bridges imagination and implementation, guiding efforts to modernize learning environments, foster evidence-based teaching practices, and explore the potential of emerging technologies to shape the future of higher education. In addition to her leadership role, Ramsay is an affiliate faculty member in the College of Education and a member of the graduate faculty. Her research interests include emerging educational technologies, faculty development, flexible learning space.
–Angela Nixon
Saying Goodbye to Chris Vidas
From a 12/1/25 email from Ariel Turner
Dear colleagues,
I am simultaneously immensely proud yet sad to share that Chris Vidas has accepted the position of Assistant Dean for Content and Access at Ohio University. His last day with Clemson Libraries will be January 30, 2026.
I have been fortunate to work closely with Chris throughout my time here at Clemson. He is kind, hardworking, and thoughtful. His many years of eresources experience and relationship-building in the region have served us incredibly well as we’ve negotiated various deals with vendors and consortia over the years. In his day-to-day work he has ensured that our community can access the electronic resources they need and has saved us thousands of dollars through negotiations. He has served as a compassionate and collaborative leader who genuinely cares for his colleagues and advocates for his team, and his consistently positive attitude and good humor have helped us weather many challenges over the years.
Chris, I know that you will be a phenomenal Assistant Dean and I could not be happier for you as you move into this next phase of your career. Congratulations, and please keep in touch!
Please join me in congratulating Chris and wishing him well.
All the best,
Ariel
Holiday Lunch
Please RSVP if you haven’t already.
Sign up to bring a side or dessert.
Sign up to create an ornament with Joni.
After lunch, we will have at least three fun activities that you can choose to participate in if you wish.
1. Van Hope will be the Holiday Trivia Master and host a trivia competition! Everyone who participates will join a small group and complete against other groups to see which group will hold the title of Trivia Team of the Year! Be thinking of fun names for your groups and brushing up on your general trivia.
2. Joni Addis will host holiday ornament crafting. Join Joni to create a lovely holiday ornament that starts as a book and turns into a snowflake! Joni will provide the instruction and the supplies. This event is limited to 10 crafters. The sign-up sheet has a photo of the ornament you will be creating.
3. Cath Bruhnke will be hosting a holiday photo booth. Come have your photo taken alone or with your colleagues! You’ll get a photo sticker to keep, and you can add emojis from the iPad app if you’d like.
We can’t wait to see you there!
–Kellie Marlatt
Happy Birthday to You!
Renna Redd 12/2
Lee Tessnear 12/3
Laura Wells 12/3
Lori Bryant 12/8
Janet McNeil 12/10
Angela Nixon 12/11
Bobby Hollandsworth 12/14
Teresa McCoy 12/19
Chris Morris 12/18
Otis Pickett 12/20
Joe Bradford 12/21
Kirstin O’Keefe 12/23
Fredda Owens 12/24
Mairead Downes 12/24
Doreen Dixon 12/26
Look at who is having a birthday this month! Happy Birthday to all our December-born colleagues. Who knew there were so many of you! Celebrate all month long! We wish you a wonderful birthday!
Celebrating a Work Anniversary!
Amal Mostafa 1 2 / 1 6 / 2 0 2 4 – 1 Y E A R
Lynn Dingle 1 2 / 0 5 / 2 0 2 2 –3 Y E A R S
Leigh Ward 1 2 / 0 1 / 2 0 2 1 – 4 Y E A R S
Janet McNeil 1 2 / 1 7 / 2 0 1 9 – 6 Y E A R S
Chris Vidas 1 2 / 0 1 / 2 0 1 8 – 7 Y E A R S
We are proud to recognize and celebrate the dedicated service of our colleagues who have reached milestones in their Clemson University Libraries careers.
Please note that these announcements going forward reflect Libraries service time only. The University formally acknowledges total state service through the distribution of pins and certificates. Individuals in the South Carolina Retirement System (SCRS) who have questions about their service time toward retirement should reference their Member Access account. Those enrolled in an Optional Retirement Program (ORP) should consult their selected vendor for retirement information.
Please be aware that calculating total University service time involves individualized research and may include factors such as temporary versus full-time status, student employment, and other considerations. For these reasons, we are focusing our recognition on Libraries-specific service time.
Thank you so much for all the talent and expertise that you bring to the Libraries! We appreciate all you do!
We’re a Captive Audience
Share your updates, news, and items of interest with your colleagues!
See you next week!