In a celebration of literature, biodiversity, and Texas’ natural beauty, the Libraries hosted a literary salon in Houston on Monday, February 24, featuring acclaimed author and UT Austin professor David M. Hillis. The event, generously hosted by Tom and Reggie Nichols—former Libraries Advisory Council members and proud UT alumni—highlighted UT Libraries’ role in supporting critical research and advancing fundraising initiatives.
L-R: Tom and Reggie Nichols, Lorraine Haricombe, Claire Burrows.
The evening centered around Hillis’ latest book, Armadillos to Ziziphus: A Naturalist in the Texas Hill Country, a deeply personal and scientifically rich exploration of the Hill Country’s diverse landscapes. Guests received copies of the book and were treated to a special reading of the chapter The Last Wild River, in which Hillis wove together the history of the Lower Pecos River with his own experiences.
Vice Provost Lorraine Haricombe welcomed attendees and invited them to browse a curated selection of materials from the Life Science Library, showcasing works on Texas’ biodiversity and environmental history.
Hillis, who serves as director of the Biodiversity Center at UT Austin’s College of Natural Sciences, is renowned for his contributions to evolutionary biology. A MacArthur Fellow and member of the U.S. National Academy of Sciences, he has discovered numerous species, including Austin’s iconic Barton Springs Salamander. His book reflects his lifelong passion for conservation, encapsulated in his belief:
“The more we understand and experience nature, the more of it we will appreciate, and the more we will seek to protect it for future generations to enjoy.”
The evening reinforced the Libraries’ commitment to fostering intellectual engagement while celebrating the invaluable research and scholarship at The University of Texas at Austin.
The University of Texas Libraries is happy to announce the establishment of the Lorraine J. Haricombe Distinguished Lecture Fund, adding to the transformative legacy of Vice Provost and Director Lorraine J. Haricombe, who will retire later this year. This parting generosity is emblematic of a leader who has exemplified the values of curiosity, diversity, and community engagement throughout her extraordinary tenure.
The Distinguished Lecture Fund will support an annual speaker series, bringing renowned experts to campus to inspire critical thinking, enrich dialogue, and showcase the breadth of UT Libraries’ resources. Funds distributed from the endowment will provide programming support, including speaker stipends, travel expenses, event logistics, and other related costs.
This initiative reflects Lorraine Haricombe’s vision for fostering intellectual exploration and building connections across disciplines. Her commitment to innovation and education will continue through this fund to uplift students, faculty, and the broader Austin community for years to come.
A contribution to the Lorraine J. Haricombe Distinguished Lecture Fund ensures that her legacy of inspiration lives on, creating opportunities for impactful conversations and the exchange of ideas well into the future.
As the calendar readies its turn toward a new year, it’s the perfect moment to reflect on the causes that inspire us—those that ignite curiosity, foster innovation, and unite communities. The University of Texas Libraries stand as a pillar of these values, shaping lives and driving academic excellence.
Your year-end gift to the Libraries is more than a donation; it’s a profound investment in education, discovery, and the transformative power of knowledge. Contributions help sustain vital resources, from state-of-the-art technology to groundbreaking collections, ensuring students and scholars can achieve their potential.
Why Give? Giving is more than generosity; it’s about creating meaningful impact. A tax-deductible year-end gift to UT Libraries aligns your philanthropic vision with your financial goals while making a lasting difference.
This year, there’s a unique opportunity to honor a leader who has exemplified these values. As UT Libraries prepares for the retirement of Director Lorraine J. Haricombe in 2025, we celebrate her extraordinary legacy with the creation of the Lorraine J. Haricombe Distinguished Lecture Fund.
A Legacy of Inspiration The Distinguished Lecture Fund will support an annual speaker series, bringing renowned experts to campus to inspire critical thinking, enrich dialogue, and showcase the breadth of UT Libraries’ resources. This enduring initiative reflects Lorraine Haricombe’s commitment to curiosity, diversity, and community engagement.
Your contribution to this fund ensures that her vision continues to uplift students, faculty, and the broader Austin community for years to come.
Be Part of Something Bigger Join us in supporting a legacy of learning and discovery. Whether you’re reflecting on the libraries’ impact on your life or investing in a brighter future for others, your year-end gift can help UT Libraries thrive.
Visit the UT Libraries Giving Page to make your contribution today. Together, we can honor a visionary leader and champion a future where knowledge knows no bounds.
On September 26, the Fall 2024 gathering of the University of Texas Libraries Advisory Council brought together library advocates for a day of engaging discussions, presentations and tours. The council, along with the iSchool Advisory Council, convened to hear updates, set goals, and strengthen connections within the library community.
The day began with a joint lunch that included Interim Dean Dr. Soo Young Rieh from the School of Information, followed by an afternoon session focused on updates from the Libraries. Lorraine J. Haricombe, Vice Provost and Director of UT Libraries, delivered a state of the library address, followed by a development report from Claire Burrows, Director of Development. The development report shared that the Libraries are closing in on their $12 million capital campaign goal, with a current total of $10.36 million raised and an additional $2 million goal for FY25. It also highlighted areas of need, such as Open Educational Resources (OER), fellowships and endowed positions.
Assistant Director of Research Support & Digital Innovation Allyssa Guzman joined the Libraries’ Resident Librarians – Cristina Berron, Elizabeth Garza, and Ana Rico – who shared their experiences and the goals of the Libraries’ Residency Program, established as a career pipeline for early-career librarians and archivists. The council learned about the program and were introduced to the newly established Artaza Castañeda Family Librarian Residency Professional Development Fund, which supports the residents in their career development.
Council members were given a tour of the recently renovated 4th and 5th floors of the Perry-Castañeda Library (PCL). The day concluded with a reconvening of the Libraries’ and iSchool Councils at a social event, facilitating rich conversations about the evolving role of libraries, the library profession and, of course, books.
The Advisory Council’s primary mission is to advocate for UT Libraries by raising awareness of its impact, supporting fundraisers and generating charitable contributions. The meeting also included discussions about upcoming events, including a presentation by former Chilean President Michelle Bachelet at the Benson Collection (scheduled for October 16).
The success of the day was made possible by the contributions of the Libraries staff, whose planning and support efforts ensured a worthwhile and impactful experience for all who attended.
This summer, two new endowments were established to support scholars working with the Benson Latin American Collection, strengthening research into Latin American, Latina/o, and Mexican American history.
The María Lugones Research Fund, created in memory of María Cristina Lugones—an Argentine feminist philosopher, activist, and professor—was established by her colleague, Professor Joshua Price. The fund will provide support for projects related to Latin America, Latina/os in the U.S., and the Black diaspora in the Americas. Eligible recipients include PhD students, activists, and established scholars from around the world, with priority given to those utilizing the María Lugones papers.
Additionally, the Montejano Benson Collection Research Award was created by Dr. David Montejano and Veronica Montejano to support visiting researchers focusing on Mexican American history. Dr. Montejano, reflecting on his own experiences at the Benson, said, “Over the past forty years, I have enjoyed countless days at the Benson doing research. I could not have written my trilogy on Texas history and politics without the Benson. With this modest endowment, I wish to encourage continued research into Mexican American and Latino history.”
Both endowments will receive matching funds from the Ann Hartness Benson Collection Matching Fund, further expanding their impact. These funds are expected to be accessible soon, depending on payment schedules and investment outcomes.
We eagerly anticipate the meaningful research these new funds will make possible.
To contribute to either endowment, please contact Libraries’ Development Officer Claire Burrows, claire.burrows@austin.utexas.edu.
Over the past four years, the A. Keith Brodkin Endowment for American History has played a pivotal role in expanding the University of Texas Libraries’ collections focused on the American West. Managed by U.S. Studies Librarian Adriana Cásarez, the endowment has allowed for the acquisition of 240 new books, significantly enhancing the library’s resources in this area of American history.
“We have been able to develop a collection that not only reflects traditional narratives about the American West but also includes works offering a nuanced understanding of the region’s complex histories,” said Cásarez. The acquisitions, ranging from rare texts to more accessible volumes, fill critical gaps and support a wide array of research, teaching, and public engagement.
Cásarez emphasized that primary source collections, such as letters and diaries, have been a particular focus of the acquisition strategy. These resources provide invaluable insights into the lived experiences of people in the American West and are essential for scholars studying the socio-political and cultural dynamics of the region.
“The Brodkin Endowment has elevated our collection to a new standard of excellence. Researchers now have access to firsthand accounts that deepen their understanding of this region’s history,” Cásarez added.
The endowment’s impact extends beyond expanding the library’s holdings. It has also created unique educational opportunities for students. This year, Cásarez supervised Ana Rico – a student in UT’s School of Information on a career track to become a future librarian – who took on the task of researching potential resources for the collection and reviewing our holdings of the Western Historical Association’s book award winners from the past two decades. This initiative led to the acquisition of books that align the library’s collection with contemporary academic discussions on the American West, particularly in the fields of Native American and U.S. Latine histories.
Rico’s efforts culminated in a visually compelling book display – “Expanding the American West” – that attracted attention across the campus community, showcasing underrepresented aspects of the American West, and highlighting experiences of Indigenous, Black and people of color. Rico recently joined the Libraries as resident librarian in the Libraries’ Residency Program and hopes to build off of her capstone experience in her residency.
The Brodkin Endowment also helped make historically significant texts more accessible to students and the public. For instance, the library acquired circulating copies of select items from the Briscoe Center for American History’s Texas History collection, allowing students and researchers easier access to key resources that had previously been restricted to the physical archives of the Briscoe.
Looking ahead, Cásarez expressed her excitement about future collaborations with faculty members. She noted a potential partnership with a faculty member exploring the contemporary resurgence of interest in Black cowboys in the West.
“This project showcases the type of innovative scholarship the Brodkin Endowment supports, bridging academic research with public engagement,” Cásarez said.
An intimate ceremony on April 29 marked the dedication of the Alberto Herrera Fernández Photograph Collection at the Benson Latin American Collection, honoring the life and work of the renowned Mexican photographer. The event, attended by family members, scholars and esteemed guests, served as a recognition of Herrera Fernandez’s impact in capturing the life and culture of Sonora, Mexico through his lens.
The event was largely organized by Blanca Cummins, daughter of Alberto Herrera Fernández and a current Tower Fellow, whose commitment to preserving her father’s legacy was evident throughout the event. Former state historian of Texas – and Cummins’ brother-in-law – Light Cummins described the significance of Herrera Fernández’s photographic legacy and provided historical context for the photographer’s work.
The Alberto Herrera Fernández Photograph Collection, carefully maintained by Cummins’ sister until its transfer to the university, showcases not only the rugged beauty of the Sonoran Desert but also provides a glimpse into the lives of vaqueros and copper miners in Cananea, Sonora. Herrera Fernández’s lens documented the essence of artistic communities, daily life, religious leaders and governmental figures, painting a vivid portrait of the region.
The bulk of the collection is comprised of 60,000 photographic slides, prints, and negatives (~23 Linear feet). In addition to the photographic materials, the collection boasts a selection of ephemera, including exhibition write-ups, interviews, recognitions, and correspondence, offering invaluable insights into Herrera Fernández’s enduring legacy as a photographer. The breadth and depth of Herrera Fernández’s work provide a unique perspective on Sonora, filling a critical gap in the Benson’s holdings.
The dedication ceremony also recognized Blanca Cummins’s tireless efforts in digitizing selected images from the collection. Working diligently in the rare books reading room for months, Cummins meticulously preserved the original order of her father’s archive, ensuring its integrity and accessibility for future generations.
Megan Frisque, Director of the Tower Fellows program, also spoke to the value of the Fellows program, recognizing Cummins as an example of the sort of impact that the participants can have through its access to a world-class lifelong learning experience.
It was a great year for the Libraries’ 40 Hours for the Forty Acres giving campaign. This year’s efforts centered around sustaining the Map & Geospatial Collections Explorer Fellowship – a vital initiative aimed at fostering innovative scholarship and leveraging the rich resources housed within the UT Libraries’ map and geospatial collections – and an endowment for the Digital Scholarship Program administered by the Benson Latin American Collection and the Lozano Long Institute of Latin American Studies.
The 40 Hours for the Forty Acres serves as a rallying point for the university community, bringing together alumni, students, faculty, staff, parents, and friends in a collective effort to bolster initiatives that resonate with their interests and goals for UT.
This year’s campaign resulted in nearly $30,000 raised in support of the Map & Geospatial Collections Explorer Fellowship, which has been instrumental in advancing research and facilitating academic exploration. These funds will play a pivotal role in sustaining and expanding the scope of the award, ensuring that it continues to serve as a catalyst for groundbreaking research and scholarly inquiry.
Since its inception, the Map & Geospatial Collections Explorer Fellowship has provided invaluable support to UT scholars, offering financial assistance and resources to support their explorations into diverse fields. Through the Fellowship, recipients have been empowered to delve into projects ranging from mapping rising sea levels on the Texas coast to creating artistic spatial visualizations of biodiversity in Hawaii. The impact of these projects extends far beyond the university campus, contributing to advancements in various disciplines and enriching our collective understanding of the world.
The second campaign raised just over $20,000 towards the creation of an endowment for the Digital Scholarship Program administered by the Benson Latin American Collection and the Lozano Long Institute of Latin American Studies. The LLILAS Benson Digital Scholarship Program aims to advance Latin American Studies through the ethical application of digital tools in the realm of translation, accessibility, language preservation, and more. The funds raised during this campaign get LLILAS Benson one giant step closer to funding their Digital Scholarship Program in perpetuity, through the creation of an endowed fund.
The Libraries extends its sincerest thanks to all who contributed to the success of this year’s campaign. Your generosity has not only provided vital support for the Map & Geospatial Collections Explorer Fellowship and the Digital Scholarship Program, but has also reaffirmed the importance of investing in initiatives that advance knowledge and scholarship.
These annual campaigns continue to bring exciting, crowd-funded support to the UT Libraries and its various endeavors, collections, and programs. We look forward to sharing the successes of the programs supported during this year’s 40 Hours for the Forty Acres.
To make an additional contribution to either of the campaign efforts, visit:
Art historian Dr. Virginia E. Miller, a UT Austin alumna, has generously included support for LLILAS Benson in her estate. The bequest designates the creation of two program endowments: Virginia E. Miller Endowed Excellence Fund in Latin American Art Studies, to support the study of Latin American Art via LLILAS, and Virginia E. Miller Endowed Excellence Fund for the Benson Library, to support any function of the Benson Latin American Collection.
Dr. Miller completed her master’s in Latin American Studies from LLILAS (at the time, ILAS) in 1973, and earned her doctorate in Art History, also from UT, in 1981. An art historian who specializes in ancient Maya art, she is Associate Professor Emerita of Pre-Columbian and Native American Art in the Department of Art History at the University of Illinois, Chicago. Recently, Dr. Miller spoke to LLILAS Benson Communications Coordinator Susanna Sharpe, explaining how a young woman born in London, Ontario, Canada, made her way to Austin, Texas, to study Latin America.
Photo courtesy Virginia Miller
“I was a French major [in college], but nobody was offering me a glamorous job in Paris when I graduated. But I got a chance to work for the YWCA in Mexico City, so I took it,” recalled Miller. “I had already spent a summer in South America by then.”
Driven by her interest in learning more about Latin America, her fluency in Spanish, and her desire to study and live someplace warm, Miller applied to a handful of master’s programs in the U.S. She knew very little about the programs she applied to. “Remember, this is before the internet.” A Latin American history professor she knew told her to choose UT Austin if she got in, so she did, although she admits the decision was rather random. “I hadn’t looked at a map,” Miller laughed, “I didn’t know where Austin was; I just knew it was in Texas. I couldn’t understand anybody at all for the first few days!”
It was during an art history seminar during her first semester that Miller began to develop an interest in the field that would become the focus of her career. Once she began the PhD program in art history, things gradually began to fall into place and her focus zeroed in on pre-Columbian and then specifically ancient Maya art.
Miller remarked on witnessing her own students’ reactions to this material. “A lot of my students were just astonished to learn about [pre-Columbian art]. Even the art history majors. I got a lot of converts from modern and Renaissance art, especially at the master’s level. The best part of teaching was the students’ discovery of these cultures.”
Although she spent most of her career teaching at UIC, Miller also taught at Oberlin College and Northwestern University. As a Fulbright scholar, she taught in both Guatemala and Mexico. She also took a brief break from teaching to join the Foreign Service, working in the consular office of the American embassy in Madrid.
Miller’s memories of UT and of Austin are joyful and positive, and it is clear that the Institute of Latin American Studies and the Benson Collection were a hub for much of her engagement here.
“UT was really foundational to me—to my professional career, but also to me personally. I really enjoyed my time in Austin. It was wonderful having that fantastic library. There were so many events that had a Latin American focus. There were so many faculty, even in areas I didn’t do, like geography and history, that you had this wonderful climate.”
Recalling the Benson, she said, “I loved the library. It had every publication. It was amazing. I mean, I would be researching pre-Columbian art in say, Bolivia, and I would find a journal that had two issues published in La Paz in the twenties [laughs] and it would be in the library! I was completely spoiled. Even Dumbarton Oaks in Washington does not match it. I was in the library a lot. Partly to work, partly to hang out with my friends, and partly because back then you browsed the stacks a lot. . . . I would browse the stacks endlessly to find interesting material on a wide range of subjects. It was the amplitude of the library and the accessibility of the material . . . it was just a very good atmosphere there.”
The inevitable question arose: Did she cross paths with the revered (and sometimes feared) head librarian Nettie Lee Benson? “Oh yeah. She terrified me! [laughs] She was in charge! I also knew Laura Gutiérrez-Witt, and David Block was a close friend of mine in graduate school.” (The beloved Gutiérrez-Witt and the late Block are former head librarians at the Benson.)
The Latin American Studies master’s degree offered Miller the freedom she needed to explore a wide and diverse field. “I was fascinated that when I arrived, I went to see my adviser because I didn’t know what to take, and he told me I could take anything,” she said.
It is clear that Dr. Miller’s gift is her way of giving back to a place that helped shape her and enriched her life.
“I had a lot of fun there. I know that’s not academic, but I really enjoyed my time. Austin is a wonderful memory to me.”
On the night of March 24, 2022, the UT Tower will be lit in honor of the centennial of a crown jewel of our campus—the Nettie Lee Benson Latin American Collection. Established as the Latin American library on campus in 1921, the collection is beloved by students and faculty, and visited by scholars from all over the world.
Benson Latin American Collection, with Olmec head replica
The collection was named in 1975 upon the retirement of revered head librarian and historian Dr. Nettie Lee Benson, who served as its director for thirty-three years, retiring in 1975. The stewardship of Mexico-born historian, archivist and educator Dr. Carlos E. Castañeda from 1927 to 1943 was similarly indispensable in the library’s earlier years. In 2011, the Benson joined forces with the Teresa Lozano Long Institute of Latin American Studies (LLILAS) in a partnership known as LLILAS Benson Latin American Studies and Collections. This partnership has allowed for an expansion of the Benson in the areas of digital scholarship, post-custodial archiving and archiving of Indigenous languages of Latin America.
Carlos E. Castañeda (right) examines a manuscript in the Latin American library, n.d.
To honor the Benson Centennial, The University of Texas at Austin has invested in an interior redesign of the Benson’s main reading room—the first since its construction in 1971. The newly refurbished 6,734-square-foot room is the main entrance to the library and the heart of a place frequented by thousands of visitors each year.
Nettie Lee Benson, undated archival photo
The Tower lighting on March 24 coincides with the grand opening of this beloved space, renamed the Ann Hartness Reading Room, in honor of former head librarian Ann Hartness, whose thirty-eight-year tenure at the Benson enriched Brazilian studies and collections at the university. Its naming was made possible by a gift from Hartness’s son and daughter-in-law, who have also established the Jonathan Graham and Elizabeth Ulmer Fund for Library Materials on Brazil, an endowment to enhance the collection in the field of Brazilian studies. Graham and Ulmer have dedicated the remaining portion of their gift to create the Ann Hartness Benson Collection Matching Fund.
Ann Hartness in the Benson Reading room, 1971
The Benson Centennial Tower lighting is a moment for hope—that this jewel of the University of Texas Libraries may continue to open its doors to the university community and beyond for many years to come, that we may continue to pursue digital projects that make our collections available worldwide through open access, and that support for the richness of this collection will be a means to continue its growth, its inclusiveness and its accessibility to an ever-expanding audience.
