Wednesday, October 17, 2018
In celebration of American Archives Month, the New York State Archives today announced the winners of the 2018 Annual Archives Awards. This annual awards program recognizes the outstanding archives and records management work of individuals and organizations in New York State. In addition, two individual students and one student group received awards for their use of historical records in research projects at a ceremony at the Cultural Education Center in Albany today.
“Every year we recognize and award individuals, organizations and students who have done outstanding work in managing records and in preserving and promoting New York’s history using historical records,” said Board of Regents Chancellor Betty A. Rosa. “Our student winners have done excellent work in using historical records to research and document our state’s history and I encourage them to continue to utilize the rich information contained in primary sources in their studies. Congratulations to the winners.”
“The winners of the annual Archives Awards always do remarkable and inspiring work and this year’s winners are no exception,” said State Education Commissioner MaryEllen Elia. “We’re proud to honor organizations and individuals who work every day to manage records to ensure accountability, efficiency and openness and to maintain archival records so our history is preserved for future generations. We also applaud the student winners for their outstanding use of historical records in their research and encourage all students and educators to explore New York’s rich history at archives, libraries and cultural institutions across the state.”
“It’s a great honor to recognize the exceptional work that organizations and individuals do every day to maintain and preserve records and celebrate the students who incorporate archival records in their research,” said Regent Roger Tilles, Co-Chair of the Board of Regents Cultural Education Committee. “New York State has a rich history and this year’s award winners do exemplary work to ensure that our state’s records are efficiently managed that historical records are preserved and available for research to bring history to life.”
“Congratulations to the individuals, organizations and students who have done an outstanding job in managing and preserving historical records as well as creating impressive research projects using primary sources,” said Regent Judith Johnson, Co-Chair of the Board of Regents Cultural Education Committee. “It’s critical that our history is preserved for future generations. Thanks to the work and dedication of this year’s winners, New York’s history will be available for use and research for many years to come.”
“We’re proud to recognize excellence in the use and care of New York’s records by individuals and organizations across the state,” said State Archivist Thomas Ruller. “The State Archives celebrates the researchers, educators and students who are analyzing and sharing the information contained in these valuable records.”
A complete list of this year’s award winners follows:
• Cheryl Steinbach Annual Archives Award for Excellence in Local Government Records Management:
Elizabeth Neville, Town of Southold
• William H. Kelly Annual Archives Award for Excellence in Local Government Archival Program Development:
Office of the County Clerk, Essex County Government Center
• Annual Archives Award for Excellence in State Agency Records Management Program Development:
New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA)
• Debra E. Bernhardt Annual Archives Award for Excellence in Documenting New York’s History:
SUNY Buffalo and Buffalo State College – East Side History Project
• Excellence in Research Using the Holdings of the State Archives:
Rebecca I. M. Walch
• Lifetime Achievement Award for Leadership in Archives and Records Management in New York State:
Carolee Conklin
• New York State Archives Partnership Trust Lifetime Achievement Award:
Laura Chodos
• Annual Archives Award for Student Research Using Historical Records, Grades 9-12:
The following student from Guilderland High School, Guilderland Central School District:
o Alan Wang
Teacher: Daniel McBride
• Annual Archives Award for Student Research Using Historical Records, Grades 6-8:
The following student from Jericho Middle School:
o Kevin Zhu
Teachers: Valerie Mignone and Judith Adler
• Annual Archives Award for Student Research Using Historical Records, Grades 4 & 5:
The fourth-grade class from Thornell Road Elementary School, Pittsford:
o Christopher Bergholtz
o Rohan Chwalek
o Lelia Fay
o Samuel George
o Ryan Iacobucci
o Matthew Irving
o Sukhmani Jattana
o Misa Johnson
o James Kazacos
o Mikela Lloyd
o Josiah Martin
o Kyra McGee
o Aiden Na
o Adam Pllard
o Ava Rice
o Jack Schreyer
o Magdelena Spring
o Mary Stynik
o Sarah Zeigler
o Giovanni Asaad
Teacher: Toni Stevens-Oliver
American Archives Month is a collaborative effort by professional organizations and repositories around the nation to highlight the significant role archives, archivists, and records managers perform. These organizations and professionals manage, preserve and make accessible to researchers records that contain information that preserve the rights of citizens; document the actions of people, governments and institutions; and provide a direct link to the voices, experiences, and opinions of people past and present.
The New York State Archives is a program of the State Education Department’s Office of Cultural Education. Located on Madison Avenue in Albany, the Archives is open Monday through Saturday from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. except on legal holidays. Further information can be obtained by calling (518) 474-8955 or visiting the Archives’ website.
