Claud Kniffin wins 2006 Edna Mae Phelps Award

Claud Kniffin of Oklahoma City recently received the thirteenth annual Edna Mae Phelps Award. The Edna Mae Phelps Award is the highest honor presented by the Friends of the OSU Library.

Associate Dean of Libraries and 2002 Phelps Award winner, Jennifer Paustenbaugh, nominated Kniffin. The President of the Friends of the OSU Library, Dean Stringer, presented the award and read from Paustenbaugh’s nomination: “A valuable and contributing member of the Friends Board, Claud attends every meeting and provides both wise counsel and historical context for proposed actions. He is a staunch advocate for the best educational support for OSU students.”

Kniffin has been a member of the Friends of the OSU Library Board of Directors since 1998 and has been a strong supporter of the OSU Library for many years. His connection with the Library began 70 years ago when he accepted a student position at the College Library working in the Reserves Room as a freshman in 1936.

Kniffin has further provided for the long-term success of the University through a generous planned gift that will benefit both the Library and the College of Education.

The Edna Mae Phelps Award was established in 1994 to honor founder and first President of the Friends of the OSU Library Edna Mae Phelps of Seminole. Nominations are collected throughout the year. For information on the award and how to nominate someone go to www.library.okstate.edu/friends/profiles/phelps.htm  or call (405) 744-7331.

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