Supporting a Legacy: Celebrating Liz Liddy

LIZ LIDDY LEGACY

A C E L E B RAT I O N O F DEAN LIZ LIDDY

Liz’s Legacy Liz Liddy has made an immeasurable lasting impact during her time as Dean of the iSchool. Through her leadership, the iSchool has become a leader in information science and technology, pioneering new programs and partnerships, and ensuring that all students have the opportunity to gain hands-on experiential learning. As she prepared for retirement, we sought to advance her legacy for future iSchool students. The Three Pillars While her legacy is extensive and has touched every corner of the iSchool, Liz’s work can be summarized into three distinct pillars:

Women in Technology:

Under Liz’s leadership, the iSchool’s undergraduate program has grown, along with the number of women interested in pursuing an education and career in the information management and technology field. The most recent undergraduate class of 2022 is a record 47% female. And the signature It Girls Overnight Retreat program just finished its 8th successful year of introducing high school girls to academic programs and careers in information technology.

Innovation and Entrepreneurship: Academic Impact:

Investments in entrepreneurship programs at the iSchool and across the University have allowed students to ignite and sustain their passion for building new businesses and ventures. The Syracuse Student Sandbox and the iSchool’s Information Technology, Design, and Startups minor have provided an academic path for entrepreneurial students. Nearly 200 start-up teams have won over $2 million in entrepreneurship competitions, and established ventures have secured almost $30 million in venture capital backing. Over the course of her academic career, Liz led 70 research projects, authored more than 110 research papers, acquired eight software patents, and delivered hundreds of conference presentations. Liz was at the forefront of library and information science research with her efforts in natural language processing (NLP) and was the founding director of the iSchool’s Center for Natural Language Processing (CNLP), advancing the development of language understanding software capabilities for government, commercial, and consumer applications.

Doctoral graduate Keisuke Inoue (left) presented Dean Liddy with a customized bottle of wine from each doctoral advisee she worked with during her time at the iSchool.

Support Liz’s Legacy To ensure that Liz’s legacy continues, an endowed fund has been established. This fund will directly support students in areas detailed by the three pillars above. Help us celebrate the lasting impact that Liz has made on the iSchool, our students, and alumni with a gift to the Elizabeth D. Liddy Endowed Student Support Fund. Enclose your gift in the envelope included in this magazine, or give online at liz. ischool.syr.edu.

Leave a Toast to Liz After more than 30 years as a faculty member, researcher, and Dean at the Syracuse University iSchool, Liz has touched the lives of many. Read and share a celebratory toast to Liz’s Legacy on our site dedicated to her: liz.ischool.syr.edu.

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Upcoming Alumni Events Mark these dates on your calendar, because the iSchool is hosting alumni gatherings in these cities over the next few months. If you’re nearby or can travel to meet up, network, and reminisce, please join us!

JUNE

ALA Networking Night ✘ Sunday, June 23 — 6:00 – 8:00 p.m. City Tap House (Penn Quarter) (During ALA 2019) 901 9th St NW, Washington, DC

D.C. Summer Shindig ✘ Monday, June 24 — 5:30 – 7:30 p.m. W Hotel, POV Rooftop Bar 515 15th St NW, Washington, DC

JULY

NYC Summer Shindig ✘ Wednesday, July 10 — 6:00 – 9:00 p.m. Beer Authority, Rooftop Terrace 300 W 40th St, New York, NY

Boston Summer Shindig ✘ Thursday, July 11 — 6:00 – 8:30 p.m. Legal Harborside 270 Northern Ave, Boston, MA

AUGUST

Seattle Alumni Networking Night ✘ Tuesday, August 13 — 6:30 – 8:30 p.m. Location TBA

Portland Alumni Networking Night ✘ Thursday, August 15 — 6:30 – 8:30 p.m. Location TBA SEPTEMBER

iSchool Alumni Awards Luncheon ✘ Friday, September 13 — 12:00 – 1:30 p.m. Syracuse University, Hinds Hall Syracuse, NY

iSchool Homecoming Brunch ✘ Saturday, September 14 — 10:00– 11:30 a.m. Syracuse University, Hinds Hall Syracuse, NY

Fall Career Fair ✘ Tuesday, September 24 Syracuse University, Syracuse, NY

OCTOBER

Philadelphia Alumni Night ✘ Thursday, October 3 Location: TBA

IT Girls Retreat ✘ Sunday, October 6 – Monday, October 7 Syracuse University Syracuse, NY

We send event notifications via e-mail—do we have your correct e-mail address and location in our records? Update your information at: ischool.syr.edu/update so we can invite you to events in your region.