Zhao receives Fondren’s 2017 Shapiro Award

Rice University News & Media

Members of the Rice community gathered in Fondren Library’s historic Kyle Morrow Room July 10 for a reception honoring an exceptional library employee. Jane Zhao, director of the Digital Media Commons (DMC), was recognized with the 2017 Shapiro Award.
Jane Zhao addresses attendees of the Shapiro Award ceremony. Photos by Tommy LaVergne
The commons supports the creation and use of multimedia in education, scholarship and artistic expression at Rice. Located in Suite B42 in the library, the commons space boasts a state-of-the-art video and photography studio with a green screen and professional lighting, a soundproofed audio-recording studio and a multipurpose room. The DMC works to provide extensive support for creating multimedia, including training, equipment checkout and access to video-editing software. The commons was previously located in Herring Hall. Zhao oversaw its move to Fondren in spring 2015.
The Shapiro Award is presented annually to a member of the Fondren Library staff who has developed an innovative program to provide library services at Rice or has shown exemplary service to the university community. Zhao, who came to Rice in 2005, is the 16th recipient of the award since it was first given in 2002.
Zhao’s supervisor, Lisa Spiro, executive director of digital scholarship services at Fondren, noted Zhao’s dedication and professional ethos. “Jane demonstrates a strong commitment to assisting faculty, students and staff with pretty much any multimedia project, deep knowledge of multimedia, the ability to envision and implement new services and a positive, can-do attitude,” Spiro said. “In the past couple of years, Jane has the deepened the DMC’s collaborations, set up and promoted new multimedia studios, developed new training programs and offered outstanding service throughout. I think that Jane is wonderful, and based on the eight nominations she received for this award, it’s clear that many share that view. People from across the university value Jane’s expertise and ...

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