![\"Student](\"http:\/\/blog.siuf.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/11\/dave-whitfield-1024x683.jpg\")
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By Rebecca Renshaw<\/em><\/p>\n Dave Whitfield, a graduate student from Cairo, Illinois, and a Morris Library student employee, was awarded the Jeanne Hurley scholarship in May 2017. Whitfield said the scholarship has him leaning toward pursuing a master\u2019s degree in library science after he receives his doctorate in communication studies.<\/p>\n Morris Library administers the endowment, created to celebrate the life and longstanding commitment to libraries and education of Jeanne Hurley Simon, wife of the late U.S. Sen. Paul Simon. The endowment provides up to three scholarships each year to Morris Library student employees, and the goal is fostering the development of ethnic, racial, cultural and gender diversity.<\/p>\n Whitfield said he thoroughly enjoys his job at the information desk, especially when he gets to help community patrons and those with disabilities.<\/p>\n \u201cI was a medic in the Air Force from 1990 until 1998,\u201d he said. \u201cIn that timeframe, my work revolved around helping people. Now, 10 years later, I\u2019m still helping people, but just in a different environment.<\/p>\n \u201cWorking in the library is so fulfilling because people often don\u2019t have the vocabulary to ask how to find the things they know little about yet. It forces me to become a good listener and to establish a positive connection with people who are trying to find something in the library. If I can make them feel welcome and comfortable, we will always end up finding out what they need,\u201d he added.<\/p>\n Whitfield hopes more individuals will give to Morris Library.<\/p>\n \u201cThis place is transformative,\u201d he said. \u201cWhen donors give to this great library, they are opening the doors of opportunity to everyone \u2013 students, faculty, alumni and the entire community. It\u2019s just a great place of expanding minds and forging relationships.\u201d<\/p>\n For more information about Morris Library\u2019s fundraising goals, visit www.foreversiu.org\/colleges-units\/morris-library<\/a>.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" By Rebecca Renshaw Dave Whitfield, a graduate student from Cairo, Illinois, and a Morris Library student employee, was awarded the Jeanne Hurley scholarship in May 2017. Whitfield said the scholarship has him leaning toward pursuing a master\u2019s degree in library science after he receives his doctorate in communication studies. Morris Library administers the endowment, created … Continue reading Jeanne Hurley Simon Memorial Library Endowment scholarship expands horizon<\/span>