Today@Sam Article
A New Chapter: NGL Names New Director
March 11, 2019
SHSU Media Contact: Hannah Haney
Sam Houston State University has approved the appointment of Eric Owen as Executive Director of the Newton Gresham Library (NGL), effective March 1.
Owen joins the SHSU community most recently from Blinn College in Brenham where he served as Director of Library Services. Prior to joining Blinn College, he held multiple faculty and leadership positions in the University Library at Eastern Michigan University.
Owen earned dual undergraduate degrees in history and anthropology from Texas A&M University and also holds a Master of Science in Information from the University of Michigan and a Master of Arts in Medieval History from Western Michigan University.
“My calling card for most of my library career has been a sort of ‘Jack of all trades’ which I like because of the variety of work,” Owen said. “I am comfortable in a lot of different areas and I've had the opportunity to work in most aspects of libraries including reference and instruction, collection development, personnel management, technology and facilities.”
Owen’s appointment marks a new era for the university, as the NGL has not seen a change in leadership since previous director Ann Holder took the helm in 2003. He is excited to join SHSU based on its history as one of the oldest public institutions in Texas and one of the most diverse.
“SHSU was founded as a Normal School which shows that the teaching and learning aspect is a central tenet to the history of the institution,” Owen said. “Libraries are the main resource for all information needs and a major component for supporting those endeavors.”
His first objective in his new role will be managing renovations of the library and predicts this will be just one of the many opportunities for the building’s development and growth.
“In this profession, we are seeing a lot of change and evolution across all libraries,” Owen said. “We have very good library faculty and staff here and they are going to be a great group to work with moving forward.”
In his role as executive director, Owen will use his many talents to oversee the operation of the NGL and all library services. He is tasked with advancing the learning and research of students and faculty through visionary leadership in planning, implementing, managing, and evaluating library services, collections, systems, facilities, and budgets.
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