A tradition across the Penn State University system allows recently tenured and promoted Penn State professors to select a book title for the University Libraries’ permanent collection and to submit a personal statement explaining why they chose that book.

That tradition continued on Oct. 2 when recently tenured and promoted faculty selected a book through Penn State’s 2023 Promotion and Tenure Recognition Program.

Each selected book will be affixed with a bookplate recognizing the faculty member’s achievement.

This is the 21st year of the program.

Honorees, their guests, and invited colleagues were welcomed by Faye A. Chadwell, dean of University Libraries and Scholarly Communications, during a private event held in the Paterno Family Humanities Reading Room on the second floor of Pattee Library at the University Park campus.

“It is a privilege for the University Libraries to host this event that celebrates the academic and professional achievement of Penn State’s faculty,” Chadwell said. “We take great pride in the part that the Libraries play in your teaching and research and, therefore, ultimately in your success.”

Each faculty cohort’s book selections and personal statements are listed online, searchable by year and by last name.

Faculty members’ selected titles and words of dedication were also on display at the Oct. 2 event.

“Every day, you create powerful educational experiences for our students, facilitate positive outcomes across the University, and make meaningful impacts on our world,” said Justin Schwartz, executive vice president, and provost, to the honorees. “Through this annual recognition reception, Penn State continues a meaningful tradition of commemorating your achievements.”

Penn State President Neeli Bedpudi “Promotion and tenure isn’t something that just happens,” said Penn State President Neeli Bendapudi to the honorees. “You have earned this. This accomplishment reflects the fact that you have distinguished yourself as an expert in your field, an inspiration and a model for your colleagues and that you have contributed in a significant way to advancing the collective knowledge of humankind — truly one of the highest-minded and most noble pursuits to which we can dedicate ourselves in life.”

To read each Penn State professor’s entry and learn more, visit the Promotion and Tenure Recognition Program website.