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On June 8, 2012, Dean Emeritus of Ohio University Libraries Dr. Hwa-Wei Lee will receive an Honorary Doctorate of Philosophy degree.  A reception will be held to honor Dr. Lee’s achievement in the Faculty Commons on the third floor of the Alden Library from 2-3:30p.m.

During his tenure at Ohio University Libraries, Dr. Lee made many advancements.

“Dean Hwa-Wei Lee has a remarkable record of achievement in his leadership of Ohio University Libraries,” said President Emeritus Robert J. Glidden upon Dr. Lee’s retirement in 1999. “He has brought us to membership in the prestigious Association of Research Libraries, and his vision and diligence have helped us to establish some very impressive and important special collections. “

During Dr. Lee’s reign as dean, the libraries became one of the founding members ofOhioLink, endowments grew to over $8 million, a regional annex was built, digitization of the collections began and the libraries exceeded the two million volume mark.

“Lee [also] actively promoted international exchange and cooperation for overseas Chinese studies and librarianship by hosting dozens of Asian librarians in Alden Library and by organizing several international conferences,” explained Scott Seaman, the current dean of Ohio University Libraries.

After his retirement in 1999, Dr. Lee became chief of the Asian Division of the Library of Congress. Although recently retired, Dr.Lee remains active in the profession and in Ohio University Libraries as a member of the Libraries’ Capital Campaign Committee.

Dr. Lee’s worldwide influence in library science has earned him international recognition. He was honored in 2011 with a symposium held in his honor in Shenzhen, China and his receipt of this degree was announced at the the World Confederation of Institutes and Libraries in Chinese Overseas Studies conference on May 19,2012 in Vancouver Canada.

“The news of Ohio University going to confer on me an honorary doctoral degree came as a total surprise and I am very humbled by it,” said Lee. “The honor that I receive today I attributed to the teamwork of the entire library staff.”

The reception is open to the public and will feature light refreshments. All who wish to congratulate Dr. Lee are welcomed to attend.