Career Librarian Bestows Largest Gift on SILS
Aeducation has left UNC’s School of Crutchfield in memory of her mother, could do anything,” she said.“If they couldn’t
Information and Library Science Janie Gammon Crutchfield — who always yet read, she would offer reading hours. She
n alumna who dedicated her life to The $1.12 million gift, given by children in exploring through reading, they
more than $1 million for student scholar- encouraged her daughter to pursue her would make studying fun and interesting by
ships. education — will go to the school’s Susan bringing in artifacts from her many travels to
Jane Iris Crutchfield ’ 55 bequeathed the Grey Akers Scholarship Fund, named for a relate to her stories or the book they were
gift when she died in December former school dean. This reading. She wanted everyone to read, to
2006 at age 92 after spending her endowment fund assists deserv- appreciate and enjoy reading. As a children’s
career as a teacher and school ing students who are both librarian, she always had suggestions of books
librarian. She taught in the admitted to the master of sci- to read or things to explore for my siblings
Danville,Va., public schools and ence in library science degree and me. Each birthday we received a book
later in the Richmond public program and distinguished by that had been carefully selected and was
schools. She came to the UNC evidence of professional promise, meaningful for each of us.”
school after 19 years of teaching character, leadership and high Her favorite memories of Crutchfield
to pursue a degree in library sci- scholastic achievement. were of her tea parties. “She would have my
ence, graduating with a bachelor’s The bequest is the largest gift sister and me over for tea,” Lanzillotta said.
degree. the school has ever received. “They were very special occasions for us.”
Crutchfield
In addition to receiving her “This incredibly generous In honor of Crutchfield and to com-degree from the school, Crutchfield earned gift will provide scholarships to our most memorate the gift, the dean will host an
a bachelor of science degree from Mary promising students for years to come,” said annual tea for recipients of the Akers schol-Washington College (now Mary Washing- José-Marie Griffiths, dean of the school. arships. The school’s alumni association
ton University) and a master’s degree in Mary Kay Lanzillotta, whose family was established the Akers Scholarship Fund
education from the University of Virginia. a neighbor of Crutchfield’s, described her as upon the retirement as dean of the late
She was a school librarian at Patrick Henry an elegant lady who was always actively Susan Grey Akers. She was the first dean of
Elementary School in Arlington,Va., from involved with children’s reading. the school, serving from 1932 to 1954, and
1960 until she retired in the late 1970s. “Miss Iris thought if she could engage the first female dean at UNC.
