Jon Cawthorne, dean of the Wayne State University Library System, recently took on the role of 83rd president of the Association of College and Research Libraries (ACRL). With a membership of more than 10,000 individuals and libraries, ACRL develops programs, products, and services to help those working in academic and research libraries learn, innovate and lead within the academic community.
“I am excited, honored and humbled to serve ACRL as president,” said Dr. Cawthorne. “Due to the pandemic, it will be a season of great change for ACRL, but it is my hope that we will be able to build on our foundations and expertise to create a positive, thriving future for academic libraries.”
Dr. Cawthorne became dean of the Wayne State University Library System in 2017. Earlier in his career, he was dean of libraries at West Virginia University, associate dean for public services and assessment at Florida State University Libraries, associate university librarian for public services at Boston College, and dean of the San Diego State University Library.
Cawthorne is a graduate of Evergreen State College in Olympia, Washington. He holds a master of library and information science degree from the University of Maryland at College Park and a doctorate in managerial leadership in the information professions from Simmons University in Boston.
