Dayne Sherman

COMMITTED TO SERVICE FROM THE START

Dayne Sherman first came to Southeastern as a freshman in 1988 and immediately became involved in campus organizations with service as a primary focus. Since then, this year’s recipient of the President’s Award for Excellence in Faculty Service has built quite an impressive service resume.

     As Professor of Library Science and Coordinator of User Education, Sherman is evaluated yearly on service through his appointment at Sims Library. Unlike academic faculty, service faculty are required to serve the campus community as their primary task. However, Sherman takes this a step further, serving his community, as well as surrounding communities. Though he currently does not teach courses as a librarian, Sherman’s goal is to assist students, faculty, staff and the community in their academic pursuits.

     “I have worked tirelessly to ensure that great public programming takes place inside and outside the library,” he said. “As a novelist and a writer, I have used my standing and skills to write numerous grant proposals for others. During the past 16 years, I have written many grant proposals that have sent me to regional libraries in Tangipahoa and Livingston parishes to conduct free programming.”

     Sherman has also served on numerous panels in his geographic area as one of the authors regularly providing adult education events in Amite, Hammond, Ponchatoula, and Albany-Springfield. However, he is particularly proud of his outreach presentations at the Brooklyn and New York Public Libraries in 2005 when he presented a speech titled “The Writer as Librarian, Librarian as Writer,” and conducted a free creative writing workshop, respectively.

     He has served in the Faculty Senate as a member, where he regularly spotlighted matters germane to Southeastern’s faculty and critical to the integrity of the university. His initial work there led to increased roles on the Executive Council, as Vice President, and ultimately, as President of the Faculty Senate. 

     “Throughout his work on the Faculty Senate, Dayne routinely advocated for the university’s faculty and consistently strengthened relationships between the faculty and Southeastern’s administration,” said KSLU General Manager Todd Delaney.

     Sherman began volunteering with the campus’ radio station in 2013. Since then, he has produced and hosted “The Best in American Music,” an hour-long radio program each week, resulting in over 300 shows. 

     “The commentary and insight that Dayne weaves into the unique backstories, connections, and relevance of the music he showcases on each program is unparalleled,” Delaney said. “He serves as a curator of the music and content of the show, digging through stacks of pre-recorded music and material, as well as featuring live performances from local musicians who are on today’s cutting edge of the best in American music.”

     Sims Library Director Eric Johnson said Sherman has served on many search committees in the library and throughout the university; created, promoted and continues to produce an annual “Readings at Sims” author program during National Library Week; has been a member of the University Planning Council, participating in the construction of the university’s “Vision 2025;” was interviews for an orientation video; and provided tours of the library for scores of student visitors and their teachers.

     “Mr. Sherman exemplifies service, whether as an advocate for higher education at the state level, as President of the Faculty Senate, as a member of prominent university committees, or as an advisor of a student club, he has given much time and talent to furthering support for all constituents on campus,” said Johnson. “He has spoken innumerable times to various groups at the university, has a proven record of activity with governing bodies throughout the state, and, through his weekly radio show on KSLU, he has not only enhanced the quality of entertaining offerings on the station, but has also served as a model for student radio hosts.”

     In fact, Sherman’s service to the Southeastern community has never wavered.

     “Serving the Southeastern community since I enrolled as a student has been an honor and a privilege,” he said.