2002 Entrepreneurial Award

May 30, 2002

C. Berger Group, Inc. Funds Annual Entrepreneurial Promise Award

Carol Stream IL – C. Berger Group, Inc. (CBG), the Midwest’s largest library personnel and information management services firm recently announced that Leslie Owens is the recipient of the C. Berger Group Entrepreneurial Promise Award conferred this month at the University of Illinois Graduate School of Library and Information Science convocation ceremonies. CBG funds the prize, given to a graduate of the program who exhibits unusual creativity, reflects an innovative spirit and shows the most promise for an outstanding career in a special library, nontraditional setting or as an entrepreneur. Leslie was chosen by the GSLIS faculty because she most succinctly met the requirements for the prize.

"CBG is pleased to honor such a talented and ambitious graduate of the GSLIS program," said Carol A. Berger, C. Berger Group Inc. President. "She represents not only the high caliber of all LIS students but also the energetic and unlimited view of their role in the future of the profession."

Professor Pat Lawton presented the citation on May 12, 2002 at convocation ceremonies held in Urbana, Illinois. She referred to Leslie as having demonstrated great creativity and innovation both in her coursework and in her professional pursuits. "She continually opened herself up to new challenges as an entrepreneur. Her achievements over the past two years stand as evidence to her spirited approach to life and learning."

Ms. Owens is currently working for a large Insurance firm in Illinois as Information Architect. She is responsible for designing organizational systems for intellectual property and is co-authoring an article on thesaurus evaluation with Professor Emeritus Pauline Cochrane, a mentor and friend. While she was a student, Leslie won an assistantship at the Disability Research Institute, where she maintained the organization’s Web site and discussion list. Leslie holds a BA. in Political Science from Duke University in Durham, NC. When asked if the skills and training offered in the library science field were applicable in many areas, Ms. Owens referred to the diversity in careers of her fellow students in everything from school librarians to university researchers.

The C. Berger Group Entrepreneurial Promise Award is one of several prizes given annually by CBG to library and information professionals and support staff who are recognized for excellence by their peers.