The New York State Archives and the Archives Partnership Trust have announced the winners of the 2014 Archives Awards. These annual awards recognize the archives and records management work of individuals and organizations in New York State. Award recipients include a former member of the Board of Regents, local governments, a state agency, educators and students.
Regent Emerita Laura Chodos, under whose name three of the annual awards were given, received the 2014 William Hoyt Annual Archives Award for Advocacy. The award is named after the late Assemblyman William Hoyt from Buffalo, who was a supporter of archives and records management in New York State.
According to an announcement issued to the press:
“The Hoyt Award for Advocacy recognizes Ms. Chodos’ support and championing of the value of primary sources in education. Ms. Chodos and her late husband Dr. Robert Chodos provided both the inspiration and the endowment for the State Archives’ Student Research Award Program. Because of Ms. Chodos’ dedication and strong advocacy efforts, the Student Research Award program continues to thrive, challenging New York students to conduct research using historical records, create compelling projects, and make interpersonal and community connections. This award also recognizes her efforts as a member of the Board of Regents to encourage the Archives and State Education Department to promote the value of using primary sources in the curriculum and the importance of improving social studies education for New York students.”
“We are pleased and honored to recognize Regent Emerita Chodos for her work over almost 30 years to help the State Archives build a program promoting the value of primary sources in education,” Interim State Archivist Thomas J. Ruller said in the press statement. Ruller has replaced former State Archivist Christine Ward while the Board of Regents has discreetly set out to hire a new State Archivist.
A complete list of this year’s award recipients follows:
William Hoyt Annual Archives Award for Advocacy
Laura Chodos (Saratoga County)
Cheryl Steinbach Annual Archives Award for Excellence in Local Government Records Management
Tompkins County
William H. Kelly Annual Archives Award for Excellence in Local Government Archival Program Development
Rockland County
Excellence in State Agency Records Management Program Development
Office of the State Comptroller (Albany County)
Excellence in the Educational Use of Local Government Records by a Local Government
Madison County and Madison-Oneida BOCES (Madison County and Oneida County)
Excellence in Research Using the Holdings of the State Archives
Joseph F. Spillane, Department of History, University of Florida
Laura and Robert Chodos Award for Excellence in Student Research Using Historical Records, Grades 9-12
Olivia Chan, Townsend Harris High School at Queens College, Teacher: Franco Scardino (New York County)
Laura and Robert Chodos Award for Excellence in Student Research Using Historical Records, Grades 6-8
Ava Hornblass, Ramaz Middle School, The Ramaz School, Teacher: Judy Sokolow (New York County)
Laura and Robert Chodos Award for Excellence in Student Research Using Historical Records, Grades 4-5
Jacobi Kandel, Murray Avenue School, Mamaroneck Union Free School District, Teacher: Pamela Tanenbaum (Westchester County)
My family and I congratulate Mrs. Chodos and her late husband for their foresight in this endeavor! Recognizing the potential of children in efforts to preserve history is a gift in itself. Thank you!