The Calian Award recognizes “an exemplary individual, a member of the Pittsburgh Seminary Community who demonstrates excellence in carrying out responsibilities and volunteer assignments, and also expresses a caring spirit of good will and hope so essential in our life together as a community.” The annual award was established via an endowment contributed by Sam and Doris Calian and their children, Lois and Dennis Trautvetter, Jill and Philip Calian, and Sara and Raffi Kaprielian. The 2024 recipient of the Calian Award is Mark C. Russell, research and instruction librarian at the Clifford E. Barbour Library.
Cheerful and Invested: Research Support for All
Mark is known throughout the Seminary community for his friendly demeanor and invaluable role in supporting student, faculty, and staff research and learning activities. He develops research and instruction programming, manages interlibrary loan services, supports faculty research and student coursework, stewards the library’s archives, and welcomes visitors from beyond the Seminary who seek out the library’s help in learning about personal, geographic, or ecclesial histories. Mark also creates tutorials and visits classes to ensure that new students are able to confidently access the materials they need to support their Seminary education.
“Mark goes above and beyond in his service to doctor of ministry students and to our entire program,” said Ramona Spencer, associate director of the Doctor of Ministry Program. “He gives tours, finds impossible to find books and articles, and provides a tremendous amount of support to students during the final project stage. He has created such a positive research atmosphere that my students cannot wait to come to campus and spend time there.”
“More than one student has commented on what a lifesaver Mark has been for helping them find scholarly and relevant resources for their papers and in navigating reputable sources like our electronic databases,” commented Tisha Woo, the Seminary’s user services librarian. “He supplies various members of the institution with the records and artifacts they need, often on short notice. Mark is always professional and cheerful in his work; he is a great library colleague.”
Mark’s investment in the community stretches further than his professional responsibilities. During the library’s renovation, when one of his colleagues lamented the loss her former Dungeons & Dragons campaign, Mark began a lunchtime D&D group, serving as game master (host, campaign designer) and recruiting additional players. As word of the game spread through the community, the group expanded to include both staff and students.
“Mark is such a caring and hopeful individual,” reflected Carrie Nelson, the Seminary’s electronic resources librarian. “He is one of the first to volunteer and offer a helping hand to those in need. He cares so much about the PTS community, and his cheerful, optimistic personality extends to those around him, especially if someone is having a hard time, either at work or in their personal life. Mark is one of the most genuine, hardworking, and nicest people I’ve ever met, and the Seminary wouldn’t be what it is today without him.”
Read more about Mark’s archival work in this blog post: Making History Accessible.
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