On March 1rth, 2019, the Lambda Chapter of Beta Phi Mu held their spring initiation and business meeting at the Embassy Suites Hotel and Conference Center in Norman, Oklahoma. The chapter was lucky enough to get BPM President-Elect, Dr. Cecelia Brown as a speaker. Dr. Brown gave a motivating speech on Excellence through Diversity in which she referenced Dr. Lotsee Patterson, a well-known colleague, and her many achievements with tribal libraries. Dr. Brown pointed out that excellence “…can start small but grow really BIG. It can be totally doable with your scholastic ability and unquantifiable leadership potential.”

The Lambda Chapter initiated 18 new members to organization: Jayanna Greenwood, Samantha Free, David Gilley, Adrian Fisher, Lynda Siavashpour, Elizabeth Szkirpan, James Dodd, Marianne Myers, Vona Bowling, Emily Wolfgeher, Cassondra Darling, Gail Currier, Evelyn Cox-Steib, Vivian Feng, Katherine LeFevre, Daniel Pool, Kyndra Valencia, and Brynn Simons. The Lambda Chapter is excited to see how these librarians pursue excellence in their respective areas. Two new board members were also welcomed: Lisa Halderman (Secretary) and Elizabeth Jones (Vice President). Lisa is the library director for the Northeast Campus Library at Tulsa Community College. Elizabeth is the director of library technology & data management for the Max Chambers Library at the University of Central Oklahoma. While it is always exciting to welcome newbies, we also sadly say farewell to those exiting the board: Andy Taylor (Past President) and Garnet Nowell (Secretary). Their hard work and dedication to the chapter is greatly appreciated!