Robert Weaver and Monte Monroe were honored by the Texas Historical Records Advisory Board.
The Southwest Collection/Special Collections Library (SWC/SCL) has always been one of the gems of Texas Tech University. Today (Oct. 13), it was also recognized as one of the gems of the state, as two SWC/SCL faculty members received the state’s highest recognitions for the archival profession: the 2023 Archival Awards from the Texas Historical Records Advisory Board (THRAB).
Robert Weaver received the 2023 Archival Award of Excellence (Individual), and Monte L. Monroe, Ph.D., received the David B. Gracy II Award for Distinguished Archival Service. Both are faculty Archivists in the Southwest Collection archive, which is part of the SWC/SCL.
Weaver, who serves as the manuscript archivist for the SWC/SCL, has provided support and guidance in a variety of areas key to moving the profession forward. As a writer, editor, peer reviewer and educator, he has promoted archival work and demonstrated the role of archives in Texas history. He is a certified archivist and participates in mentoring programs for the next generation of professionals.
This award highlights Weaver’s leadership with the overhaul of the Texas Archival Resources Online (TARO) project during particularly challenging events in recent years. He took on this volunteer work in addition to his regular duties and served as vice chair, chair and immediate past chair of the TARO steering committee through the pandemic, power grid failure and other difficulties.
“I’m honored and humbled to receive this award, but there are a lot of people around the state and right here at Texas Tech who made me the kind of archivist who could receive it,” Weaver said. “They all work very hard and deserve a lot of recognition as well.”
The David B. Gracy II Award for Distinguished Archival Service recognizes an individual or organization that has provided outstanding leadership, service and/or contributions to the archival profession in Texas. Monroe epitomizes distinguished archival service through his career as an advocate for archives: as SWC/SCL archivist at Texas Tech University; through his leadership roles and service on the boards of the West and East Texas Historical Associations, among others; and notably as the first archivist appointed Texas State Historian. Monroe is serving his third term.
He has spent more than two decades growing the archival resources at the SWC/SCL in the same position previously held by the award’s namesake. Monroe’s promotion of teaching Texas history and archival practice demonstrates how each discipline relies on the other, as well as the foundational relevance of primary sources to the historical record.
“The Texas Historical Records Advisory Board awards are the highest recognitions in the state for institutions and individuals connected to the archival profession,” Monroe said. “I am very humbled and honored to receive the David B. Gracy II Award for Distinguished Archival Service. Dr. Gracy received his Ph.D. in history from Texas Tech, was a predecessor as archivist of the Southwest Collection, and became one of the top archivists in Texas and the nation. He was a mentor and dear friend. I stand on his shoulders, as well as those of Professors Alwyn Barr, Paul Carlson and former SWC director David Murrah.
“The award recognition reflects the fine staff and faculty who work at the Southwest Collection/Special Collections Library at Texas Tech University, which is recognized as one of the top academic archives in the country.”
About THRAB
THRAB serves as an advisory body for historical records planning and supports efforts to preserve and provide access to archival collections throughout the state. Funding for THRAB is provided by the National Historical Publications Records Commission, the grant-making arm of the National Archives and Records Administration. The state archivist is appointed by the governor to preside over the nine-member board. Read more about THRAB and its activities here.
