SIS Director Receives High Honors from Alma Mater
School of Information Sciences Director Abebe Rorissa was recently awarded the Outstanding Alumni Award from his alma mater, the University of North Texas’s College of Information, Department of Information Science.
Rorissa has been the director of the School of Information Sciences since July 2021. He also served as the associate dean of faculty affairs for CCI. Since becoming director, he was elected to be president of the Association for Information Science and Technology (ASIS&T) and recently completed his term in October 2023.
UNT’s College of Information gives this award to alumni whose exceptional journeys and contributions have left an indelible mark on the fields of learning technologies, library science, and linguistics.
“This recognition holds special significance for me as it symbolizes the incredible journey I’ve had since stepping foot on the UNT campus and because it is from an institution and department that not only gave me a lot, but also means a lot to me,” said Rorissa.
Rorissa graduated from UNT with a PhD in information science and a digital image management, CAS (Certificate of Advanced Studies – Post Master’s).
Rorissa said, “My time at UNT laid a solid foundation for me to achieve professional and personal success. I owe immense gratitude to the faculty, staff, and fellow students who made my time at UNT transformative.”
This year’s award ceremony was held at UNT’s Alumni and Friends Reception at the Texas Library Association in San Antonio, TX.
From UNT to the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, Rorissa credits the knowledge he gained from UNT’s program for enabling him to establish meaningful relationships across the country that have helped SIS grow here on Rocky Top.
“In receiving this award, I am reminded that success is not solitary; it’s a collective effort nurtured by a village of supporters. I am committed to paying forward the support and mentorship I’ve received, ensuring that future generations of UNT alumni can flourish as I have,” He explained.
SIS Director Receives High Honors from Alma Mater written by Kristen Gallant and originally published on the College of Communication & Information site.