ROCK HILL, SOUTH CAROLINA - Jackie McFadden will serve as interim dean of the Ida Jane Dacus Library and the Louise Pettus Archives and Special Collections, beginning June 16.
A tenured faculty member, McFadden started her career at Winthrop in 2001 as an interlibrary loan librarian following public services and technical services positions at the Greenville County and York County libraries. At Dacus, she has served since as coordinator for the Government Documents, Information Literacy, and Outreach departments, reference librarian, head of the Public Services Department, and most recently as head of the Government Information Services division.
An active participant in the development of library instruction and services, McFadden led Dacus through the phases of the COVID-19 pandemic, immediately providing no-contact reference and materials pickup services when the library building was closed.
“Jackie brings a depth of experience and familiarity with all aspects of library services at Winthrop,” noted Interim Provost Peter Judge in announcing McFadden’s new role. “She will be a steady, capable leader for the library and archives teams, all of whom know Jackie well due to her lengthy service.”
Her research interests include library development, government information and Marsh Tacky horses.
She worked with colleagues and equine enthusiasts around the state to establish the Marsh Tacky as South Carolina’s State Heritage Horse. In 2010, she was awarded the Order of the Silver Crescent, the Governor’s highest honor for volunteer and community service, by Governor Mark Sanford “for upholding the highest ideals of servant leadership through committed and faithful service to the library profession, Winthrop University, Dacus Library, numerous community causes, and her efforts to designate the Marsh Tacky as the State Heritage Horse of South Carolina.”
She has given national and international Marsh Tacky presentations at conferences and events, and her photographs of the horses have been published in books and periodicals.
She is co-author of “The Civilian Conservation Corps: A Bibliography” published with former Dacus Librarian Jean Wells.
McFadden said she is honored to lead the library and archives during this time of innovation and growth. “I am dedicated to building upon the rich legacy established by Dacus Library and Pettus Archives as the university’s knowledge and heritage centers,” she said. “I look forward to collaborating with campus colleagues as we work to support the academic needs of the Winthrop community, and to cultivate a culture of creativity, exploration and academic engagement.”
McFadden holds a Master of Library and Information Science degree from the University of South Carolina and a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Columbia College.
Within the next few weeks, Winthrop will initiate a search for a new dean with hopes of having someone in the permanent position by January 1, 2024, Judge said.
McFadden will step in as current Dean Kaetrena Davis Kendrick ’95 departs. Named as library dean in 2020, Kendrick returned to work at her alma mater after working as an associate librarian and associate professor at the University of South Carolina Lancaster.
For more information, contact Judy Longshaw, news and media services manager, at longshawj@winthrop.edu or at 803/323-2404.
