Purdue Libraries and School of Information Studies News

Purdue University Libraries and School of Information Studies Professor Michael Fosmire receives American Society for Engineering Education (ASEE) Engineering Libraries Division Homer I. Bernhardt Distinguished Service Award

May 29th, 2026

Purdue University Libraries and School of Information Studies is proud to announce that Professor Michael Fosmire has been awarded the prestigious Homer I. Bernhardt Distinguished Service Award by the Engineering Libraries Division of the American Society for Engineering Education (ASEE).

Established in 1990, the Bernhardt Award recognizes individuals whose sustained contributions, leadership, and scholarship have significantly advanced engineering information services and engineering education. The award honors the legacy of Homer I. Bernhardt, former head of the Bevier Engineering Library at the University of Pittsburgh, whose work left a lasting impact on the profession.

Fosmire’s career reflects nearly three decades of exceptional service, scholarship, and leadership in engineering librarianship. Like Bernhardt, he began his career as a physics librarian before becoming head of the Engineering, Physical Sciences, and Technology Division of Purdue Libraries from 2003 to 2020. Following a Libraries reorganization, he served as the inaugural head of the School of Information Studies from 2020–2024.

One of Fosmire’s most significant service contributions is his 22-year tenure on the editorial board of Issues in Science & Technology Librarianship (ISTL), a leading diamond open-access journal dedicated to STEM librarianship. His long-standing editorial leadership has played a key role in sustaining ISTL as a vital platform for scholarly communication in the field.

Fosmire’s expertise has also been recognized through service on advisory boards for major scientific publishers, including IOP Publishing, the American Institute of Physics, and the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. In these roles, he has contributed to shaping how scientific information is organized, disseminated, and accessed by researchers and students worldwide.

His influence extends to the global stage through his involvement in major international events, including serving on the organizing and planning committees for the 2010 International Association of Scientific and Technical University Libraries (IATUL) conference and the 10^th Design Thinking Research Symposium. These efforts highlight his commitment to fostering interdisciplinary collaboration and connecting engineering librarianship with broader STEM research communities.

A prolific scholar, Fosmire has authored more than 50 peer-reviewed publications and holds a Google Scholar h-index of 16. His research frequently bridges engineering librarianship and engineering education, particularly in understanding how engineers seek and use information. Among his most impactful contributions is the co-edited volume, Integrating Information into the Engineering Design Process, created in collaboration with then Head of the School of Engineering Education, David Radcliffe. The book remains an influential resource for both librarians and educators.

Fosmire has also made substantial contributions through ASEE, publishing 22 peer-reviewed papers in ASEE-sponsored journals and conference proceedings. His work has earned multiple honors, including two Engineering Libraries Division Best Publication Awards, an ASEE PIC IV Best Paper Award, and the 2023 University of Washington iSchool Distinguished Alumni Award.

Beyond his scholarship and service, Fosmire’s leadership and mentorship have had a lasting impact on the profession. Over the course of his career, he has mentored numerous engineering librarians who have gone on to receive major professional honors and assume leadership roles within ASEE and beyond. His mentorship has helped shape future generations of leaders in engineering librarianship, amplifying his influence across the field.

Michael Fosmire’s distinguished career exemplifies the spirit of the Homer I. Bernhardt Distinguished Service Award. His sustained commitment to advancing engineering librarianship, fostering interdisciplinary collaboration, and mentoring future leaders has strengthened the profession and continues to inspire colleagues across the globe.

Purdue University Libraries and School of Information Studies extends its sincere congratulations to Professor Fosmire on this well-deserved recognition.

View the full announcement on the OSF website.