The South Carolina Archival Association has five available awards that will be awarded at the Annual Meeting:
Through its annual awards program, the South Carolina Archival Association recognizes outstanding individuals in the archival field. Honorees need not be SCAA members, and we recognize current full-time archivists, distinguished retirees, volunteers and others who have done outstanding archival work in South Carolina.
Awards given include:
- South Carolina Archivist of the Year: Awarded in recognition of extensive years of exceptional service to the profession, particularly in South Carolina, and forwarding the mission and goals of SCAA.
- Career Achievement Award: In recognition of an extensive body of work on the preservation of historical materials about South Carolina and of service to promoting their use, and generally awarded upon retirement, relocation from South Carolina and similar events.
- Emerging Leader Award: Awarded to an early career professional who has completed archival work of broad merit, demonstrated significant promise of leadership, and/or performed commendable service to the archives profession in South Carolina. Nominees must have no more than three years of experience in the profession.
- Program Innovation Award: Awarded to professionals who, based on criteria such as, but not limited to: Creating a viable archives where none existed; publishing materials that benefit archives or archivists; establishing successful new programs such as access to collections on the web or working with community groups to promote archives. Successful efforts should be South Carolina-based.
- Friend of the Archives Award: To an individual or organization which promotes, advocates, and/or defends archives and archival programs in South Carolina.
- Brenda Burk President’s Award: To the outgoing SCAA President in recognition of their year of service to our organization and the state.
Submitting Nominations
Nominations are due March 31, 2026. For more information, contact Dr. Kristen Welch, Vice President. To nominate yourself or a colleague, you will need:
- Name of Nominee
- Nominee's institution and contact information
- Name of Nominator
- Nominator's contact information
- Name of Award
- Describe the nominee’s accomplishments and why they are deserving of this award. Please provide examples to help support the nomination.
Submit nominations using this form.
Thank you for helping us recognized individuals who are supporting and promoting the archival profession!
Awards Committee:
The Awards Committee consists of the Vice President/President-Elect as Chair, and other members as appointed. The Awards Committee recruits nominations for four annual SCAA awards; selects the recipients for the awards; purchases the awards; plans and executes an Awards Ceremony at the Annual Meeting; and oversees publicity for the program. It also presents an award to the President. Members of the Awards Committee are not eligible for awards during their time of service.
Current Committee Chair: Dr. Kristen Welch, Vice President/President-Elect
If you are interested in serving on the Awards Committee please contact: vicepresident@scarchivists.org