Baylor Law School Honors Librarian at Surprise Dedication

September 29, 2006

Described by Law Dean Brad Toben as an "inspiration to all," law librarian Susan Kendrick was surprised Friday by members of the Baylor Law School "family" when the reference/reading area on the first level of the law library was dedicated in her honor and in memory of former librarian, the late Della Geyer.
Kendrick, who is in her 34th year of service to Baylor Law School, was unaware that her family members, law school and campus friends were gathering for the dedication program. Loud applause and shouts of "surprise" greeted her as she accompanied colleagues into the room.
Said Dean Toben, "We wish to honor Susan on her long career of dedicated service to our students and to our school. She has given a lot to our school and this is a time of special recognition by her friends."
Kendrick has proved a true inspiration to all as a cancer survivor, and her colleagues attest to her "ever-cheerful and determined" attitude. Diagnosed in 2004 with stage 3 ovarian cancer, she underwent surgery, but, since July last year, has had to resume weekly trips to Dallas for treatment. "At this point, I haven't had to miss a whole lot of work, but they readily understand if I am not able to get in occasionally," she said. "That's why I love Baylor Law School so dearly. It's like being part of a true, caring family."
Second only to Professor David Guinn as the longest-serving, full-time member of the law school family (Guinn has completed 40 years of service), Kendrick was hired in 1973 by Della Geyer as an assistant law librarian. Today, she serves as the cataloging and government documents librarian. "Previously, Della had run the law library with only students assistants from 1956 until I was hired," said Kendrick. Geyer, who retired in 1992 after 36 years of service, died after suffering a stroke on Oct. 19, 1999. Kendrick described her as "My friend and mentor in law librarianship."
Among numerous family members attending Friday's dedication ceremony were Kendrick's mother and father, Charles and Mary Ann Kendrick, and her two brothers, Tom and Dick. A wall plaque naming the area "The Della M. Geyer and Susan Kendrick Reading Room" was dedicated during the program. Also dedicated was a framed photograph of Geyer and a two-page tribute to her written by Kendrick after Geyer's death in 1999.