September-October 2000

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Former AAUP President Martha Orr Friedman Dies

Former AAUP president Martha Orr Friedman, age seventy-two, died on June 21, 2000. Friedman was an associate professor of library science at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and the curator of the Lincoln Room in the university library. She spent almost thirty-four years as a librarian of history and philosophy.

Friedman was active in faculty governance and dedicated to improving the academic status of librarians. She served in leadership positions at the university and was president of the AAUP from 1978 to 1980. As president, Friedman lobbied for passage of legislation that established the U.S. Department of Education and, in the final six months of her term, also served as interim general secretary of the AAUP.

Before her term as AAUP president, Friedman was vice president and then president of the University of Illinois AAUP chapter, president of the Illinois conference, chair of the Assembly of State Conferences, and first vice president of the Association. Over the course of her career, Friedman also served on many AAUP committees, including the joint Committee on Faculty Status of College and University Librarians; Committee A on Academic Freedom and Tenure; the Committee on College and University Government; the Executive Committee of the Council; the Committee on College and University Teaching, Research, and Publication; and the Committee on Chapters, Conferences, Members, and Dues.

"Martha was an extraordinary individual," remembers Alfred Sumberg, retired AAUP associate secretary and director of government relations. She was also, according to Sumberg, a strong leader. She served as president during a time of inflation when some AAUP members, feeling the financial pinch, thought twice about renewing their memberships. Sumberg credits Friedman with persuading many people to stay in the Association. "She was very articulate," he comments. "But she could show fire when necessary. She had a dynamic personality."

In her honor, a fund has been established for the purpose of purchasing materials related to World War II history for the University of Illinois library. Contributions may be sent to Martha Orr Friedman Memorial Fund, Harker Hall, MC 386, 1305 West Green Street, Urbana, IL 61801.