For more than 25 years, Susan (Sue) Cardinal has helped generations of University of Rochester students, faculty, and researchers navigate an increasingly complex world of scientific information. In recognition of her extraordinary contributions to teaching, research support, innovation, and professional leadership, River Campus Libraries has named Cardinal the recipient of the 2025 Messinger Award.
Presented annually, the Messinger Award recognizes library staff whose work has made exceptional contributions to the educational mission of the University through sustained excellence, innovation, scholarship, and service.
As Lead STEM Librarian, Cardinal is known across campus as a trusted partner to researchers in chemistry, chemical engineering, and related disciplines. Her work spans every stage of the research lifecycle – from helping undergraduate students learn how to find and evaluate scientific literature to supporting faculty with scholarly publishing, research data management, open science, electronic laboratory notebooks, author identifiers, and emerging AI tools.
Her impact extends far beyond the University.
A nationally and internationally recognized leader in chemical information, Cardinal has served in numerous leadership roles within the American Chemical Society (ACS), including Chair of the Division of Chemical Information (CINF). Through ACS and the Special Libraries Association, she has organized national symposia, developed professional education programs, mentored librarians across the country, contributed to the ACS Guide to Scholarly Communication, and helped shape conversations around scientific publishing, open access, chemical information, and artificial intelligence.
Her leadership has brought those same conversations back to Rochester. Cardinal has organized multiple ACS on Campus events that connected University students and faculty with editors, publishers, and scientific communication experts, providing opportunities to learn about scholarly publishing, research visibility, mentorship, and emerging technologies.
Throughout her career, Cardinal has consistently embraced innovation while remaining deeply committed to the people behind the research. She has led initiatives supporting electronic laboratory notebooks, research data management, open science, collaborative learning spaces, and STEM instruction, while continually adapting library services to meet the evolving needs of researchers.
Just as significant as her professional accomplishments is her dedication to mentoring others. Colleagues describe Cardinal as generous with her time, knowledge, and encouragement, helping new librarians, students, and faculty develop confidence while building meaningful professional networks. Whether teaching a first-year student how to conduct a literature search or advising librarians across the country, she approaches every interaction with curiosity, enthusiasm, and a genuine desire to help others succeed.
Cardinal's own career reflects the value of lifelong learning. After earning a bachelor's degree in chemistry from the University of Iowa and working in environmental and industrial laboratories, she transitioned into librarianship, earning her Master of Library Science from Syracuse University before joining the University of Rochester in 2000. Her unique blend of scientific expertise, instructional excellence, and collaborative leadership has made her an invaluable resource for the University community and a respected voice within the profession.
Her contributions have previously been recognized with numerous honors, including the American Chemical Society's Transformative Librarian Award and the Val Metanomski Meritorious Service Award for leadership within ACS CINF. The Messinger Award now recognizes not only those national accomplishments but also the lasting impact she has had on the University of Rochester through her unwavering commitment to advancing research, supporting education, and strengthening the library's role in the scholarly enterprise.
Congratulations to Sue Cardinal on this well-deserved recognition.
