Gwen Gray, business, economics and entrepreneurship librarian at the University of Missouri, is the 2025 winner for the BRASS Excellence in Business Librarianship Award. BRASS is the Business Reference and Services Section of the Reference and User Services Association, a division of the American Library Association.

Jaya Ghosh, program director of the MU Coulter Biomedical Accelerator, stated in her nomination letter, “Through her contributions to MU’s translational research funding, training and mentorship programs and other entrepreneurial offerings such as the regional I-Corps Program (advisor), MU EQ
Student Accelerator (mentor), Mizzou Venture Mentoring Service (mentor) and Entrepreneurship Workshop Series (mentor), Gwen’s work significantly enhances the innovation and entrepreneurship capacity of MU, and by extension of Missouri and the U.S. at large.”

Gwen’s contributions include supporting entrepreneurial initiatives at local and national levels, fostering community partnerships, supporting student success, and providing professional mentorship to LIS students. Gwen has dedicated years of her career to develop and strengthen networks that have created long-lasting impacts on her community and the broader profession.

Gwen stated, “I am humbled to receive the BRASS Excellence in Business Librarianship Award and am deeply grateful to LSEG Data & Analytic and RUSA for this recognition. Many thanks to the committee for selecting me to receive this honor. I’ve had wonderful support throughout my career at the Mizzou Libraries and would like to especially note Rhonda Whithaus and Jeannette Pierce who (unbeknownst to me) spearheaded the nomination effort. They along with so many of my colleagues have been supportive and encouraging, giving me the freedom to explore and go in new directions. I would also like to recognize Doug Moesel, associate professor of management, who started my work in entrepreneurship by inviting me to join a campus committee on the topic in 2004. Greg Bier, executive director of Entrepreneurship Programs, has been a tireless champion of librarians, making sure the entrepreneurship ecosystem knows our value. Thank you to all the faculty, staff, students and community members not named (and there are many) who have made me better than I would be on my own. Thank you again for this honor.”

Congratulations to Gwen!