LSU Libraries has recently awarded Christine Gambino with the 2021 General Syed Ali Zamin Memorial Scholarship. Established in the fall of 2014 by a gift from the Zamin family, the $1,000 scholarship is awarded annually to an LSU Libraries undergraduate student employee who has demonstrated the same work ethic and love for LSU as the scholarship's namesake.

Award winner Christine Gambino" data-title="Award winner Christine Gambino" data-align="center"/>

Gambino is a senior from Chalmette, Louisiana who studies plant and systems and horticulture at the LSU School of Plant, Environmental and Soil Sciences within the College of Agriculture. In August 2016, she joined the Interlibrary Loan (ILL) unit in LSU Libraries Access Services and is now a student assistant team leader. She spends her time outside of work and class as the President of the LSU Sustainable Agriculture Local Food Systems Club, which is a student organization that provides the LSU community with access to the resources and knowledge needed to grow food and learn the importance of sustainable agriculture. She also works at the Red Stick Farmers Market on Saturdays.

Influenced to apply for the award by her supervisor Larissa K. Elliott, resource sharing specialist, it has been Gambino's work ethic that makes her the most qualified to receive it.  Elliot says, "Not only does she come in on the weekends and help set up our weeks for success, but she also goes above and beyond to help ensure that her fellow coworkers are well trained and that the office as a whole is running as efficiently as possible! In short, it is safe to say ILL would be lost without the efforts of Christine! She also keeps the office plants alive and for that, we are eternally grateful!"

This award has great significance for Gambino who says that it will help build her financial confidence in funding her final semester at LSU. After she graduates in December 2021, she plans to continue helping her community and to seek employment, preferably in her field, until she can find a graduate assistantship to support her pursuit of a master's degree in soil science.

A committee of six Libraries' employees recognizes deserving faculty, staff, and student colleagues through annual awards. Sarah Simms, committee chair and undergraduate & student success librarian, says of this particular award, "It has been such an honor to serve on this committee and to continue recognizing General Zamin's legacy through this award."

See previous Zamin Memorial Scholarship award winners from 2015-2020.