Congratulations, Aaron Bales, winner of the 2025 Rev. Paul J. Foik, C.S.C., Award.

The annual award honors a library faculty member who has contributed significantly to the Notre Dame community and the library profession through personal scholarship and substantive engagement in professional associations.

Bales is the department head for Library Application Management at the Hesburgh Libraries. 

In the citation shared for his nomination, Bales is heralded for playing “a pivotal role in advancing transformative projects for Notre Dame and serves as an excellent ambassador in the library profession more broadly, representing the University’s values of innovation, stewardship, and excellence.” In addition to his technical expertise, he is also recognized for, “creating a collaborative working environment with a culture of mentorship and professional development.” Read the full citation.

“Aaron Bales has long been a leader in the Hesburgh Libraries, managing our technical systems with profound expertise and vision,” said Margaret Meserve, Interim Edward H. Arnold Dean, Hesburgh Libraries and University of Notre Dame Press. “His dedication makes the work of the Libraries possible and advances the work of scholars and students across the University. Aaron’s efforts over the past year to lead us to a new library management system have been nothing short of heroic, and I’m delighted to see his contributions to the Libraries and Notre Dame celebrated in this way.”

The Hesburgh Libraries community is pleased to see Aaron Bales recognized for his notable contributions to the Hesburgh Libraries, the University of Notre Dame and the library profession.

View past winners of the Rev. Paul J. Foik, C.S.C., Award.