Thursday, May 8, 2025
UNT College of Information student Merrion Dale Frederick has been named the 2025 recipient of the Theodore Calvin Pease Award by the Society of American Archivists. Her paper on preserving Louisiana Regional French was praised for its clarity, depth, and cultural relevance—earning national recognition and a forthcoming publication in American Archivist.

The University of North Texas is proud to announce that Merrion Dale Frederick, a student in the College of Information, has been selected as the 2025 recipient of the Theodore Calvin Pease Award, one of the highest national honors for student scholarship in archival studies.

Frederick’s winning paper, “A Comparative Study of Ongoing Archival Efforts for Louisiana Regional French,” was unanimously chosen by the Society of American Archivists (SAA) Pease Award Selection Committee. The paper impressed the committee with its clarity, scholarly depth, and innovative approach to a culturally significant topic. It examines the ongoing archival initiatives dedicated to preserving Louisiana Regional French, a heritage language with deep historical roots and present-day relevance.

Established in 1987 and named for the first editor of American Archivist, the Pease Award recognizes exceptional writing by students in the field of archival studies. Past winners have gone on to make meaningful contributions to the archival profession, and Frederick’s work is already being celebrated as a valuable addition to this legacy.

In recognition of this achievement, Frederick will receive a $250 cash prize, a certificate, and the opportunity to be published in American Archivist (Vol. 89, Issue 1), scheduled for Spring/Summer 2026. The award will also be presented during the SAA Annual Meeting, which will take place in Anaheim, California.

Congratulations to Merrion Dale Frederick on this outstanding achievement!