We are saddened to share that Elizabeth “Liz” DuRoss Liddy, beloved dean emerita, colleague, and friend, passed away on August 21 at the age of 81. Liz’s visionary leadership and pioneering scholarship shaped not only the iSchool, but the field of information studies worldwide.
As we remember her warmth, generosity, and enduring impact, we invite you to share your own memories and reflections below.
Remembrances
“Many remember Liz as both a professor and the Director of the Center for Natural Language Processing (CNLP), where her pioneering research laid the groundwork for today’s advancements in artificial intelligence. Under her leadership, CNLP moved into the third floor of Hinds Hall and grew to a team of 50 employees at its peak, generating millions of dollars in research funding for the iSchool. True to her collaborative spirit, Liz chose a desk in the middle of the open workspace, where she could easily engage with her team and foster innovation.”
– Bruce Kingma
“Very sad to hear of Liz’s passing. I worked for Liz when she was Interim Provost and everything about her – dynamic, intelligent, energetic and above all else, kind to everyone she encountered. She had a smile on her face and was passionate about her role as dean and then as interim provost. Although the iSchool was the center of her work life, the true center of her life was her role as both mother and grandmother. She adored her children and thrived on the joys of her grandchildren. I have missed seeing her since her retirement; I know she had to be immensely happy living in North Carolina. Rest in peace, Liz and enjoy your angel wings.”
– Beverly Everding
“She was a great friend of our family and close friend of my mother, Pat Hoffmann. They worked together at the OCC library together in the late 60’s and early 70’s. We all went to St. Andrews Catholic Church together. She was the matron of honor at my mother’s wedding to Bill Cuddy. My husband Jud Wynkoop and myself bought her house at 209 Strathmore, Syracuse, Ny in the 90’s. Last time I remember seeing her was at my mother’s 80th birthday party at the Westcott Community Center . That was 13 1/2 years ago.”
– Teresa Hoffmann
“It is beyond sadness that I am reflecting on my interactions with an incredibly passionate and inspirational leader, colleague, and friend. Upon joining the iSchool in 1995, 30 years ago, Liz eagerly assumed the role of my mentor, allowing me to benefit from two mentors: she and Susan Bonzi. After she became the dean, Liz strategically appointed me to head the PhD program for four years. As the interim provost, Liz enthusiastically sponsored my fellowship year at ACE (American Council on Education) to prepare me for a future leadership role in American higher education. As the dean again after returning from the provost position, and when I struggled with my health, Liz compassionately accommodated my workload and suggested an early sabbatical for me to re-establish my footing in intellectual discovery. Everyone who knew Liz would remember how close she was to her family. She extended that family orientation to the school. What my young daughter talked most about the iSchool when she was young was the annual Labor Day parties at Liz’s cottage in Skaneateles. For several years in a row, my daughter played with other kids, especially Carsten’s two girls, ran among the crowds to grab yummy food, and ruminated on how much fun it was after returning home. Liz was one of those who played an important role in my life.”
– Ping Zhang
“Liz was a joy to be around, full of good humor and practical awareness on matters relating to the iSchools movement. Others can speak to her many achievements at Syracuse and beyond, and rightly so, but I want to remember her for her warmth, laughter, and good company, often at the bar of some conference hotel. Thank you Liz for all you shared.”
– Andrew Dillon
“Liz is such a great dean and wonderful person! I cannot never be thankful enough for her mentoring, support and smile! To my kids, she is like their caring grandma. She often stopped by my office, talked to my kids (if they were there) about legos and hugged them. To me, she is more than an exemplar dean but also just a kind and cheerful person who always brighten your day! I’ll miss you so much, Liz! RIP!”
– Yang Wang
“Dr. Liz Liddy was more than a professor, she was a true force. When I was a student at the School of Information Studies at Syracuse University, I was one of very few women in the program. Liz supported us and encouraged us to create opportunities for others. With her guidance, another student and I founded Women in Technology at the School of Information Studies. Without her mentorship and belief in us, WIT would not have existed. Over the past 20 years, it has helped open doors for countless women pursuing studies and careers in information and technology, an important part of her legacy. Liz was kind, thoughtful, and dedicated to lifting others up. She cared deeply about her students, about women in technology, and about empowering people to reach their potential. To me, she was not only a mentor, but had also been a friend. Although I wish I had reconnected with her more in recent years, I will always be grateful for the impact she had on my life and the lives of so many others. Liz will be deeply missed and fondly remembered.
– Bevin Nittel (Subocz)
“Liz and I met as doctoral students in the early 1980s. Later, we were faculty together at Syracuse, and even later collaborated as dean-level compadres in the global information field. From the first, Liz was amazing – brilliant and bristling with energy and ideas. She was Jeff Katzer’s favorite student – with good reason! Her work in linguistics and NLP was so far ahead of anything else being done. I remember Liz driving weekly from Syracuse to Cornell to take courses and later collaborate with top linguistics faculty there. Her work on structure and determining meaning from syntax and semantics would even be considered cutting edge today in Artificial General Intelligence. Liz was also a designer and doer – developing and commercializing a NLP-based search system before the Web. Liz will be remembered for many many contributions to students, faculty, programs, research, Syracuse University, the iSchools, and the broad information field. It is not an exaggeration to say that Liz Liddy represents the very best of our field and even in academia. She did it all – award-winning, well-funded, and commercialized research, outstanding teaching and mentoring, over-the-top service contributions as Dean and acting Provost at Syracuse University. She was also a caring and wonderful friend to many many of us. Liz is more than a role model – she is the ultimate in becoming all that a person can be. To you, Liz.”
– Mike Eisenberg
“Such a great inspiration to so many. I was lucky enough to be at Syracuse while Liz was there, but knew her leading work and leadership well before that. She is missed.”
– Caroline Haythornthwaite
“Liz Liddy was one of the most influential people in my career and my life. She inspired me to think big, to embrace risk, and to grow and broaden my network and horizons continually. I remember proposing a large-scale staff initiative that required funding, risk, and even renovating space within Hinds Hall (a building that never had much space to spare). Liz didn’t just wave it through. She pushed me. She asked me to present to the faculty. She challenged the idea from every angle. And then, once she was convinced, she backed it fully. When it came time to move forward, she looked at me and said, “Well, now it is up to you. Time to deliver!” That lesson in leadership, vision paired with accountability, has stayed with me throughout my career and continues to inspire me today. Liz will be deeply missed, not just by me, but by the countless people she guided, challenged, and encouraged every day. May her influence live on. In the classrooms of Hinds Hall, across campus, and beyond.”
– Michael Clarke
“Liz will be missed dearly by all who are honored to have known her. I will remember her as an encourager and cheerleader for her mentees and colleagues.”
– JoAnne Wallingford
“So sad to hear this news. Liz was truly one of the gems of Syracuse University—open-minded, compassionate, and a tireless champion of students, alumni, and faculty alike. She played an instrumental role in shaping the legacy of the iSchool, and her warm spirit and genuine welcome were among the key reasons I chose to serve on the iSchool Advisory Board. Her impact will be felt for years to come, and she will be deeply missed.”
– Reginald Acloque
“This saddens me, as Dean Liddy was the one that took me under her wing. She was a pacifist while I was a realist. She saw my pain from war and my potential to become something better. Dean Liddy showed me what she wanted the i-school to be and the obstacles that were in her way. I respected the hell out of Elizabeth Liddy, she was always there for me and even while running a school she would always checking in on me. Even after graduating we had spoken a few times over zoom. If it wasn’t for Liddy and the team around her, I wouldn’t have graduated Syracuse University and wouldn’t be where I am today. Your warmth, ambition, and belief in others truly made you a remarkable woman and my heart weeps that you are no longer with us. This world needs more beautiful people like you in this world and I wish I had the opportunity to show you what path you have given me. You will always be in my heart and always remembered. Thank you, love your veterans advisor and friend Zack Couch”
– Zackary Couch
“It is with deep sorrow that I read about Liz’s passing this morning. Liz and I were PhD students at Syracuse – she was a year junior I think – both Jeff Katzer’s students – along with Mike who also has a note here. I can easily say that my stay in Syracuse and in the PhD program was happy largely because of my friendship with Liz. As all others have mentioned Liz was a phenomenal success in her career and reached heights that few of us can even imagine. And with Liz these were the expected – she showed the perseverance and dedication to all that she did even as a student. But most important to me is that Liz was my friend. Even though we have not been in close touch over the years, today I feel a tremendous loss. Liz, the memories are rushing in my head. Our many meals at King David, pizzas at Cosmos, chatting in your office for hours together, listening to music, hanging out in the evenings, going to the Cool Jazz festival, walking through the streets of Paris, exploring the underground city of Quebec, having tea and scones on a cold damp day in Stonehenge with Bob Oddy, lunches in DC, staying at your place in Westcott St., – so many beautiful memories. Liz my friend – you were and will always be special. My heart goes out to your family – to John D., Suzanne and Jennifer and their families. Rest in peace my friend – you have earned it well. Love, Padmini”
– Padmini Srinivasan
“Oh, my Rest in Peace. I’ll always remember her as such a vivacious , outgoing, welcoming doctoral student while we were doing our masters work. She represented and served the university and iSchool well.”
– Thomas Hill
“As an iSchool graduate student, I worried every day about how to afford life and how to gain more experience. I was trying to get to a relevant conference in my area of interest in Baltimore, but my cashflow was—a student’s cashflow. I ran into Dean Liddy at the iSchool. Something came over me, and I asked her directly if there was any support for students who want to go to conferences. Without a beat, she turned around and asked an iSchool staff member to book my ticket and lodging for the conference and then she warmly wished me well at the conference and flitted off to her next engagement. I cannot forget this simple act. For her, I’m certain supporting students was second nature, but, for a young student who was afraid and a bit too proud to ask for help, her support meant everything, which is why I will contribute to the Elizabeth D. Liddy Endowed Student Support Fund.”
– Philip Bolton Jr
“Liz was my academic advisor, my mentor, my boss at the NLP lab, and my role model. She was the best example of how you can pursue your research goals, advance your career and treasure your family above it all. She gave me advice and support when I needed it, and tactfully prompted me to see where I could improve. I remember her as the brightest and the liveliest focal point of her lab and the iSchool. You will be missed greatly, Liz.”
– Svitlana Symonenko
“Dean Liddy will be fondly remembered for her kind and innovative leadership in the iSchool, especially for believing in and supporting the vision of B.L.I.S.T.S.
May she rest in peace knowing the impact she had on so many students and peers.”
– Lisa Lindsay
“Liz Liddy was incredibly kind and supportive to me when I was a brand new junior faculty member at the iSchool in the early 2000s. Like Ping Zhang I have very fond memories of Skaneateles – where the iSchool really came to life. Liz facilitated that as smoothly as she facilitated everything else.”
– Catherine Smith
“Liz was my senior peer in the iSchool’s Library & Information Studies PhD program. I was new to the country. Liz befriended me. Decades later I met Liz when she was Dean of the iSchool. And I joined the board, because I wanted to be a part of her life again. Liz was full of courage, foresight and optimism. I was in awe of her spunk and her clarity of thought. I will miss her.”
– Kumud Srinivasan
“Liz Liddy was an incredible mentor and role model for me and many others. I met Liz when she came to Seattle as a guest speaker for the ISchool at the University of Washington. I was inspired by her research involving natural language processing and as a student suggested ways the technology could be useful in public health. That led to over 10 years of research collaboration and a lifelong friendship. Her enthusiasm and encouragement greatly influenced my professional journey. I am so grateful to have known Liz. My heart goes out to her remarkable family. She will be missed.”
– Anne Turner
“It is with great respect and deep sadness that I remember my advisor, Dr. Liz Liddy. As her doctoral student, I spent years working at the Center for Natural Language Processing and was profoundly influenced by Liz—by her personality, her work, and the way she interacted with people. Her mentorship was marked not only by intellectual generosity but also by patience and genuine care for the personal and professional growth of those she guided. I am deeply grateful for her encouragement, guidance, and her belief in me. She often reassured me with the words, “You will be fine!” She offered specific suggestions but never insisted that I accept her ideas, allowing me to grow with independence. Many of the ways I now teach and mentor my own students are what I learned from Liz. I cherish so many wonderful memories of our time together. Even after I graduated from the iSchool, we stayed in touch and often met at conferences. She would share stories about her grandchildren and always ask about my children. Liz continued to mentor me on tenure, promotion, and administration, and we often talked about the future of iSchools, how to apply for funding, food, and so many other things. Liz taught me to be brave and to embrace challenges in life. I miss you dearly, Liz.”
– Jiangping Chen