Florida State University honored the creative and intellectual contributions of its faculty and staff Thursday during the 2026 FSU Authors Day.
This year’s event recognized 130 books and compositions published by FSU faculty and staff over the past year, representing more than 50 areas and departments across the university.
The event, a collaboration between the Office of Faculty Development and Advancement and FSU Libraries, turned the historic Beth Moor lounge into a gallery of academic achievement. Attendees spent the afternoon recognizing the collection of scholarly monographs, textbooks, poetry collections, art books, and one book for children.
“The books on display reflect the remarkable depth and range of our academic community,” said FSU Provost Jim Clark. “They include groundbreaking research and thoughtful analysis, powerful creative works and essential textbooks. Each one represents years of dedication, curiosity and perseverance.”
The reception recognized the scholars and the support systems that stand by them through the long hours of research and the creative process, celebrating the completion of these individual journeys while marking a turning point in the life of each publication.
“Writing the book is only half the battle,” said Carrie Cooper, dean of FSU Libraries. “The next phase is ensuring that scholarly works are seen, cited and celebrated. FSU Libraries plays a pivotal role in promoting and providing access to this work by providing the tools to maximize author visibility, ensuring research remains discoverable for scholars far beyond our university community.”
Authors connected and discussed their research processes with peers from across campus. Among the rows of displayed books, faculty and staff shared insights into the years of archival research, data collection and creative drafting that produced their finished volumes.
“This event demonstrates the output of its faculty and shows how the university supports us in recognizing the importance of what we do,” said Dave Gussak, professor of Art Therapy and director of the Institute for the FSU Arts & Art Therapy. “I think it’s a wonderful way for all of us to interact with each other, see the wide expanse, and realize how wonderful it is to contribute to this large community.”
View the full list of those honored on the FSU Libraries Blog. For more information, visit the FSU Libraries or the Office of Faculty Development and Advancement webpages.