David Wallace named 2025 Fellow of the Society of American Archivists

University of Michigan School of Information clinical associate professor David Wallace has been named a 2025 fellow of the Society of American Archivists (SAA). The distinction is the highest honor bestowed on individuals by SAA and is awarded for outstanding contributions to the archives profession.

An SAA fellowship is awarded to individuals who demonstrate unwavering “dedication, devotion, and faithfulness to archives and the archival profession.” 

Wallace will be celebrated at the annual SAA Archives Records conference in August. 

“It's a real honor to be recognized by the Society of American Archivists as a Fellow,” Wallace says. “UMSI has given me tremendous opportunities over the past three decades to grow as a faculty member and scholar. I am truly grateful to all the students I have worked with and the colleagues whose support has meant so much over the years.” 

As a newly minted SAA Fellow, Wallace joins ranks with UMSI associate professor Ricky Punzalan (2023) and emeritus faculty Francis Blouin (1986), Margaret Hedstrom (1992), Paul Conway (1997) and Beth Yakel (1999).

Since becoming a clinical associate professor at UMSI in 2013, Wallace has taught courses in archival theory, practice and ethics. In 2015, he earned an excellence in instruction award, and from 1998 to 2007, he worked with students and local archivists at the University of Fort Hare collections of anti-apartheid liberation movement archives. From 2015 to 2020, as part of UMSI's Global Information Engagement Program, he supervised dozens of heritage and social justice projects in South Africa.

One supporter of Wallace’s work, wrote that Wallace has “spent nearly thirty years challenging our profession with important work and tough questions. He has the extraordinary ability to work with colleagues, students, and scholars alike—supportive, encouraging, and personable.”

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Learn more about David Wallace by visiting his UMSI faculty profile.