Kevin Shirley Named 2026 Ambassador Award Recipient

Kevin Shirley, co-affiliate coordinator for National History Day Georgia, is this year’s Ambassador Award honoree.

Annually, GALILEO honors an educator, librarian, or library staff from across the state who goes the extra mile to advocate for GALILEO and lifelong learning opportunities in their schools, universities, or communities.

The award was announced in April at the 2026 GALILEO Annual Conference.

Shirley is the Ethel Dallis Hill Professor of History at LaGrange College, where he has been a faculty member since 1998.

A medievalist by training, his research focuses on Anglo-Norman and early Angevin history, he teaches courses in pre modern/modern Europe, the Mediterranean, Southwest Asia and North Africa.

He also serves as a coordinator for National History Day Georgia, promoting student engagement through history and the use of GALILEO.

“You’ll find no one more passionate and kind about promoting us and our mission in the context of what he does,” said Russell Palmer, a GALILEO staff member.

Thank you to Kevin Shirley for being a steward of GALILEO, Georgia’s virtual library!