Lee Milazzo, longtime book critic for the Dallas Morning News as well as teacher, bibliophile, collector, historian and editor, died on Thursday, September 10.
Lee had a long history with SMU and the libraries. He served as the university archivist, worked with the Friends of the SMU Libraries, and taught history. Many of the family members are connected to SMU as well. His wife Jeanne works in the Cox School of Business, sons Joe and John are both members of the CUL staff, and Chris works for Information Technology.
The Dean of the Central University Libraries (CUL), Gillian McCombs, has received quite a number of phone calls and emails inquiring how individuals could honor Lee. Therefore, the Central University Libraries have established a book fund as a way to memorialize him and his many contributions to the world of books. In addition, we will place an engraved brick in the Friends plaza outside the Fondren Library Center as a remembrance.
The family is very pleased with this way of remembering Lee. After contributions are received, the Milazzos will have the opportunity to help decide on the books for the libraries. John Milazzo is designing a special bookplate to adhere to the books purchased with the donations.
You may send your donation to Amy Carver, CUL Development Officer, SMU Box 750135, Dallas, TX 75275-0135. Checks should be made payable to the SMU Libraries. We would like to receive contributions by November 1 so that we can give a complete list of donors to the family.
We hope that you feel, as we do, that this is a fitting way to honor Lee.
Judith Searles
Director for Marketing and External Relations
Central University Libraries
