KLAMM SERVICE AWARD 
849 
The Wilson Ornithological Society, like most 
scientific societies, relies upon the contributions 
of countless volunteers who participate in com¬ 
mittees, review articles, and serve as officers and 
council members. Without people who are willing 
to contribute in a myriad of ways, our societies 
would not move forward, our journals would not 
be published, and our grams would not be 
awarded. This year, we are pleased to present 
the Klamm Service Award to a couple who 
generously served the Wilson Ornithological 
Society for more than tw r o decades, and who have 
had lasting impacts both on the society and on 
ornithology through their contributions. 
Charles and Leann Blem have been an amazing 
team in all aspects of their lives. This husband and 
wife team taught together, worked together on 
studies of Prothonotary Warbler (Protonotaria 
dtrea) breeding biology, and served the Wilson 
Ornithological Society together. In 1987. Charlie 
"is elected Editor of the Wilson Bulletin, a 
position he held for 10 years. During his tenure, 
submissions to the Wilson Bulletin increased and 
Charlie was able to improve the quality of the 
journal by being more selective in the articles he 
accepted. As an editor. Charlie tried to be honest 
but constructive and encouraging with his criti¬ 
cism. His supportive approach to the publication 
process encouraged and often mentored authors, 
especially new authors: thus. Editor Blem helped 
launch the careers of many ornithologists whose 
first foray into publication was in the Wilson 
bulletin. Charlie could not have handled that task 
jlone and, from the beginning, Leann served as an 
Assistant Editor for the Wilson Bulletin. In his 
annual reports. Charlie regularly thanked Leann 
for her efforts in keeping the editorial office 
running smoothly and for catching many of the 
errors that could plague a publication. 
In 1997, Charlie was elected to the Wilson 
Ornithological Society Council and in 1999 he 
was elected Second Vice-President of the Society. 
He succeeded to First Vice President in 2001 and 
to President of the Society in 2003. During the 
years he served on the Council. Charlie contrib¬ 
uted generously of his time. As Editor, he chaired 
the Edwards’ Prize Committee for 10 years, 
served for several years on the Student Travel 
Awards Committee, the Student Presentation 
Awards Committee, die Research Awards Com¬ 
mittee. and the Nice Award Committee, continued 
to referee numerous articles, and regularly 
contributed to the Van Tyne Library. His 
involvement in the Society w'hile continuing 
active research and teaching served as a model 
for young academics. 
Leann quietly also served the society exten¬ 
sively during that lime. After serving on the 
committee evaluating student presentations for 
several years, she chaired the Student Presenta¬ 
tions Award Committee for two years. She later 
chaired the Student Travel Awards Committee for 
two years and the Research Awards Committee 
for two years. One of Leann’s most lasting 
contributions was changing the way that student 
presentations were evaluated. She prepared the 
documents that the committee used to evaluate 
presentations and provided students with feed¬ 
back about their presentations, so that even the 
students who didn’t receive awards could benefit 
from the experience. 
The Blems have demonstrated that beside a 
great man is often a great woman, or vice versa. 
As a team, Leann and Charlie have helped mold 
the Wilson Ornithological Society. Therefore, it is 
with heartfelt respect and gratitude that the 
Wilson Ornithological Society awards the 2011 
William and Nancy Klamm Service Award to 
Charles and Leann Blem.—Sara R. Morris 
(Chair). Richard C. Banks, Robert C. Beason, 
Robert L. Curry, E. Dale Kennedy, and Jerome A. 
Jackson (Klamm Service Award Committee). 
