Pratt Mourns Loss of Three Faculty Members
Nasser Sharify, Dean Emeritus and Distinguished Professor School of Information and Library Science, with Tula Giannini, Dean of the School of Information and Library ScienceThe Pratt community lost a number of beloved faculty members over the summer. The Institute mourns the loss of Nasser Sharify, Dean Emeritus and Distinguished Professor in the School of Library and Information Science; Richard Budelis (B.F.A. Illustration ’56) active associate professor of Sculpture; and John “Dick” R. Welch (B.I.D. ’52), a former professor of Industrial Design.
Sharify served as a dean and professor in Pratt’s Graduate School of Library and Information Science from 1968-1987. In 1987, Sharify became a Distinguished Professor and Dean Emeritus of Pratt’s School of Information and Library Science.
"In his almost 20 years at Pratt as dean and professor at SILS, Nasser strengthened and grew a school at the heart of Pratt’s original mission," said Pratt President Thomas F. Schutte. "SILS would not be the leader in library and information sciences it is today if it weren’t for Nasser, who was an academic of international renown.”
Over several decades, the Nasser Sharify Lecture Series, which honored Sharify's 40-years contribution to library and information science, brought renowned speakers and academicians to Pratt’s Brooklyn and Manhattan campuses.
“At SILS we mark the passing of Nasser with both sadness and appreciation for all that he accomplished at Pratt and for librarianship internationally,” said Tula Giannini, current dean of SILS. “He will be dearly missed by his colleagues and friends at Pratt.”
Sharify was honored with the American Library Association Award in 1999, the Kaula Gold Medal in 1985—which is given annually to only one international leader or scholar in the world—and The Shah's Crown Medal in 1977.
Sharify is survived by his ex-wife Homayoun Gloria Sharify, his sister Firouzeh Ameri, his children Sharareh Cherie Goldsmith and Shahab John Sharify, and four grandchildren. A memorial gathering will take place on Saturday, November 2, from 6–8 PM at the Pratt Manhattan Campus, Room 213, 144 West 14th Street.
Richard Budelis (B.F.A. Illustration ’56), Associate Professor of Sculpture
Professor Richard Budelis, who died on July 11, joined the Pratt community as a professor in September 1969. Along with John Pai (B.I.D. ’62, M.F.A. ’64), he was a founder of Pratt’s sculpture program and developed courses in sculpture using plastic materials.
Budelis is survived by his sisters Julia Budelis and Lillian Thiede, his daughter Natalie from his previous marriage to Maxine DeSeta, and Constance Williams Budelis, his wife of 43 years.
The Department of Fine Arts plans to hold a memorial service on September 20 from 1-2 PM at The Gallery, Juliana Curran Terian Design Center. In lieu of flowers, his family has requested that 
John “Dick” R. Welch (B.I.D. ’52), Professor of Industrial Designdonations be made to Pratt Institute, to support the Sculpture program in the Department of Fine Arts.
For more on Budelis’ work and legacy, please visit The New York Times.
John “Dick” R. Welch (B.I.D. ’52), a former professor of Industrial Design, died on June 7. Following his studies at Pratt, Welch worked as a freelance designer and museum exhibition designer. He taught in the Industrial Design Department for more than 20 years before leaving Pratt in 1985. Welch is survived by his wife Gigi and brother William Joseph as well as several nieces and nephews. A memorial service was held on June 24 in Stonington, Maine.
Text: Kate Ünver
Gateway Editors
Reader Comments (3)
When you receive compliments like the one I received just the other day, its confirmation I’m in the right profession. A patron called the business office at the library and the receptionist sent me and the managers the following comment in an email: “A patron said she hadn't been in a library for years and was eager to come back after working with Laura over the phone today. She went on for several minutes explaining Laura's patience, communication skills, and attention to detail with her questions.” The receptionist told her she would pass the compliment along to the managers. She also said in her email to me and the managers, “Laura Walth has a fan club; I've gotten several such phone calls for her over the years. It's so nice to have people call to compliment vs. complain!”
My thanks to Nasser Sharify for the advice he gave me while attending Pratt Institute’s School of Library and Information Science. I will miss him and I'm sure he will be missed by many who knew him.
During the summer of 1970, between my first and second years as a student enrolled in Pratt Institute’s School of Art and Design, I worked full-time in Dr. Sharify’s office as an assistant to his secretary, which was an enriching and life changing experience.. Dean Sharify was a wonderful educator, administrator, and inspirational role model.
Libraries have always been among my very favorite places and spaces. I believe they are the most important classrooms in every school, and that community libraries are the most essential educational institutions in every town and city. Let us continue to salute and support the librarians, media specialists, and information science leaders who provide expert guidance and direction in this increasingly challenging world made more complex by ever advancing technology and the vast Internet, which does not replace libraries or teacher-librarians. Computers are tools and the Internet is a resource, both of which require expert guides – many of whom were taught by Professor Sharify.
I am grateful to Dr. Sharify for providing countless students, faculty members, and the global community with a solid path for lifelong learning and international cooperation.
After graduation, I became motivated to try to find a way to return to Pratt to study library and information science, which continues to be a passion that complements my love for art and for my family. Surely, if I could live two lives, my next one would be as a librarian.
Thank you, Professor, Dean, Dr. Sharify. Thank you, Pratt Institute.