A profile of Ben Igwe, INFO’s first Black PhD graduate
Hornbake Library, a University library in College Park, Maryland
Ben Igwe grew up in a rural village in southeastern Nigeria as a member of the Igbo Tribe. During his early years, he witnessed Nigeria’s independence from Britain and the ensuing civil war. Against this fraught backdrop, Igwe worked as a library clerk with the British Council in Nigeria, and in the early 1960s was admitted to the Institute of Librarianship in the University of Ibadan where he earned a diploma in librarianship in 1965. This accomplishment led to his employment with the Eastern Nigeria Regional Library Board, a position that marked a turning point in his life.
While a student, Igwe formed a friendship with an American librarian, Glenn Sitzman, who was on a Ford Foundation assignment at the Nigerian National Library in Lagos. Sitzman returned to the United States during the civil war and was employed as a librarian with Clarion State College in Pennsylvania. After the war, he extended an extraordinary opportunity to Igwe. In a letter, he posed a simple yet life-changing question: “Ben, would you like to come to America to study?” Igwe decided without hesitation to pursue this chance.
Sitzman not only facilitated the application process for Igwe but also secured a tuition waiver, easing the financial burden of studying abroad. This act of kindness and belief in his potential propelled Igwe towards a path that would broaden his horizons and change and enrich his life.
Over the next few years, he earned his bachelor’s in history and his master’s in library science from Clarion State College, now Clarion University of Pennsylvania.
Continuing His Education
Igwe cultivated a strong appetite for learning and wanted to advance his education even further. “I said, well, I’m in America. Let me get all the education I can get before going back home to Africa,” he says. He explored doctoral programs, particularly in international comparative librarianship. One of his lecturers mentioned Professor Paul Wasserman at the University of Maryland College of Information (then the College of Library and Information Services [CLIS]), who specialized in international librarianship.
Determined to pursue this path, Igwe visited Wasserman. Their meeting was promising, and Igwe applied for the doctoral program, hoping Wasserman would be his advisor. His application was successful, and Igwe began his doctoral studies in library science in August 1977 at CLIS.
Under Wasserman’s mentorship, Igwe spent the next four years immersed in his studies and research. Their relationship was one of mutual respect and support, which provided Igwe with a solid foundation for his academic journey. His persistence paid off when he graduated in May 1981, becoming the only PhD graduate in the library science program that year and the first Black individual to achieve this distinction.
Since its founding, the school aimed to bring information to underserved communities and broaden the library profession’s inclusivity and Igwe was part of that effort. Wasserman encouraged faculty and students to be leaders in demanding social responsibility be a cornerstone of librarianship, marking a shift towards activism in the field.
Reflecting on his graduation, Igwe says, “I felt good. I had never been to that kind of graduation before. I said, who’s going to share it with me when I come out on the platform? My people weren’t there.” Despite the absence of his family, Igwe received the same applause as his peers, filling him with immense pride. His achievements validated his decision to pursue extensive education in the U.S., embodying a personal triumph and a historic milestone for library science.
Career Highlights
After completing his doctoral studies, Igwe decided to work in the U.S. before returning to Nigeria. He found an opportunity at the DC Public Library System, joining a staff of over 400. Remarkably, only the director and Igwe held a PhD in library science among the staff. His expertise caught the attention of the library administration, making him one of the rare individuals for whom the organization applied to secure a permanent residence green card. Igwe explains, “They argued that I was an expert in African studies in library science and boom, shortly after, I had my green card.”
With his green card secured, Igwe returned to Nigeria the following year, eager to impart his knowledge by teaching at a Nigerian University. He returned to the U.S. a few years later and embarked on a long and fruitful career with the District of Columbia Public Library System, Howard University, and the University of the District of Columbia. During his 22-year tenure, he rose through the ranks to become a regional branch librarian with the DC Public Library System, retiring in 2008.
In retirement, Igwe devotes himself to writing, drawing inspiration from his own life experiences. His award-winning first novel, “Against the Odds,” tells the story of an African student navigating the cultural shocks of studying in the U.S. This theme resonates deeply with Igwe’s personal journey of cultural adaptation and academic triumph. The sequel, “A Matter of Identity,” speaks to the human condition and continues to explore themes of personal identity, culture, individuality, autonomy, and the choices we make.
Igwe resides in the city of Owerri, the capital of the Imo State of Nigeria. He spends part of every year in the DC area where a part of his large family lives.