The Remarkable Connie Todd (1941-2024) Wittliff Director 1997-2010

Light seemed to follow Connie Todd everywhere. She had a natural stage presence, a gift she’d cultivated from an early age. Connie was only fourteen when she joined a prominent Austin orchestra as its lead vocalist in the 1950s. Her voice remained unforgettable to all who knew her. It flowed like a crystalline Hill Country stream, sliding over smooth rocks and sweeping around bends, always sparkling with delight.

To those of us who worked with her, the brilliant, multilingual Connie Todd exuded worldly sophistication — though of a slightly distracted variety. She favored dazzling scarves and eyeglasses, and she tried to keep her hippie-length silver hair piled into a manageable bun, though it seldom obeyed completely. She may have worn a watch, but if so, that would have been for appearances only, for I never recall her ever being aware of any fixed time. She always followed her own rhythm.

When Connie arrived as The Wittliff’s new director in 1997, the collection was still in its infancy. The staff consisted of three people – Connie and two library assistants, one of which was myself. Although the collections already abounded with notable holdings, very few people knew about the university’s “best-kept secret.” Connie set about to change that. As she said, “We needed to engage the students, staff, faculty, and public, to make them aware of the wealth of our archives and photographs.”

She succeeded by every measure. When she retired in 2010, the Wittliff Collections had become completely transformed. The staff had grown to eleven, adding archivists, curators, a development officer, a marketing coordinator, and an events coordinator. The Wittliff brought in significant new collections from Cormac McCarthy and other major writers. It hosted over 100 events annually while welcoming thousands of visitors along with hundreds of scholars each year. The Wittliff Book Series grew and flourished and our in-house newsletter, The Keystone, won numerous design awards from the Texas Association of Museums. No longer a hidden jewel, The Wittliff was gaining international recognition.

Connie Todd’s fingerprints were all over The Wittliff’s rise to prominence. As our managing archivist, Katie Salzmann, recalled, “Connie was not exactly a details person, but she was a visionary leader who created a work environment that was fun, collaborative, and creative all while holding all of us to the highest standard. Nobody wanted to disappoint Connie.” Photo Curator/Archivist Carla Ellard added, “No matter what situation we were in, Connie never heard the word, ‘no’. Everything was possible with Connie. She made it happen! She made work fun. Connie was one of a kind!”

Connie’s idiosyncrasies were part of her endearing charm. For starters, none of us ever knew exactly when she would make it into the office on a given day. But her arrival, when it came, was never quiet. She would make the rounds and check in with each staff member to chat a few moments. You could hear her bright laughter echoing down the hall, gradually making its way towards your door.

For those of us who worked with Connie, she was always more than a boss, or a manager. She was our leader, and we all became part of the same Wittliff family. This included the many dozens of student workers over the years — Connie knew all their names and life stories. One of my own family’s favorite memories of Connie involves our daughter Natalie, who as an elementary school kid would occasionally visit The Wittliff. Connie would always beckon Natalie into her office, lavishing the same attention on her that she’d bestow on a visiting writer or photographer. Connie also noticed that Natalie was continually fascinated by a vintage wooden box with intricate carved elephants that Connie kept on her desk. So, one year Connie wrapped that box up and gave it to Natalie for Christmas. Twenty years later, it remains one of her most prized possessions —largely because of her warm memories of Connie.

But Connie was no pushover. She was as tough as they come, and she was fiercely protective of her staff. We always knew she had our backs — which in turn gave us the freedom to concentrate on doing our best for The Wittliff. She also mentored and guided our careers. Knowing of my interest in producing books, she gave me increasing responsibilities for the Wittliff Book Series, then promoted me to series editor. Carla Ellard explained how Connie helped her grow as a photography curator: “I learned so much from Connie – she taught me how to ‘see’ when juxtaposing images for exhibitions. I’m grateful to have worked with her.” Katie Salzmann observed, “The entire time I worked for Connie I felt valued, challenged, and supported. She was a role model in so many ways.”

Those of us fortunate to have worked with Connie not only liked her and respected her, we came to love her. She was an amazing force in our lives that we are forever grateful for. Her sparkling presence will be missed, but her buoyant spirit lives on – and can be felt at The Wittliff — a place she helped build in her own luminous image.

— Steve Davis, with thanks to Katie Salzmann and Carla Ellard

Photo credit: Ave Bonar, 2008