A Columbus native and licensed clinical psychologist will become the newest member of the Bartholomew County Public Library’s board.
Dr. Dawn Doup-Pandit will succeed Billie Whitted as one of two board members appointed by the Bartholomew County commissioners.
Over the past year, there have been many library board meetings where some individuals have advocated certain teen section books be moved to another area or banned from the facility, while others decried those sentiments as censorship.
Some county officials suggest the controversy may have motivated a number of candidates that Commissioner Tony London described as “quality people” to apply for the seat. After serving four terms on the board, Whitted is prevented from seeking another consecutive term. Her term expires April 18.
Doup-Pandit says she hopes to learn her responsibilities from other board members.
“I look forward to upholding the mission of the library and reflecting the values of our community,’ she said.
In announcing their choice Monday, London described Doup-Pandit as “an absolute gem.”
As she was growing up, the daughter of construction company president David Doup and his wife, Wilma, was an enthusiastic 4-H competitor. After graduating from Columbus North High School in 1994, Doup-Pandit received her bachelor’s in psychology from Hanover College. She obtained her professional training at the University of Indianapolis, where she earned her Master’s degree in Clinical Psychology in 2002 and became a Doctor of Psychology in 2009.
The 46-year-old mental health professional is owner of the Doup Psychology Group LLC in Columbus, as well as a founder of Foundations Dyslexia and Learning Center of Columbus, LLC. She largely works with children and adults with behavioral, emotional, and developmental disorders.”
In serving her community, Doup-Pandit is a co-founder of “Sidekicks,” a running and walking group in Columbus for teens and young adults with special needs. She’s also an athlete herself, having made multiple runs in the Mill Race Marathon. Doup-Pandit also volunteers for the Fairlawn Presbyterian Church and the Lincoln-Central Neighborhood Family Center, where her sister, Diane Doup, has long served as community outreach coordinator.
The newest member of the library’s board of trustees married Shounak S. Pandit in 2016. The couple has two children.
