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Nancy Creed, Department of Agricultural, Food, and Resource Economics’ Travel Arranger and Events Coordinator, has won the 2018 Jack Breslin Distinguished Staff Award. As one of only six people on campus to receive this year’s award, Creed was honored at a special reception at the Kellogg Center on May 21, 2018.
An employee of Michigan State University for more than 40 years, Creed now manages the travel for the department, hires and process payroll for all student and temporary employees, coordinates departmental events, processes all procurement and supply orders, all while supporting faculty, staff, and students who need general departmental help, including MSU Income Tax Schools.
“I am truly honored to have won this prestigious award,” said Creed. “Working at MSU, and spending my entire career in the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources, mostly in AFRE, has given me the opportunity to work with so many wonderful people over the years. I’ve always been given the opportunity to learn, and share my knowledge with others, which hopefully has made a difference. It truly is a great place to work. Thank you to AFRE’s Nominating Committee and the University’s Selection Committee.”
Creed has a history of leaving lasting impressions on those around her. In 2015, the faculty within AFRE recognized Creed’s contributions with a Lifetime Award for Distinguished Service — the first time in history that faculty service award was awarded to a non-faculty member.
“Nancy Creed is a mentor, a friend, and a colleague whose advice is sought by all her know her,” associate professor Robert Shupp said. “And her career has been marked by her incredible ability to adapt and improve to new responsibilities as they develop within her roles.”
“There’s no task that Nancy deems beneath her it it will help the general welfare,” AFRE professor and former associate chairperson Scott Swinton said. “When Spartans in our corner of MSU ask, “Who will?’ The answer is, ‘Nancy will.’”
Recipients of the Jack Breslin Distinguished Staff award are employees who demonstrate excellence in overall work performance, exhibit a congenial and supportive attitude promoting positive morale, provide valuable service to the university, and exhibit initiative and creative which have led to the improved operating efficiency or effectiveness of a department.
Titus Awokuse, department chairperson, said, “Nancy Creed is a very deserving recipient of the 2018 Jack Breslin Distinguished Staff Award. In addition to being very diligent and effective in her professional duties, her humility, dedication, and compassion for people makes Nancy one of the best colleagues to have as a staff member in the AFRE Department. MSU is definitely a much better place to work because of her.”
“Nancy Creed is a consummate university employee, not only through her proficiency in her duties, but by her conscientious, caring personality,” said Creed’s former supervisor Ann Robison.
The award is named in honor of Jack Breslin, who served Michigan State University as a student leader, honored athlete, top administrator and steadfast advocate. Jack was the personification of the “Spartan Spirit.” His strong and innovative leadership played a pivotal role in MSU’s growth and development as the nation’s premier land grant institution. Since 1978, 241 recipients have been honored. Creed, along with the other 2018 recipients, received a $2,500 award and were recognized with a citation at a special reception in their honor.
“After more than 40 years of making a difference at MSU, Nancy will have a long line of fans happy to congratulate her on this great honor,” said Swinton. “She’s someone who makes Michigan State University a special place.”
