Longtime College of Education staff member Theresa “Tracy” Abbott was lauded for her impact with Michigan State University’s Clerical-Technical Recognition Award. Established in 2001, the award celebrates employees who assist students, faculty and staff at the university.
Abbott has been the leader of the Erickson Print & Copy Center in the College of Education for more than 17 years. In that role, she manages a variety of print projects and services on behalf of students, staff and faculty from across the university. She also helps to manage facility operations, such as addressing heating and lighting concerns; organizing the scheduling for classroom and conference spaces in Erickson Hall and IM Circle, and administering keys and other building access.
During the 2016-17 academic year, Abbott also volunteered to serve as a mentor through Spartan Project SEARCH—a school-to-work transition program for high school students with intellectual and developmental disabilities, coordinated by faculty members in the college. She was one of 10 mentors on campus.
For R. Sam Larson, the college’s assistant dean for operations and finance, this was another example of Abbott’s commitment to the “greater good.”
“Tracy coached the young woman, fully engaged her in the culture of the office and worked with staff from Michigan Rehabilitation Services throughout the internship,” Larson said in her nomination letter. “When asked if the college would participate in the program, we said: ‘yes!’ When asked who should provide the daily oversight, we said: ‘Tracy!’ We knew she was the right person to do this.”
Tracy Abbott
Upon receiving the award, which comes with $1,000 and a reception later in 2017, Abbott received many congratulatory emails from across the university. She plans to utilize the prize for home renovations—and to use the recognition to motivate her work in the college.
“Tracy exemplified everything that the College of Education is looking for in a person and an employee,” said another nomination letter from Jacob Lathrop, human resources and facilities manager for the college. “The college recognizes her for outstanding work performance, service and promoting a positive work culture and environment.”
About the award
Abbott’s well-deserved award comes from the Thomas and Concettina Gliozzo Endowment Fund for Clerical-Technical Recognition Awards.
It was established by Charles and Marjorie Gliozzo in honor of Charles’s parents Thomas and Concettina, U.S. immigrants who believed international experiences were important factors in broadening one’s mind and horizons. Charles Gliozzo was a professor in the Department of History; director of study abroad programs at MSU for 20 years and, later in his career, the assistant to the dean of international studies and programs. He is now retired from the university.