91���

The awards recognize staff who, individually or as members of a team, have made an exceptional contribution to 91���. Any member of the campus community may make a nomination.

Nomination letters for Hanson, said 91è���� President Jonathan Lash, repeatedly mentioned her “work ethic, generosity, warmth, and dedication to the farm.

“In many ways, she’s the soul of the farm,” he said, noting that she both keeps the farm running smoothly and makes it a welcoming place for students, faculty, and staff. “She’s a role model for young women in a historically male-dominated field. Go to any farm in the Pioneer Valley, and you’ll instantly find one of Nancy’s protégés,” he said.

Those who submitted nominations for Pickles, says Lash, talked about the impact she has made at the library. From celebrating student milestones, to collaborating on library exhibits, to the research achieved for such projects as cataloging the Robert Seydel collection, her work has made a difference for countless people in the 91è���� community. 

“She’s a wonderfully thoughtful resource for those she works with, especially students,” says Lash.

Former chair and longtime member of the 91è���� Board of Trustees Blair Brown and his wife, Carol, established the awards program to recognize and provide encouragement for staff: “No school or college can function, let alone flourish, without the dedication of staff,” they said. “We recognize their dedication that has contributed to the growth of 91è����."