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Michele Walfred honored with Excellence in Service Award

June 6, 2017

Michele Walfred, communications specialist at the Elbert N. and Ann V. Carvel Research and Education Center in Georgetown, was honored with the 2017 Excellence in Service Award. The award was presented to her at the convocation ceremony held May 26 in Newark by the University of Delaware College of Agriculture and Natural Resources.

The award, which is presented by the college every other year, recognizes professional excellence and superior dedication. In addition, the recipient receives a $2,000 monetary award.

"Michele has significantly reached across her unit to provide outstanding service to our college. Her efforts and commitment to promoting our college are exemplary," said Mark Isaacs, director of the Carvel Center.

Michele Walfred has 16 years of service to the University of Delaware. In his nomination letter, Isaacs said Walfred began her UD career as a receptionist and earned her bachelor’s and master’s degrees while providing amazing service to the facility and the college. "In her role as communications specialist, Walfred leads the communication efforts for our Carvel Research and Education Center's research and extension programs, including Lasher Lab. She does this through numerous venues with a focus on website content, social media, press releases, videography and print media, and outreach education in the forms of seminars, workshops and trainings," Isaacs said.

In addition to Walfred's service across college programs and departments, her involvement with partnerships and outreach across state lines was noted. These included trainings and presentations with the University of Maryland Extension on Annie's Project, Mid-Atlantic Women in Agriculture, Mid-Atlantic Crop School, regional FFA and nationally with 4-H and www.eXtension.org, the latter serving as an Extension Fellow, and Innovation Creative Coach to Extension professionals in Ohio and Oregon.

In 2015, Walfred led a social media campaign on behalf of Delaware 4-H that resulted in a national first-place award of $10,000, which was used for STEM education for Delaware youth.

"Michele has an exceptional work ethic, working outside the normal work hours including many nights and weekends promoting and marketing our college and UD," Isaacs said.

For several years, Walfred served as communications chair for the Kent-Sussex Alumni Club, and she is a contributing member of UD's Delaware Diamonds Society. She has served as chair of Extension's Delaware State Fair committee and currently chairs the UD Extension Innovation team. She is a current fellow in Class IV of LEADelaware, an agriculture leadership program. In addition to her degrees, Walfred earned the UD Social Media Strategic Marketing Certificate in 2014. Walfred also serves on the board of the Delaware Press Association.

"Michele exemplifies the type of individual that the college would like to recognize for this award. I can't think of a more deserving individual," said Isaacs.

Walfred and her husband Steven live in Lewes. Together they have three grown children, Michelle and Valerie in Pennsylvania, and Kathleen and grandson Hugo in New York City.

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