{"id":20309,"date":"2026-06-10T15:00:35","date_gmt":"2026-06-10T19:00:35","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sourcelive.hr.msu.edu\/?p=20309"},"modified":"2026-06-10T15:00:36","modified_gmt":"2026-06-10T19:00:36","slug":"congratulations-to-the-2026-jack-breslin-distinguished-staff-award-recipients","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sourcelive.hr.msu.edu\/?p=20309","title":{"rendered":"Congratulations to the 2026 Jack Breslin Distinguished Staff Award Recipients!"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

The Jack Breslin Distinguished Staff Award honors six MSU support staff members annually. Colleagues submit nominations of individuals who demonstrate the qualities of Jack Breslin, who served MSU as a student leader, honored athlete, top administrator, and steadfast advocate, personifying the \u201cSpartan Spirit.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Congratulations to this year\u2019s recipients: Dana Applebee, Lisa Laughman, Murtaza Lokhandwala, Jamie Lynn Marks, Katie Pease, and Mark Rokita! These recipients display excellence in their job performance, a supportive attitude, and significant contributions to MSU. On May 12, they were honored at an awards ceremony at the new Student Recreation and Wellness Center along with recipients of the Ruth Jameyson \u201cAbove and Beyond\u201d<\/a> and Gliozzo Clerical-Technical Recognition<\/a> awards. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Dana Applebee<\/h1>\n\n\n\n

Research Administrator and Fiscal Officer, Charles Stewart Mott Department of Public Health<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Dana<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Dana Applebee is widely regarded as the steady force behind the Charles Stewart Mott Department of Public Health\u2019s remarkable growth. Colleagues describe her as a trusted partner whose financial expertise, calm leadership, and deep empathy allow complex research portfolios to thrive. One nominator shared that Dana \u2018quietly clears roadblocks, anticipates needs before they arise, and helps teams move forward with confidence.\u2019 Others emphasized that the department \u2018runs better because of Dana,\u2019 noting her ability to see both the big picture and the smallest details while supporting faculty, staff, and community partners with integrity and care.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Watch Dana\u2019s surprise reveal video on YouTube<\/a><\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Lisa Laughman<\/h1>\n\n\n\n

Training Program Developer IV, University Health and Wellbeing<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Lisa<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Lisa Laughman has transformed Spartan Resilience Education at MSU through visionary leadership and deep compassion for the Spartan community. She is credited with building scalable, trauma-informed programs that support emotional wellbeing across campus. A colleague noted that Lisa \u2018creates spaces where people feel seen, supported, and empowered,\u2019 while another highlighted her leadership during times of crisis, emphasizing that she helped Spartans \u2018process grief, manage stress, and rebuild a sense of community when it was needed most.\u2019<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Watch Lisa\u2019s surprise reveal video on YouTube<\/a><\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Murtaza Lokhandwala<\/h1>\n\n\n\n

Assistant Director, IT Services, MSU Human Resources<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Murtaza,<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

With more than two decades of service, Murtaza Lokhandwala has shaped critical HR and payroll systems that support employees across MSU. Nominators consistently highlighted his ability to pair deep technical expertise with humility and care, describing him as the person who \u2018makes things possible where most would not.\u2019 His leadership on large-scale system migrations and his commitment to mentoring others reflect a quiet but transformational impact on the university.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Watch Murtaza\u2019s surprise reveal video on YouTube<\/a><\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Jamie Lynn Marks<\/h1>\n\n\n\n

Administrative Business Professional, Biosystems and Agricultural Engineering<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Jamie<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Jamie Lynn Marks is described as a trusted expert, advocate, and problem solver whose initiative consistently exceeds expectations. Colleagues shared that she \u2018leads by example\u2019 and is often the first call for complex HR or facilities challenges. One letter emphasized that she is \u2018among the top staff members I have worked with in over 30 years,\u2019 praising her judgment, confidentiality, and unwavering commitment to improving systems for the benefit of faculty, staff, and students.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Watch Jamie\u2019s surprise reveal video on YouTube<\/a><\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Katie Pease<\/h1>\n\n\n\n

Senior Business Operations Manager, Facility for Rare Isotope Beams<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Katie<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Katie Pease is widely viewed as the glue that holds FRIB together, particularly during high-stakes federal reviews and executive engagements. Nominators praised her professionalism, strategic coordination, and ability to unite people across the laboratory. One colleague described her as the \u2018quiet force who elevates the work of others,\u2019 while another noted that external reviewers routinely single out FRIB\u2019s review process as among the best in the DOE system due to Katie\u2019s leadership. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Watch Katie\u2019s surprise reveal video on YouTube<\/a><\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mark Rokita<\/h1>\n\n\n\n

Operations Supervisor II, Infrastructure Planning and Facilities<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Mark<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Mark Rokita is known across campus for his \u2018start with yes\u2019 approach and his exceptional leadership of the IPF Set-Up Crew. Colleagues consistently highlighted his reliability, responsiveness, and ability to deliver under pressure. One nominator shared that \u2018we would not be able to accomplish most of what we do without Mark,\u2019 while another called him \u2018a pillar of excellence at MSU\u2019 whose leadership and customer-first mindset make IPF shine. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Watch Mark\u2019s surprise reveal video on YouTube<\/a><\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Congratulations again to all award recipients! Learn more about the Jack Breslin Distinguished Staff award on the HR webpage, Jack Breslin Distinguished Staff Award<\/a><\/strong>, where you can also view the event program<\/a><\/strong> and a recording of the full event<\/a><\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n