Writer: Steve Byrns, 325-653-4576, s-byrns@tamu.edu
Contact: Ann Shurgin, 979-845-2869, ahshurgin@ag.tamu.edu
COLLEGE STATION – Ann Shurgin, Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service senior writer/editor for AgriLife Communication’s Promotional Media Team at College Station, has been presented a 2014 Vice Chancellor’s Award in Excellence in the AgriLife services staff category.
The Vice Chancellor’s Award in Excellence recognizes the commitment and outstanding contributions of faculty and staff across Texas A&M AgriLife, part of the Texas A&M University System. The award was presented Jan. 6 during the Texas A&M AgriLife Conference held on the campus of Texas A&M University in College Station.
According to her nomination, Shurgin is the department’s go-to person for copy writing, editing, script writing and working on the journalistic content of educational publications in general. Her duties call her to support the Texas A&M AgriLife Vice Chancellor and Dean’s Office, the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences and its academic departments, Texas A&M AgriLife Research, AgriLife Extension, the Texas A&M Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory, and occasionally the Texas A&M Forest Service.
John Chivvis, associate director of AgriLife Communications, in nominating Shurgin for the honor, wrote: “If anyone reflects the idea of ‘excellence,’ it is Ann. Her work ranges from college overview brochures and tear sheets to website content; from Texas A&M AgriLife Research one-pagers to the Chancellor’s Briefing Book; from AgriLife Extension Centennial collateral to One-Day 4-H guides, manuals and templates; from TVMDL infographics and brochures to video scripts; and from the Vice Chancellor’s Office Land Grant Legacy book to award program script writing, Ann’s work is woven into everything we say and share about who we are.”
Chivvis added that Shurgin’s work also is reflective of her work ethic and work philosophy. He noted that she is a team player who jumps in to mentor younger writers, works with the department’s Web team on developing content and can even step in to serve as a second unit videographer when needed.
“Her work is stellar and she looks for ways to make content, copy and product even better,” wrote Chivvis. “She is one of the best at what she does, and she does it because she loves the agencies she works for and the people she works with.”
Shurgin earned a bachelor’s degree with double major, English and journalism, from East Tennessee State University, Johnson City, Tennessee. She has been with AgriLife Communications since 2004.
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