Associate Registrar Creech Honored with 2014 John Marshall Award
John Marshall Award Dean Douglas awarded this year's John Marshall Award to Associate Registrar Chris Creech. Photo by Gretchen Bedell
“One of the unsung heroes of the Law School who truly gives meaning to the phrase ‘Grace under pressure.’”
That’s how Dean Davison M. Douglas describes Chris Creech, Associate Registrar at William & Mary Law School.
Douglas praised Creech and bestowed upon her the John Marshall Award during William & Mary Law School's Diploma Ceremony on Sunday, May 11. This award is given each year to a member of the faculty or staff who have demonstrated character, leadership, and a spirit of selfless service to the Law School community.
The award honors the achievements of John Marshall (1755-1835), the fourth Chief Justice of the United States, who is credited with laying the foundations of American constitutional law. Marshall was among the first students to study law under the tutelage of George Wythe at William & Mary.
Creech joined the Law School in 2001, and has been associate registrar since 2008. Describing her as “an overwhelming favorite” of the Law School community, Douglas read some quotes from the students who nominated her.
“Chris has been so wonderful to the students. She’s always willing to help the students, particularly during registration, which can be a stressful time. I don’t know what we would have done without her.”
“Chris, selflessly, pleasantly, and patiently, deals with our many neuroses, and does so with a smile on her face.”
“Chris puts up with 600 Type-A law students trying to get into classes every semester, but somehow she maintains her cool and shows an endless amount of kindness.”
Before presenting the Marshall Award, Douglas provided his own perspective on Creech’s dedication.
“I’m frequently one of the last people to leave the Law School at night, and quite often I’m leaving Chris Creech still in the building,” he said. “She has an amazing commitment to the goodwill of the students and to the success of the Law School.”
About William & Mary Law School
Thomas Jefferson founded William & Mary Law School in 1779 to train leaders for the new nation. Now in its third century, America's oldest law school continues its historic mission of educating citizen lawyers who are prepared both to lead and to serve.