Wellness Awards: 2023 Transformational and Holistic Wellness Award Recipients
Each year, Creighton University Employee Wellness asks members of the Creighton community to share the inspiration that they’ve witnessed in their colleagues who have prioritized, not only the Jesuit values we cherish, but have taken action and have positively impacted the health and well-being of others or themselves.
This year, Employee Wellness congratulations Sue Selde, recipient of the 2023 Holistic Wellness Award, and Sarah Stapp, recipient of the 2023 Transformation Award.
Holistic Wellness Award: Sue Selde
This award recognizes an employee who exemplifies the Jesuit value of cura personalis (care of the whole person) in his or her integrated care of the body, mind and spirit.
About Sue Selde
Sue Selde, academic success counselor in the College of Nursing, is one of the kindest, most sincere people you will ever meet. She works with students every day and challenges them to not only do their best but to be their best.
When Sue meets with students, she helps them create a schedule that focuses on studying and making sure that they are prioritizing healthy eating, sleep and exercise into their daily lives, and she models it. Students see Sue working out at the Kiewit Fitness Center during her lunch time, knowing how busy her schedule can be.
Sue understands the importance of physical wellness, but she recognizes that emotional and spiritual well-being play as essential role in wellness. In many faculty and staff’s opinions, Sue is synonymous with cura personalis. She lives this in her personal life and has perfectly woven this into her professional life as she mentors students.
Transformation Award: Sarah Stapp
This award recognizes an employee who now leads a healthier lifestyle and has made a significant health transformation as a result of participating in Creighton University’s wellness program.
About Sarah Strapp
"Anything is possible if you set your mind to it" is the lesson Sarah Stapp is teaching to her 10-year-old daughter. But rather than asking her to simply believe those words, Sarah has decided to walk the talk on body transformation through a committed use of dumbbells, treadmills and protein shakes.
In 2022, Sarah decided she wanted to train to become a female bodybuilder with the goal to enter a bodybuilding contest in 2023. One of her motivations was to encourage her daughter and give her a tangible example of what hard work could accomplish, including multiple visits to the gym every day, healthy eating at every meal, and ultimately, the total body transformation.
For nearly a year, Sarah’s daughter has been given proof that when there is a will there is a way. Sarah’s hope is that she will develop a positive, hardworking mindset that will serve her well as she grows older. What Sarah may not have intended was that she’d be the source of inspiration for many at Creighton as well.
Others, inspired by her determination, have been motivated to revamp their wellness goals, started exercising and eating better. With her first bodybuilding competition soon, she is ready and no matter where she places, she has already been a genuine source of morale and positivity at work and undoubtedly the hero of her little girl.