The following MIT community members have been recognized for going the extra mile. Thank someone today.
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Ramona Allen
When I listened to Ramona Allen speaking at the most recent Town Hall I felt and thought a few things. First, that the people who chose her for her job couldn't have chosen better, second, listening to her talk she was humble and really empathic towards support staff and third, reassured that she understands what this adjustment to remote working is for many of us. Thank you Ramona!!
Rachel Batista, NSE
RLE Headquarters
Thank you to everyone in RLE Headquarters--from the top administrators who are tackling the big issues moving forward to all the staff members working on the details and keeping our labs running. There is no question that they don't seem to find an answer to, or a solution that will fit. Thank you all for your dedication in supporting us admins and our research groups. Can't wait to see you when we return.
Dorothy Fleischer, RLE
Dorothy Curtis
We would like to thank Dorothy for being available during a deadline at all hours. While imparting her vast knowledge of the system, she was courteous, professional and kind. She navigated us through a complex process, and explained the maze of guidelines and principles with exacting detail and a healthy side of humor. We are grateful to Dorothy. MIT is lucky to have her on its team.
Diane Ramirez-Riley, Schwarzman College of Computing
David Elwell & ISO Staff
David an the ISO team have answered a million "what if this happens" questions for concerned students and staff. Always with empathy and positivity. I especially appreciate David's willingness to join town hall meetings with students and help them understand their options.
Maura Herson, MIT Sloan
Tasker Smith
Tasker was chosen by Professor Marty Culpepper to be a member of a specialized team working on and off campus to design and prototype PPE and COVID-19 related equipment. Over the past two months Tasker has been deeply involved in these extremely important activities and I would like to acknowledge his extraordinary effort skills and talent as a designer and builder but most of all for his dedication and compassion to keep the MIT community safe.
Thank you Tasker
Thank you Tasker
Steve Haberek, ME Building 3 Pappalardo Lab
Judit Pokos
She is a proactive team member who has helped us a lot with her ability to see through complex situations.
Klara Orsos, Communications
OVC Desktop Support
Donyatta, Anthony, Paul, and Terre have been outstanding as we have needed numerous help sessions to get our home computers in shape to work remotely. They have been patient and quick to respond. I could not ask for better IT support!
Jennifer Smith, Campus Activities Complex/DSL
Beatriz Cantada
For "walking the talk." Being an awesome remote mentor, and remaining committed to equity, inclusion, and authenticity.
Rachel Ornitz, ICEO
SEED Academy Staff and Instructors
In early March, our SEED Academy team had to quickly take our in-person program, currently provided to 135 middle and high-school students from local public schools, and relaunch it online. This 'change of plans' required everyone to be quick in our response, creative, and attuned to issues around equity and access for our students. We conducted our last online session this past Saturday and students were so grateful for the opportunity to continue to engage as a community through these uncertain times. I really appreciate all of the hard-work from the entire team to keep this transformative program going, as well as, the patience and engagement of the students as we made this transition.
Eboney Hearn, MIT OEOP
Zan Barry and Jimmy Doan
Zan and Jimmy, thank you for all the incredible Super Coaching you provide for us coaches!!!
Carol Matsuzaki, DAPER
Heather Williams
Heather has done an excellent job of keeping the lines of communication open in the School of Science during these last several weeks of working in a remote environment. She has found ways to maintain connections within the science community through regular email updates, zoom check-ins, and offering Learn@Lunch meetings. Thank you Heather!
Heidi Demers, Laboratory for Nuclear Science
Executive Education Operations Team
In a matter of days, the team pivoted and shifted spring open enrollment and custom programs to a live online format. We had a few members, Amy Davagian, Bella DiMambro and Jaclyn Molewyk, step up to help lead the charge, but the entire operations team dove right in. Endless hours were spent editing websites, creating processes and documentation and crafting communications. The team upskilled themselves in Zoom and then went on to train other staff, faculty and participants. They've now gone on to managing a complimentary webinar series to engage participants until our summer season kicks off in June. It was inspiring to witness the collaboration, innovation and leadership! Well done team!
Rachel Hutton, Sloan Executive Education
Elizabeth Hawley
Elizabeth is endlessly helpful on every project she works on, and is asked to work on. She is upbeat, resourceful and a never-ending font of good ideas. I am grateful that I get to work with her so much. Thank you for all you do and never change!
Cori Champagne, HR
Jared and Laurie Berezin
The handmade face mask was a great reminder that people still care during these days with social distancing! You guys are the best!!!
Anonymous
Brian O'Rourke & Jack McGlashing
Brian and Jack consistently have an "I'd be happy to do it" attitude and go out of their way to pitch in and help their colleagues. Thank you both for your roles in sorting and getting important documents to me so LNS business could continue efficiently.
Heidi Demers, Laboratory for Nuclear Science
Pamela Knop, Business Manager
We all know that life is all about the little, meaningful things. You started in this role at a very difficult time. However your weekly missives have been educational and enjoyable, and they keep all of us upbeat and bonded. Thank you for reaching out to all of us and offering all the right ingredients -- hope, optimism, awesome observations, coupled with meaningful information that we need.
Anonymous, Contracting Services Department, Lincoln Laboratory
Peggy Bryan
As a international scholar at MIT, I was concerned about the continuity of my research activities in these chaotic times. Peggy has, over recent weeks, worked hard to get me the answers that I needed on my employment situation and to ensure that I have stability in my work and personal life. At a moment in which health, finances, and politics are ever more affected by chaos, Peggy provided me with a grounding and hopeful counterpoint. Colleagues like Peggy are hard to come by and invaluable to succeeding in what we do at MIT.
Daniel Gallagher, Urban Studies and Planning
Michael DeBenedictis
Campus Police Officer Michael DeBenedictis exemplifies what a good police officer should do: enforce laws and look out for a community's safety while also showing courtesy, kindness, and compassion. Thank you.
Pamela Siska, Writing, Rhetoric and Professional Communication
Dillan Cohen, Sean Motherway, Karma Mulug, and Michael Seaberg
Thank you for moving so many crates and boxes from Medical to W34. You solved a major logistics problem for us, and have been a pleasure to work with.
Ruth Evensen, MIT Medical - Purchasing
Christopher J. Brown
Chris was hired as a Financial Assistant in our department HQ's office and, as such, spends the majority of his day dealing with financial matters. Having said so, he always stands at the ready to pitch in wherever needed, be it something as mundane as moving tables/set up for an event, to something more complex such as technical support. As we all transitioned to online communication in a matter of days, Chris learned Zoom and Webex in the blink of an eye, and subsequently helped his Biology colleagues install the platforms, offered one-on-one sessions, and even conducted a formal training session for all staff. In no way is technical support of this type part of Chris' normal job, but this effort is indicative of his can-do, ever-generous nature to zoom up to the plate and provide help.
Rebecca Chamberlain, Biology
Our Students
I want to thank our Intro to Making students for remaining positive, energetic, and engaged while persevering through what I know are incredibly difficult situations to make fun, awesome, and inspiring projects for our class - even with very few tools and methods at their disposal. You all are amazing!
Angelina Jay, Project Manus - Intro to Making
Santiago Benavides
Thank you for running and then transitioning to hosting the WhizKey seminars virtually!
Rohini Shivamoggi, EAPS
Julia Wilcots
Thank you for being an awesome ESAC president!
Rohini Shivamoggi, EAPS
Patrick Beaudry and Diana Dumit
Thank you for organizing and hosting virtual meetings for your peers to hang out!
Rohini Shivamoggi, EAPS
Caue Borlina
Thank you for organizing and continuing to run EATS virtually! The seminars have been fun and I've learned a lot from them.
Rohini Shivamoggi, EAPS
Graduate Student Advisory Group to the Faculty Search Committee
Thank you for organizing virtual meetings, explanatory handouts, and so many opportunities for students and postdocs to give feedback and become involved in an important process.
Rohini Shivamoggi, EAPS
Margaret Duffy and Sydney Sroka
Thank you for running and coming up with fun activities for virtual cookie hour!
Rohini Shivamoggi, EAPS
Meredith O'Toole
Thank you to Meredith O'Toole for sewing and delivering over 50 homemade face masks for OER staff and their families!
Anonymous, MIT Sloan - OER
LL COVID-19 Task Force
Thank you to the MIT Lincoln Laboratory LL COVID-19 Task Force team for keeping the Lab community informed during these times of uncertainty. It is reassuring to know that the continued safety and well-being of Lab employees is of first and foremost importance. I feel certain that I can speak on behalf of all Lab employees when saying that we appreciate all that you are doing to keep us informed and safe!
Ellen Beachy, MIT Lincoln Laboratory, HR
Virginia Healy-Tangney
Virginia has done a brilliant job piloting a new high touch course for the MBA students this year, and with the stressful transition to the virtual world she has not missed a beat. She continues to build an incredibly strong cohort among her students, her sessions support vulnerability and transparency, and she communicates directly with the students outside the course both individually and through incredibly detailed followup Canvas announcements throughout the week. We have heard glowing reports from students and have been personally impressed as well with her dedication to the student's experience - both before and after the transition to virtual learning - and we couldn't be prouder to support her! We know this work has been stressful for her personally, and want to let everyone know how lucky we are to have her as a Sloanie!
Dawn, Nelson, Tracy, Abby, and Allison, The Leadership Center