Thank You to These Community Members

The following MIT community members have been recognized for going the extra mile. Thank someone today.
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March 17, 2020

CARE Team

The crisis and quick response necessitated by COVID-19 and the move-out highlighted the critical work the CARE Team does on a regular basis, as well as the compassion they bring to such work. When some students were asked to self-isolate in early February, I saw the CARE Team working non-stop to help such students feel supported, cared for, and appreciated.
Anonymous, SSAW
March 17, 2020

MIT Medical Communications Team

Three cheers to the MIT Medical Communications Team for spending a Sunday to create an incredible information graphic that explains what to do if you have had a possible exposure to COVID-19. In less than 24 hours, more than 64K people had viewed it. The number keeps climbing! There's also a full poster to download and print. Check it out at: https://medical.mit.edu/sites/default/files/COVID-19_Flow_Chart.pdf
David Tytell, MIT Medical
March 17, 2020

Brad Badgley

Brad Badgley is associate dean and director of FSILGs (fraternities, sororities and independent living groups). Brad has distinguished himself in MIT's response to the novel coronavirus, and over the last week has worked for days at a time without sleep to look out for the entire undergraduate population of the FSILGs.
I've never seen such devotion to duty from a university administrator. Brad is an example who we should all strive to emulate.
Eric Cigan, SB II '83, SM II '84; Board member/Treasurer, Association of Independent Living Groups
March 17, 2020

Suzanne Blake

Thank you to Suzanne and team for enabling the MIT community to respond quickly and swiftly paving the way for many other universities and communities around the country to do the same.
Julie Newman, Office of Sustainability
March 17, 2020

Akil Middleton, '08, SM '10

Akil serves as Chair of the Association of Independent Living Groups (AILG), the alumni-led corporation that supports MIT's fraternity, sorority and independent living group (FSILG) system. Through the current crisis, Akil has taken many hours from his career and community to provide leadership to AILG and provide timely communications during this insanely hectic period. We've been much better able to advocate for the FSILG community and provide them with support through Akil's ongoing efforts.
Eric Cigan, SB II '83, SM II '84; Board member/Treasurer, Association of Independent Living Groups
March 17, 2020

Dr Cecilia Stuopis

Dr. Stuopis is the Medical Director for MIT Medical. Over the last two months she has spent countless hours developing and executing MIT's response to the novel coronavirus as part of her position at MIT Medical. What I see firsthand is her involvement with Association of Independent Living Groups (AILG), the alumni-led corporation that supports MIT's fraternity, sorority and independent living group (FSILG) system. Cecilia has been invaluable in her support to AILG, providing information to us that we we can share with our undergrad and alum communities. It's allowed us to be a key resource for our community and helped us understand MIT's response more fully.
Eric Cigan, Alum (SB II '83, SM II '84) and Board Member/Treasurer for AILG
March 17, 2020

Yolanda Lau ‘02

She jumped to action to mobilize alumni and organized a form to connect students in need to alumni sponsors in during the initial uncertainty of MITs notice of closure. This demonstrates not only compassion in action, but strong leadership and agility. Within hours of MIT announcing closure, while I was still in shock worrying about how quickly everything was devolving, I received the form she had made inviting me to not just sit by and lament, but to take action in helping students in need.

(I do not know her personally)
Brian Yue, Alum
March 17, 2020

Stephanie Toews-Moeling, Tracy Gabridge, Chris Bourg and the entire Libraries' Emergency Management Team

The Libraries' Emergency Management Team was pulled together early last week and staff worked tirelessly to communicate with our employees, set up services, keep everyone safe, and maintain sanity. Stephanie and Tracy, especially, pulled heavy loads to be sure we were systematically covering all the bases.
Rachael Weisz, Libraries
March 17, 2020

Libraries Emergency Management Team

This team synthesized input from so many groups on campus - Libraries staff, HR, MIT leadership, the greater MIT community, and more. They made difficult choices amid chaotic time, rolled with the changes, and did everything possible to advocate for the safety of staff and the needs of the MIT community. They were fast acting, tireless in their work, and collaborative in making us all part of the solutions. It was not an easy task but we felt better for their efforts and advocacy. Thank you!
Cassandra Silvia, Libraries
March 17, 2020

Kim Haberlin

You somehow get so much done for so many people, and you do it with grace, patience, and compassion. Thank you, Kim!
Communications colleagues
March 17, 2020

Mathew Ganatra

Ganatra has put in an incredible amount of work and time to make sure that the residents of an entire dorm didn't have to worry about storage. He has accommodated the needs of residents to an incredible level, and is truly an incredible person for doing so.
Anonymous
March 17, 2020

MIT French House alums + GRA

A huge thank you to French House alums and our GRA Rebecca for being nothing short of amazing during this time of crisis. A huge shoutout to Jesse for always checking up on us and helping find housing for those unable to get exemptions, to Emily for helping us pack, feeding us, and volunteering at the New House front desk when all the desk workers were swamped, and to Rebecca and Akito for their on-the-clock support, amazing pod-packing skills, and all the hours dedicated to making sure that we are well-taken care of. Thank you!!
Anonymous, MIT French House
March 16, 2020

David Elwell

Many thanks to David for the excellence he brings to every part of the vast and complicated position of Dean and Director of the International Student Office. He has done an admirable job of preparing us for the particular demands of the MIT international student population at this time. He spent many hours paying particular attention to each student's needs and responding to it. Thank you David for your conscientiousness and assiduousness.
Sylvia Hiestand, International Student Office, (OVC)
March 16, 2020

MIT Custodial Staff

SHOUT OUT... THANK YOU! We saw you in our labs keeping us as clean as possible and watched you working in the dorms when the undergrads were leaving over the weekend diligently working in support of the MIT community and putting yourselves at greater risk. You are appreciated... THANK YOU! Good health to you!
Anonymous
March 16, 2020

Kevin Esvelt

Thank you for your helping to keep our leadership on track during this unprecedented period. Your plain-spoken direction and clarity of what we should expect were essential in preparing our lab to contribute to the greater community's well-being.
Anonymous, MIT Media Lab
March 16, 2020

Deb Roy

Thank you for taking the bold initiative to prepare the MIT Media Lab to move off campus, to practice improved hygiene and social distancing. Not only to encourage it but ask it of us and remind us of it. You brought us together, you listened to the community's anxious words and supported the groups whose voices aren't as powerful. You empowered your staff to suggest and make decisions with wisdom. Thank you!
Anonymous, MIT Media Lab
March 16, 2020

Yara Komaiha and Afeefah Khazi-Syed

McCormick House Gov Presidents Yara and Afeefah led an extraordinary effort to support residents through this tough time. They both put the community's needs ahead of their own, ensuring that McCormick residents could prepare to go home in good spirits and minimal inconvenience.

They threw an unforgettable send-off for our seniors complete with (unofficial) diplomas, organized offsite storage for everyone in the dorm, and projected their calm and resolve to our over 200 residents. Yara and Afeefah exemplify the warmth that has shone through the MIT community in this period of great uncertainty. They should be commended for their selfless spirit of service and celebrated for their coolness under pressure.
Diana and Salo, McCormick GRAs
March 16, 2020

Stefan Helmreich, Heather Paxson, Irene Hartford, and Amberly Steward

Thank you for your tireless work, concern for the entire Department, but most importantly, for your kindness. What I need the most right now is the sense of community, and you have been truly providing it to me over the past few weeks. Thank you.
Ashawari Chaudhuri, Anthropology
March 16, 2020

Mr. John Gonzalez

Mr. Gonzalez was the primary reason I was able to pack and move out of Maseeh Hall by Sunday. He was extremely accessible, providing his phone number to any undergraduate that had questions and picking up at any time. He promptly and calmly answered all questions, which I had a lot of due to the ever changing policies on moving out. Thank you so much for all your help!
Lilly Edwards, undergrad
March 16, 2020

Karen Bruce, Justin Francos, Quentin Alexander

Karen, Justin, and Quentin, the AeroAstro department is deeply grateful for the exceptional IT support you continue to provide us. We owe you three so much for keeping us afloat on a daily basis and especially during this unique time, as we all settle into our new routines. Your dedication, patience, and professionalism are commendable!
AeroAstro Community, Aeronautics and Astronautics Department
March 16, 2020

Security at McGregor sunday 630-700 AM

The two gentlemen working security that morning were great. I had just driven 1000 miles on saturday and would turn around on Sunday and repeat the trip. They were just awesome and took my edge off. When we get back in the fall I would love to take them out for a cold beer or maybe even a Sox game.
Michael Ward, Parent
March 16, 2020

Ian Waitz and Julia Wang '22

Even as they were dealing with their own challenges — securing campus and getting home safely — both Ian and Julia (associate advisor) reached out to their first-year advisees and made sure that we were okay. Ian and Julia, we're so lucky to have you!!
Anonymous
March 16, 2020

MIT Ohms

Our last rehearsal was beautiful, and I know I'll miss all of you (especially our seniors so much)! Love you, my Ohmies <3
Anonymous
March 16, 2020

Scott Alessandro

Thanks so much for the both the practical and emotional support you've given over the past few days beyond your role as an advisor. Thanks for not letting me do anything rash in the midst of the stressful events last week.
Anonymous '21 , Sloan School of Management
March 16, 2020

Next-Exec

Thank you next-exec for all the hard work and effort you put into helping Nexties navigate such a difficult time. I can't imagine the immense stress and pressure you all were under as not only did you have to figure out your own situations but also had to also care and provide guidance for 360 other individuals. Your herculean efforts were nothing short of amazing and were honestly quite mind boggling. Thank you for all the emails, the meetings that lasted late into the night, organizing storage, and all the running around that you did. You brought leadership and direction to Next House during a time when it was crucially needed. I'm so fortunate to be in a dorm with such an exceptional student government and I'm proud to call many of you my friends. Once again thank you Tommy, Jiayi, Chelsea, Faraz, Omkar, Ivy, Meghana, Howard, Marissa, Alice, and Arthur!
Blair Anaman Williams, Chemical Engineering department
March 16, 2020

Cameron Cler

Cameron was incredibly supportive during our time scrambling to move out, providing food and 24/7 support. She did exactly what a GRA should during this time, plus more. We wouldn't have been able to make it through this time without Cameron. <3rd
Holly Jackson, EECS
March 16, 2020

Matthew Ganatra

Ganatra did so much work to help keep transitions out of Burton-Conner smooth by handling the storage process. Without someone doing what he did, things would have been far messier and more stressful. Thank you, man. I'm sorry we didn't get to spend more time together before you graduate.
Ryan Conti, Class of 2023 Undergraduate
March 16, 2020

Rishi Shah

Rishi was an incredible leader for the brothers of PBE and for all members of our community. As a leader on the UA, he was a chief point of contact and liaison between students and admin not only during this frantic time, but throughout the past 4 years at MIT. Rishi is a model leader, student, brother, and friend. I can’t wait to see how he takes his work ethic, focus, and compassion and continues to have widespread impact.

Much love, Rishi!
Christien Williams, 6-3 senior
March 16, 2020

Maseeh 5 GRAs

Eric, Maria, and Amuche really helped everyone on the floor figure this whole thing out and we wouldn't have been able to get through it without them. Thank you all!!
Lillian Linden, Student
March 16, 2020

Afeefah Khazi-Syed, Yara Komaiha, Raul&Flavia, and McC House Team

Thank you for the mini graduation, providing us with storage, sitting with us in the lobby, and reminding us of the paradise we had to leave too early.
McCormick Resident