The Collier Medal is awarded in honor of Sean Collier, the MIT Police officer who was killed in 2013 while protecting and serving the MIT community.
This award, given in Office Collier’s memory, recognizes unsung heroes whose actions demonstrate belief in the importance of community and whose contributions exceed the boundaries of their profession.
Collier Medal honorees volunteer their time and talent, build deep and meaningful connections, and selflessly perform acts of kindness that contribute to a stronger community—and a better world.
This year’s recipient is Benjamin B. Lewis.
Ben is a researcher in the Institute for Data, Systems and Society in the MIT Schwarzman College of Computing. He is passionate about drug policy reform, and with the support of the PKG Center, he has extended his work out into the community.
Last spring, Ben founded the Cambridge branch of End Overdose, a nonprofit dedicated to reducing drug-related overdose deaths through education, medical intervention and public awareness. Through his efforts, more than 600 members of the Greater Boston community, including many at MIT, have been trained to administer life-saving treatment at critical moments.
Ben has expanded the program’s reach through collaboration with night clubs and other venues; with faculty at Northeastern University; and even with the state government. Recently he spoke before the Massachusetts State House to advocate for overdose prevention centers, and he believes in “prioritizing compassion and care over stigma.”
Ben’s colleagues see his compassion in the work he does every day, and they say that he’s driven “purely by a commitment to support his community and save lives.”
Ben is an inspiration to all of us to cultivate empathy and make time to look out for the wellbeing of others.