The following MIT community members have been recognized for going the extra mile. Thank someone today.
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Edmund Jones
Thank you Edmund for jumping into action today to make a home delivery to a colleague in need and offering assistance to your colleagues in CAPD! With gratitude, Sharon
Sharon Bridburg, OVC
Custodial workers
Thank you to all of the custodial workers. My grandma was a custodial worker right down the road at Harvard, and I never forget how important and underappreciated this work is. Thank you for everything you do.
Christopher Buttimer, Teaching Systems Lab
Maseeh 2
Thank you to the entire Maseeh 2 community for everything you've done during this past week, and a special thank you to our GRAs for keeping us calm during the storm and answering our endless questions. As our world was flipped upside down so suddenly, everyone managed to stay positive and brighten the day during these hectic times. I couldn't think of a better place to have called home this past year at MIT, and I miss you all already. Even during these times of social distancing, keep spreading your love, kindness, compassion, and humor.
Anonymous
The students of the Institute, and, yes, especially Course 16
While we know you are "just kids," we likewise know that you are some of the most extraordinary people on this earth. And in the recent weeks, well, in case there were a few folks who hadn't realized just how phenomenal you are, you have proved it time and time again. Acting more like adults than even those of us two or three times your age, you familiarized yourselves with the facts, permitted yourselves the albeit brief luxury of a reaction, advocated for yourselves and others, sought help when needed, did what was necessary in the moment, and, quite simply, showed us that you are the best and brightest that this world has to offer.
Joyce Light, Aeronautics & Astronautics
Ollie Gelmont
We would like to thank Ollie Gelmont for all his tireless daily efforts in helping run smooth operations in W98, where the Alumni Association, Resource Development, and Recording Secretary’s Offices are housed. In recent days, with the ramp-down of staffing in our building during the Covid-19 situation, Ollie has continued to ensure many important operations are taken care of – making sure critical sanitary and cleaning supplies are available on all floors, front desk calls and visits are tended to, plants are watered, and mail and deliveries are received and sorted – particularly mailed-in donations, so that they may be recorded in a timely manner by our offices. Ollie is such an incredible colleague and we feel fortunate to have him!
Cara Rowe and Sarah Hendrick, Recording Secretary's Office and Alumni Association
Paul Acosta & Boris Broun
A huge thank you to both of you for preparing the Laboratory for Nuclear Science Headquarters staff and Fiscal Office computers to work remotely on such short notice. Business continues smoothly because of the two of you!
Heidi Demers, Laboratory for Nuclear Science
MIT Pharmacy Staff
Thank you for continuing to be there for us, and for your constant professionalism and responsiveness. We are grateful to you for your work to keep the community healthy.
Anonymous
Hildreth England
Hildreth has been an amazing resource for organization, communication, and ideation – all with a great sense of humor and lovely positive energy.
Nina Wishnok, Media Lab / Design dept.
ML Executive Committee
They are working around the clock to ensure this process and the new policies are as painless as possible for everyone.
Heather Pierce, Media Lab
Alicia Mackin
Alicia has faced every new challenge with fearlessness and bravery. Every thing that can go wrong hopefully goes wrong with Alicia in the wing, ready to help you solve the problem and laugh with you through it. I am so grateful to have her through big and small challenges, whether it's an alarm that never stops or a national crisis.
Jessica TranVo, Literature Section
Michele Harris
Michele is the HR Administrator in the Chemistry Department and has been an incredible, kind, caring, and patient resource. She is always fantastic but has been truly amazing since this crisis began and going above and beyond in every way to make sure everyone gets their questions answered and has whatever they need. She is amazing at checking in with people, even when we know she is busy herself! Michele manages to do this in a constantly changing environment and we couldn't get through this without her.
Jennifer Weisman, Chemistry
Ann Warner Harvey & Jason Richer
Cannot thank our VPF colleagues enough for their help! MIT Medical is launching virtual visits for our patients that cannot or should not come to our offices for in-person visits. But, with a move towards telecommuting, we ran out of laptops with embedded cameras to support telehealth visits. After asking a few MIT friends, I found Ann at VPF who quickly acted to source unused laptops in NE49. Jason found us 16 laptops, and worked swiftly to wipe them and ready them for our use. Thank you thank you thank you !! On behalf of MIT Medical, and our patients. Thank you! (p.s., Shout out to Shelagh Joyce for joining me on the road trip to pick up the hardware!)
Ashley Hague, MIT Medical
ESG Profesors and staff
In this time of uncertainty, ESG community leaders were proactive in calming down the students and creating many back-up emergence plans. They were great a reaching out to all of the students at ESG and providing emotional and financial support. They eliminated a lot of stress from my life made me feel more calm and confident in these challenging times.
Anonymous
Maseeh 2 GRAs: Eesh & Shannon, Mary Beth & Gianluca
In these hectic times, you were always there for us on the floor. From providing loads of snacks to advice and calm support, we really are grateful to have you as our GRAs. Whether checking in on how our packing was going to offering to hold onto library books to turn them in once everything reopens, you have helped us a ton and we will miss you!
Maseeh 2 resident, undergrad
Shawn Ferullo, MD
For weeks now, Shawn has been working tirelessly on all aspects of MIT's COVID-19 response. From direct patient care and assessment, to leadership and advice around important organizational decisions, he has done it all. He's also been critical in providing guidance and reassurance to MIT Medical staff as as we come together to care for our community and our patients during this time. Thank you!!
Anonymous, MIT Medical
Jackie Sherry, APRN
Thank you Jackie for your countless hours of talking to community members who may have been exposed to COVID-19,and to their close contacts, managers, and others around them. As our public health NP, you've provided so many in our community with education, advice, and reassurance and kept them calm - days, nights, and weekends. We appreciate your expertise and dedication!
Anonymous, MIT Medical
The entire Medical department, from the front desk staff and custodians to the Medical processionals, and leadership. They are all just amazing.
Anonymous, Medical
Joyce Light
Joyce Light has always been like a mom away from home for many of us AeroAstro undergrads. The fact that amidst this pandemic, she managed to organize a meaningful and sentimental send off for the seniors and will send their signatures to space, speaks volumes for how much she cares for us and our community. Joyce we love you and you’re so deeply appreciated in this department :)
Anonymous, AeroAstro
Ollie Gelmont
Not only is Ollie watering plants in W98, but more importantly he is sorting mail and keeping the building running with good humor and a very strong work ethic. He has been generous with updates, going so far as to photograph mail pieces so we know what’s coming in. We appreciate Ollie!
Christine Tempesta, MIT Alumni
Maggie Cedarstrom
Maggie is one of our HQ staff who I work with in several capacities and she has been consistently stepping up. She was very decisive about what to do about our tea, coffee, and snack services when we (the student assistants) were unsure. Maggie has also been very efficient in moving a huge number of meetings to a virtual format. We multiple special seminars and meetings per day this week that need to be done virtually and Maggie is keeping them all running smoothly. I have also noticed her working and responding to emails late in the evenings. Thank you, Maggie!
Margaret Duffy, EAPS (course 12)
Aurora Brule
Aurora Brule's quick thinking, organization, and empathy helped so many international students during this time of upheaval. Her calm presence made the International Students' Office a place of refuge rather than panic at this time. She is an excellent colleague. Thank you, Aurora!
Brandi Adams, EECS
MIT Medical
I had a routine physical yesterday that had been scheduled several weeks prior. I just want to thank the medical providers for being there, on the front lines, along with all the other staff at MIT to make sure everyone is safe. We will get through this and be stronger because of it.
Todd Lardy, MIT Lincoln Laboratory
Graduate Resident Assistants (GRAs), faculty Heads of House, dorm/ILGs staff
Thank you to all GRAs, HoH, and dorm/ILGs staff for the amazing job that you've done in this extreme time of crisis to assure all of our students' safety and well-being while moving out of the dorms/ILGs. Sending you all much gratitude and appreciation.
Dava Newman, AeroAstro, HST, MIT Portugal Program
Becky Kjaerbye Demim
Becky is always a pillar of the Maseeh community, but she's been an incredibly calming presence during the past week. She responds to student and GRA issues around the clock and goes the extra mile to make sure everyone feels cared for and heard.
Bianca Datta, Media Lab/ Division of Student Life
Jhon Gonzalez
As the housing manager for Maseeh, Jhon is facing unprecedented challenges under an evolving and difficult timeline, but he has been extremely patient, kind, and responsive throughout the process. Everyone in Maseeh is extremely thankful for Jhon's work ethic and friendliness during this critical time.
Bianca Datta, Media Lab/ Division of Student Life
MIT Libraries leadership
Thank you to the leadership of the Libraries for making thoughtful decisions about how to continue supporting the MIT communities' research and teaching needs while keeping the health and safety of students, faculty, and staff in mind.
Anonymous, MIT Libraries
The Media Lab staff
We've been through some crazy times together over the years, but nothing like this! I'm so grateful to work with admin and ops teams who can pull together, support each other, and keep this ship afloat through everything. You are all astonishing.
Janine Liberty, Media Lab
Peter Fisher and Heather Williams
Peter and Heather have both been tireless in keeping their communities informed -- Peter in the Physics Department and Heather in the School of Science. Each of them writes daily to their constituencies and includes information about keeping ourselves well and sane during this time as well as bulletins about all the MIT-related issues we need to keep up with. Their bulletins have become one of the highlights of my day. I'm proud to be part of the Physics and SoS families.
Cathy Modica, Physics
Libraries
So grateful that our management the made swift decision to close and protect employees while we worked on how to meet the research needs of our community.
Anonymous, Libraries
Kristin Hall
Kristin has been so supportive during this difficult time, from offering to help us move office supplies to checking in via email and Skype. It has been so comforting to know I have someone to turn to :).
Bianca Datta, Media Lab