Wall of Appreciation


To: Mike Briggs

Senior Project Manager/PDC

File

Mike, a special thank you to you for sticking with me at the end of the day when the storm hit and destroyed the tent behind us as we ran to safety. We knew the tests had to get to the Broad that evening regardless of rain, lighting, or bent aluminum! That was a scary one for sure!

To: Nicki Renaud

Classroom Coordinator, Registrar's Office

I have no idea how Nicki manages the beginning of each semester, but I'm always amazed. From pre-registration, to waitlists, add/drop permissions, and classroom changes, I often feel like Nicki has been the one person who got me and my students all in the right place and the right time during the first couple weeks of every semester. My sincerest gratitude!

To: Linda Grandshaw

History Department Administrative Assistant

I've thrown a lot of challenges at Linda over the course of my past two-and-a-half years at Williams, and she's never been fazed by any of it. This past semester she worked wonders by quickly getting tons of materials out to my students both near and far when they needed them for my classes. I could not have asked for a better person to help me weather the tumult of this past year.

To: Deb Flynn

Health Center

Deb, thanks so much for your medical counseling, from time to time, as it pertained to COVID and testing. Sometimes challenging situations have silver linings...getting to know you was definitely one of those.

To: Criss Laidlaw

OIT

Criss, you were phenomenal in helping me to understand everything technically associated with the Broad! Your daily testee reports were so informative. Your patience throughout this process was admirable, without it I am not sure where we would have been with all of this. Thank you for everything!

To: Jake Miller and Michael Richardson

OIT

A very special thank you to Jake Miller and Michael Richardson for always being there every morning to test the DYMO printers to ensure they were ready to face the day. You guys always answered our calls of distress so quickly and so graciously and I am very appreciative.

To: Facilities Grounds, Custodians, Carpentry, Electrical

Facilities Operations

To the many crews in the Facilities Operations Department; Grounds, Custodians, Electricians, Carpenters, and all others who gave their time to the success of the testing site. You emptied the trash, you made sure we never ran out of disinfectant, hand sanitizer, paper towels, and all things testing; you showed up every hour to wipe down all hard surfaces; you built every registration and testing station, as well as nose blowing huts; you gave us light, and hooked us up to generator power when needed; every morning and every evening you carted all the computers and testing supplies in and out of storage and you did all of this, and so much more, with smiles on your faces and kind words for all of the workers. I appreciate each and every one of you. Thank you for your dedication and continued hard work.

To: Dave Boyer, Tina Van Lulig, and all the CSS Officers

Safety and Security

A huge thank you to Dave Boyer, Tina Van Lulig, and all the CSS Officers who played (and are still playing) such an important role in the success of the testing site. Whether you worked the site on a daily basis, stood in the rain (or snow) greeting testees, assisted with signage at the student arrival site, handed out student keys, helped me and my supervisors at the end of the day with the courier service, or provided security after hours, your efforts were, and still are, vital to our success and very much appreciated. Thank you to each and every one of you!

To: Workers who volunteered at the testing site

All departments

Thank you to all the volunteers who gave so selflessly of their time, day in and day out, to ensure that all students, staff, and faculty could not only return to campus, but do so safely. Without you the testing site would not have been successful and the fall semester would not have been possible.

To: COVID Testing Committee: Keenan Chenail, Adrianne Epe, Scott Henderson, Diana Koperniak, Criss Laidlaw, Colleen Little, Megan Morey, Leigh Sylvia, Amy Wood, Laura Wood, Mike Wood

PDC, OCR, OIT, President's Office, Conferences

To the best COVID Testing Committee anywhere! Rarely if ever does a process achieve success without a strong cadre of behind the scenes workers providing expertise in their respective fields. This certainly proved true with our COVID Testing Committee! Each of you gave tirelessly of your time, not only in the days leading up to the start of testing, but throughout the fall semester. For this I am deeply appreciative.

To: Mike Briggs, Shaun Garvey, Scott Henderson, Colleen Little, Megan Morey, Tim Reisler, Theresa Sawyer, Alice Wilson

PDC and OCR

To my testing site shift supervisors...your time, dedication, valuable input, hard work, and positive attitudes made the testing site such a huge success. Thank you for being the first to volunteer of yourselves at a time when the world still had more questions than answers about COVID. I truly enjoyed my time working with each and every one of you in such a very different capacity.

To: Children's Center Families

So many departments...

Thank you to all of the families at the Children's Center for your patience, understanding, and support through this most challenging year. Without your trust and partnership our reopening would not have been such a success. You amazingly keep to a 10 minute drop-off schedule (let's face it, with young children 10 minutes goes by just stopping to tie a shoe), you are joyful and celebrate the work happening in the classrooms even though you cannot peek inside right now, and you place your trust in us to keep your children happy and safe each day. I am truly grateful for being able to share in the lives of your children and to have such wonderful families with us.
Thank you and happy holidays!!

To: Everyone

Holiday Hour

Thank you to everyone who had any part of creating, executing and participating in the virtual Holiday Hour. It was a great and welcome distraction!

To: Chaplains' Office Staff

Chaplains' Office Team

File

The Chaplains' Office Staff has been working non-stop since March 11 -- meeting with students in new creative ways and helping students in whatever way possible. The Chaplains Office Team (Sharif Rosen, Seth Wax, Tracy Finnegan and Nancy Luczynski) were also helpful in supporting the Religious and Spiritual Life Groups as they found new ways of meeting and gathering. The team adapted quickly to the new technology challenges (ha, remember when Zoom was new?) The team were always willing to what was necessary to provide support -- including making videos or being on Zoom calls or even holding socially distanced meetings in person. It has been a pleasure being part of this very creative team and I hope everyone get a much deserved break! Thank you, Valerie Bailey Fischer, Chaplain to the College

To: John Carasone, Jack Saari, Gillian Sciacca

Prospect Management & Research

You guys! What a lot of work we've managed to crank out even when cranky, and unshowered (maybe that's just me), and vitamin-D deficient. John-most departments are lucky to have stayed afloat but you've managed to make our work more streamlined and productive and maintained your signature sardonic sense of humor. Jack-how you've become an essential and crazy productive member of the team despite working from home this entire time is so impressive! Gillian-one word for you: GOALS!!! Seriously, you're an inspiration.

To: Deb Chaulk

Advancement Operations

Thank you for your indefatigable wit and warmth, and your continual ability to make things run smoother and smarter despite the craziest of circumstances.

To: Emily, Lew, Erin, Katherine, Mark, Donna, Gillian, Andrea & Mariann

The OCR Fun & Merriment Committee

Thank you for devoting your time and creativity to carve out space for us to gather and guffaw and grouse and stay connected with one another.

To: Jason Moran, Theresa Sawyer, and the EH&S team

Construction Management and Support

I want to thank my colleagues in Facilities for their good work in support of the campuswide wireless upgrade. Your flexibility during this time of constantly shifting priorities, improvisation skills with wiring schedules when this pandemic summer gave us unplanned opportunities,  and implementation of Williams’ COVID protocols to keep us and our outside contractors safe are so very appreciated! Thank you!

To: JAs

Dean's Office

A big thank you to all the JAs who went the extra mile to welcome students to campus and make those who chose to study remotely feel a part of our community from a distance! Your world was turned upside down and rather than retreat, you stepped forward and showed incredible leadership! Kudos and thank you on behalf of all of us in Admission and SFS.

To: Entire Team

HR

Thanks to the HR team for allowing me to discover the true value of Google Hangouts: sharing random memes, avatars-in-action, ridiculous stories (oh, and mail pick-up coordinating). Your humor and messages have been a great way to stay connected and even welcome a new team member. I will not share the Spam photo, though tempted!

To: Danielle Gonzalez

Human Resources

File

I so appreciate how Danielle has set a tone for humor and support during this period both within the HR Department and beyond. She has been a pivot-er extraordinaire as she has joined other work teams and taken on all-new duties. Her ability to laugh and roll with the constantly evolving situations has been a massive stabilizing energy. This photo summarizes her energy in meetings. Thanks Danielle (and sorry for the clandestine screen shot!)

To: Accounts Payable and Payroll

Accounts payable and payroll

Thank you to all of you behind the scenes who have been getting our payroll checks out and our vendors paid! And a thank you to everyone on campus who has adapted to new ways to process financial information.

To: Nancy Macauley

Security

It seems like every time I'm on campus I run into the smiling face of Nancy Macauley and we have wonderful, authentic, wise, warm chats. I can see why the students like her so much. Also appreciate her many years of community work before coming to Williams, with young moms and youth on probation, and for taking on many of my practicum students as interns during those years.

To: Carrie Gagne, Aja Callander

Director, Assistant Director- Children’s Center

For their emotional support to all the teachers and personnel at the Children’s Center during the time at home and all through this year and for their continuous effort on keeping the center open being a safe and fun place for every child.

To: Williams College employees

Going above and beyond

Thank you to all who have helped get the College through difficult times since March. Please know that you are appreciated for all you are doing for students, faculty and other staff by helping in whatever way you can. Hopefully there is a light at the end of this tunnel soon. Keep the faith.

To: Emily Bourguignon, Julie Menard, Mike Reopell, Dave Dewey, Chris Parker, Cindy Kimball, Wendy Skavlem and Sheila Mason

Pledge Reminder Process Improvement Team

I want to shout a big thanks to this team (especially Emily, Julie, and Mike) for helping to streamline and modernize the pledge reminder process. This work had to be done quickly at a very busy time of year. Many thanks to all involved. It was a great collaborative effort!

To: Carrie Gagne and the WCCC teachers

Children's Center

I am so grateful to Carrie and Aja for putting together a reopening plan that allows my child and so many other children the opportunity to return to care, and to all of the teachers for the bravery and love they share with our littles every day. With a recent study indicating that 42% of working women with a child under 2 years old have dropped out of the workforce since March, I am grateful both that Williams ensured the employment of WCCC staff (many of them women with their own young children) during the spring/summer shutdown, and that the commitment of these early childhood educators means so many Williams families and working mothers, including me, are able to continue our chosen work as well.

To: To the Team:

'68 Center

File

To the team that helped our graduates explore and achieve their dreams. Couldn't be more proud of your commitment!

To: The Facilities Teams and CSS

Taking care of Lawrence Hall/WCMA

Thank you, dear Colleagues at Facilities and CSS, for being there for the museum and it's needs 24/7! Whether it's a late night alarm, scheduled maintenance, coordinating building projects around the museum's constraints, or keeping our spaces beautiful, clean and safe for students and faculty, your dedication, expertise and excellent work are deeply appreciated. In this extraordinary and challenging year, your kindness and friendly professionalism is a gift to us all. Thank you!

To: Williams College

Williams College

I am so thankful and honored to work at Williams. I remain in aww of the commitment and dedication of so many colleagues that came together the last 10 months.

To: Cate, Jodi, Amanda, and Zoe

Olive Classroom

I started at the Children’s Center at the end of October and it has been difficult losing my last job to covid and starting a new job during a global pandemic. The whole staff at the Children’s Center has been so welcoming of me, but I’d like to give a special shout out to the teachers I’ve been working with in the Olive Room. Thank you!

To: Carol Rydell

Administrative Assistant

I want to share my absolute appreciation of all that Carol does. Carol is the glue that holds us together. She is ever knowing and ever helping! Regardless of the amount that needs to be done, Carol always stops to help someone in need and always with a smile. Thank you Carol, for everything!

To: Everyone who has worked in Covid testing

Covid Testing

I'd like to thank everyone who has worked to set up and run the Covid testing operation. You have gone above and beyond by taking on this responsibility, and have made getting tested easy. As a mostly remote worker, I've also enjoyed the friendly, albeit brief, interactions with coworkers during testing. THANK YOU!

To: Deb Flynn, Fred Puddester, Jim Reische, Marlene Sandstrom, Doug Schiazza, Matt Sheehy

Dean's Office, Health Services, Operations, Senior Staff

Above and beyond their "day-and-night jobs" keeping students, faculty, and staff safe, healthy, and well-informed, Deb, Fred, Jim, Marlene, Doug, and Matt have helped Williams respond quickly and thoroughly to endless questions from hundreds of (understandably) anxious parents and families. And they've done so with uncanny patience and good humor. Thanks so much to you all!

To: Norman Bell

Science Center Manager

Norm took some time to help repair my bike when my arm was injured and I could not make the repair myself. My bike is my only means of transportation and without it I was unable to do many basic day to day things. With an injured arm this only makes things worse. Norm's small act helped immensely. This is just one example of the kindness and thoughtfulness that Norm brings to Williams College. He truly cares about the other people he works with and will always go the extra mile to help someone else. He is a genuine and mindful person. We are all lucky to have him here at Williams. I have never worked under someone that I have respected more as an individual than him. I appreciate his jovial generosity and positivity when things feel at their absolute worst.

To: The Teachers

Williams College Children's Center

Thank you to all the teachers at the Children's Center! I can't express how much I appreciate your cheerfulness, support, and dedication to our children especially during such extraordinary times. Thank you for everything you do, I am so grateful for you all!

To: Emily Burr

Communications and Events Coordinator, '68 Center for Career Exploration

File

A huge thanks to Emily Burr for ensuring that our massive number of events were well planned and marketed to students this fall. Emily's professionalism and care for the work of our office always inspires, and without her branding, editing, and planning we'd never be able to create the events and programs that we do. Thank you, Emily!

To: Everyone who worked at the testing site

Everyone

Thank you for taking the time to help us all navigate our work environments safely. Your efforts provided us with valuable information and peace of mind during a difficult situation. Much appreciated!

To: All the Teachers!

Teachers at WCCC

I truly appreciate all the teachers at the William College Children’s Center. Over the years, they have been wonderful friends and coworkers. I have been proud to teach alongside of them, even when it was from home. They are kind, supportive and show amazing creativity. The best part of all is my own children have been gifted them as teachers! Thank you for all that you do!

To: Everyone who worked at the testing site

and continues to do so...

File

Thank you to Rita and so many others who designed, constructed, and ran an unbelievably efficient and safe testing program. It was amazing to see so many colleagues come together to make this operation work.

To: Rita Coppola-Wallace and entire operations and communications team

Operations/Communication

I am deeply grateful for (and in awe of!) the attention, energy, resources, and skill that was dedicated to building an amazing testing operation that allowed for a safe re-opening and fall semester at Williams. It was a remarkable lift, and you did right by our entire community. Thank you!

To: All the Teachers!

Teachers at WCCC

I truly appreciate all the teachers at the William College Children’s Center. Over the years, they have been wonderful friends and coworkers. I have been proud to teach alongside of them, even when it was from home. They are kind, supportive and show amazing creativity. The best part of all is my own children have been gifted them as teachers! Thank you for all that you do!

To: Patrick Grey

OIT

Patrick,

Since March, there is no one our team has called on more often, more last-minute, and with more questions than you. Thank you so much for all you’ve done to help us totally recreate our work in the Zoom world. Your patience and good humor are remarkable and we are so grateful!

With enormous thanks,
The admission and student financial services team

To: Library Custodians

Facilities

Thank you to the amazing custodians working in the libraries and keeping our spaces safe and clean. It is an incredible amount of work under "normal" circumstances and you all have done so much more under the current circumstances. I am so grateful for you all, thank you!

To: Debby Kopala, Beth Erdeski, Jessica Park, Tony, & Shera

Mail Room

Many thanks to Debby, Beth, Jessie, Tony, and Shera in the mail room! You work so hard in that small space; literally running around and lifting sometimes very heavy items all day. I very much appreciate the hard work you do. Thank you.

To: Matt Sheehy and Danielle Gonzalez

VPFA/HR

Thank you to Matt and Danielle for all of your thought, care, and support! You have been our "rock" since March and your support of students, staff, and faculty has been unrelenting. We could not have had a successful semester without the 2 of you!!

To: Access Services Team

Sawyer Library

A huge thank you to everyone in the Sawyer Library Access Services Department! Alison, Alex, Brad, Chris, Dave, Eric, Julie, Kurt, Marise, Mary, and Nancy - you have been there to ensure faculty, staff, and students have access to the library materials they require. You have been steady as a rock and I am blessed to be on your team.

To: Yasmin Wilkinson, Rodd Lanoue, and the entire athletic training staff

athletic trainers

This fall was a strange semester at Williams, and athletics faced some very specific and challenging situations. With every team's competitive season cancelled, the entire department scrambled for ways to provide connection and learning opportunities for our students, while keeping everyone safe from COVID-19 as well.

The athletic training team goes to tremendous lengths supporting our teams every year, but they truly exceeded themselves in 2020. They spent the entire summer developing protocols, keeping up with the latest information, and communicating non-stop with coaches and others. It was a huge amount of work and huge credit is due to the AT staff for helping fall teams hold some semblance of activities for the on-campus students.

Most important, the AT staff handled everything, including tough decisions, with good humor and grace. Yasmin even hosted two virtual seminars for our cross country team above and beyond all her other responsibilities! We cannot thank them enough.

To: Aseel Abulhab

Davis Center

Thank you, Aseel, for hosting a thought provoking and deeply important training with the College Relations staff this fall. I am grateful to get work with you!

To: Meg Bossong & Hannah Lipstein

Sexual Assault Response & Prevention

Thank you to Meg and Hannah for putting together incredible resources and materials around bystander intervention and for planning and facilitating an engaging and impactful training with the College Relations staff!

To: Our students who push for change

Williams Students

Thank you to the students at Williams who organize to push the college for progressive, inclusive, and equitable policies and actions. You are an invaluable part of the Williams community.

To: Williams College

Williams as a Employer

Thank you for having our "Back" through all of this.

To: Patrick Gray & Steve Amann

OIT

Virtual meeting GURUS! No matter how many times I asked these guys questions (and often the same question over and over), they were always so prompt, professional, polite, and patient! They are such a tremendous asset to our College community and I can't thank them enough. Well done!!!

To: Our colleagues in Facilities

Keeping us all safe on campus

Thank you to our amazing colleagues in the Facilities department for the unbelievable amount of work you did and continue to do to create a safe working and learning environment for us all.  From enhanced cleaning protocols to rearranging every space on campus to analyzing and improving airflow in our buildings and so much more - you did all of this while also following good practices to keep yourselves safe.  And, as always, you did all this work with perfect professionalism and a dash of good humor.  The college couldn't ever function without you, and especially during this extended crisis.  Thank you so much!

To: Our Amazing Faculty

Continuing to inspire our students.....

Kudos to our amazing faculty who worked so hard to transform the curriculum and found new innovative ways to engage our students during this most unusual fall academic term. Inspiring work by all! This is what makes Williams the best small liberal arts institution in the country.

To: Entire Dining Team

Dining

Huge shout out to the entire Dining team for their amazing efforts this Fall semester!! The past semester was like none other before and all of you showed tremendous team work to safely feed the students. All of the hard work everyone has put in has not gone unnoticed. We all thank you!!

To: The Operations Committee

So many...

Thank you for the countless hours of behind the scenes work and coordination of all things COVID related. No task or request was too big or small for this group. I will miss you when we only meet twice a week instead of daily. It has been a pleasure!

To: Everyone

Communications and Facilities teams

File

Thank you to the teams who designed the signage and created the signs orienting us all to the new ways of moving around campus. Walking around the mostly deserted campus these colorful, friendly, clear indicators have become a welcome sight. This one nose blowing station also made me smile, which is so great!