An “unimaginable advocate for college students.” An “administrative MacGyver.” A revitalizer and re-energizer of selling gender fairness, with a “heat, human-centered strategy.”
These phrases and extra described winners of the 2024 Dean’s Distinction awards, which yearly acknowledge distinctive work of College of Arts and Sciences employees. Sunny skies befitted a festive awards ceremony earlier this month, the place 12 people and two groups have been feted for his or her dedication and experience over the previous yr.
The annual FAS celebration occurred within the Dunster Home courtyard amongst throngs of cheering colleagues who got here to assist their friends and have a good time the educational yr’s finish.
“You shine as leaders inside your particular person departments and throughout the FAS as an entire,” mentioned Hopi Hoekstra, Edgerley Household Dean of the FAS, earlier than bestowing the awards. “You collaborate, you sort out issues with enthusiasm and vitality, and you’ve got a constructive influence each right here and on this planet.”
Honorees hailed from throughout departments and facilities, from the Dean of College students Workplace and the Kenneth C. Griffin Graduate College of Arts and Sciences to the Harvard Forest. Cheers erupted as Hoekstra learn every title.
Francisco Arellano, occasions supervisor within the Division of Molecular and Mobile Biology, accepted his award onstage earlier than a full of life group from MCB carrying matching sun shades and waving balloons that spelled out his title in his favourite shade, orange.
Arellano mentioned he was “thrilled and humbled” to obtain the award. “It’s a unprecedented feeling to be acknowledged in such a significant manner. The most effective a part of this expertise has been how my group, who’ve been instrumental in my success, celebrated with me.”
Fellow awardee Genesee Johnson, director of monetary administration and operations in Arts and Humanities, was likewise deeply touched by her group’s outpouring of assist. “It’s one factor to obtain recognition from a proper physique or committee, but it surely’s one other factor fully to be uplifted by these you’re employed alongside each day,” she mentioned.
Boisterous supporters hoisted glittery indicators for awardee Dell Marie Hamilton, Performing Director of the Cooper Gallery for African and African American Artwork on the Hutchins Heart for African & African American Analysis. In her nomination, Govt Director Abby Wolf highlighted Hamilton’s curatorial expertise and “tenacious consideration to element” that has introduced the group by “many troublesome spots.”
“She went far above and past what was anticipated, pushed all the time by our mission to teach and fill in gaps of conventional histories and establishments,” Wolf mentioned.
Awardees have been lauded for a spread of qualities, Hoekstra mentioned: cultivating a robust sense of group and connection throughout the FAS; creating humane and supportive work environments; exceeding common tasks and expectations; fostering range, inclusion, and belonging; collaborating with the College’s finest pursuits and mission in thoughts; and demonstrating ingenuity and creativity of their roles.
Two employees groups have been honored: The Crimson Summer time Academy, an instructional program serving native public colleges that hosts 30-40 college students on campus every year; and the Analysis Administration Workforce that helps the Division of Human Evolutionary Biology and the Division of Organismic and Evolutionary Biology, managing school analysis portfolios in monetary planning, sponsor necessities, and different areas.
In opening remarks, Dean of Administration and Finance Scott Jordan mentioned, “It’s value taking a second to be joyful to be collectively.”
“I need to acknowledge — and that is heartfelt — that we’re all winners as we speak,” Jordan mentioned. “Now we have gotten by the 2024 educational yr.”
The 2024 Dean’s Distinction awardees:
Francisco Arellano, Molecular and Mobile Biology
Marvin Glenn Arenzana Baclig, Dean of College students Workplace
Raul Figueroa, Graduate College of Arts and Sciences
Meg Fuchs, Harvard Forest
Andrew Gitchel, Theatre, Dance & Media
Dell Marie Hamilton, Hutchins Heart for African & African American Analysis
Genesee Johnson, Arts and Humanities Administrative Providers
Sol Kim-Bentley, English
Helen Lewis, Linguistics
Patricie Niyitegeka, Science Division
Daniel Oliver, Stem Cell and Regenerative Biology
Alejandra Rincon, Dean of College students Workplace
Workforce awardees:
Crimson Summer time Academy, within the Division of Persevering with Schooling
Joseph Lewis
Kimberly Parker
Jamie Shushan
Melissa Trottier
Human Evolutionary Biology-Organismic and Evolutionary Biology Analysis Administration Workforce
Diana Gjino
Jenna Legault
Kristin Pennarun
Emily Reynolds
Liliana Teixeira-Davis
