Thumbs Up

Food Science team at the Indiana State Fair

Food Science team at the Indiana State Fair: A big thank you to the team who organized and worked at the Food Science booth at the Indiana State Fair this year: Mike Caffee, Patrick Tiffany, Hansel Mina, Adriana Torres and Amanda Deering (all Food Science). People got to learn about crickets as an alternative protein source by tasting cricket rice crispy treats, as well as determine the microorganisms that are naturally present on spinach leaves. It gave us the opportunity to connect with people so they could learn what food science is all about and to help recruit future Purdue food scientists. Thank you for all that you do for our department! — Senay Simsek (Food Science)

Jill Aichinger

Jill Aichinger (Director of Business Managers): I am extremely grateful for the patience Jill has demonstrated with all the new student employee onboarding. Our department recently took on a new position, causing some shuffling of student employee roles. She has been extremely understanding while we finalized this process. — Adrian Peacock-Downey (IT Customer Relations and Process Management)

Jessica Mellady

Jessica Mellady (Student Activities and Organizations): Jess went above and beyond to help a nonstudent get his wallet. The wallet was found two weeks ago and originally lost during commencement. She was able to track down parents and get the wallet returned! Thank you, Jess, for always going above and beyond! Your customer service reigns supreme! — Martia King (Student Activities and Organizations)

Purdue Polytechnic Institute advising team

Purdue Polytechnic Institute advising team: BGR departmental welcome sessions were a huge success thanks to the dedication of the Purdue Polytechnic academic advisors. BGR participants felt like a part of the academic community and made connections before their classes began. Students are lucky to have you as their advisors! — T.R. Oneal (Purdue Polytechnic Institute Administration)

BGR student volunteers

BGR student volunteers: They have made BGR move-in so much easier, and we could not make the move-in easy for the students and parents without their help. You make Purdue students that are coming to campus feel welcome, encouraged and a little less nervous. Thank you for all you do. All of you rocked it this year! — Darla Laffoon (Building Services, Residence Halls)

Staff from University Residences Building Services and Building Services’ first and second shifts

Staff from University Residences Building Services and Building Services’ first and second shifts: I want to give a big shoutout to all the custodians that helped us at Aspire to get the apartments cleaned and ready for students to move in for the school year. Great job! We truly appreciated your hard work. Thank you. — Cheryl Dotson (Building Services, Residence Halls)

David Bretz

David Bretz (Purdue Applied Research Insitute): David Bretz has been present at the Hypersonics and Applied Research Facility every day to direct all moving parts for the projects being conducted in the Hypersonics Advanced Manufacturing Technology Center. Most importantly, he has demonstrated leadership traits that create a learning atmosphere, inclusiveness, teamwork and problem-solving solutions for everyone at HARF. Way to softly hit that nail. — Jamie Alan Fisher (Purdue Applied Research Institute)

Kathy Bryant

Kathy Bryant (Operations and Maintenance): I am so grateful for all the help that Kathy provided to me when I called the work control number this past summer. I called her when I needed quick answers to my work requests, and she always answered with happiness in her voice and made me smile (and even laugh). Her willingness to update me on the status of a work request or figure out what was going on behind the scenes on a request was beyond what I expected. When I call work control, I am always thankful that it is Kathy who answers the phone. Thanks so much, Kathy! — Kristy Bennett (Curriculum and Instruction)

Engineering IT and Engineering Computer Network teams

Engineering IT and Engineering Computer Network teams: I would like to thank Joshua Harley, Grayson Barrett, Gail Williams, Aaron Green, Kevin Newell and Nate Lawrie (all Engineering IT) and Kaity Harley, Ethan Mesecar and Jason Saavedra (all Engineering Computer Network) for all of their help in getting our classroom up and running in three days. There was in issue with the classroom we were supposed to move into for the fall semester, and they helped us get the old classroom set back up and ready for classes to start on Aug. 21. Without their help and quick thinking, this would not have been possible. — Regina Brown (Computer Graphics Technology)

Chris Eichrodt

Chris Eichrodt (Engineering IT): Chris is always available to help with any IT concern I have in the Mechanical Engineering advising office, large or small. He was instrumental in getting our system and large copier set back up and online with zero interruption of work when we relocated to our new space. He spent several days troubleshooting and correcting my access to work remotely, and he always checks in while in the building to see if we need additional attention. Chris is always prompt, professional and patient. He is a wonderful addition to our IT team. — Tina Denson (Mechanical Engineering)

Penny Haddock

Penny Haddock (Director of Business Managers): Penny has been very helpful with getting vendors paid for our areas that were having issues getting payments processed. Both orders were time-sensitive, and Penny was wonderful at keeping in contact with updates. I appreciate Penny’s hard work and great customer service! — JoAnna Johnson (Office of Financial Planning and Analysis)

Orientation Programs team

Orientation Programs team: A huge thumbs up to Orientation Programs and BGR supervisors and team leaders! Many kudos are coming in from new Boilermaker families regarding assistance during BGR 2023 move-in. This is one of many examples of families expressing their gratitude. The parent said she was blown away at the efficiency of the move-in process. She said the student help team was “absolutely wonderful” and she “could not believe my eyes as they wheeled our stuff to the dorm room! We are very excited to be part of the Purdue family now. Kudos to the university and the entire move-in team.” — Jen Wetli (Office of the Vice Provost for Student Life)