This week’s ‘Thumbs Up’ recipients

Hope Heathcote

Our office is involved in a wide variety of events and initiatives, and there’s one magic ingredient that makes it all work. As the senior member of our support staff, Hope (College of Agriculture) is our go-to source of knowledge and experience. Even when she’s swamped, she is always happy to help answer questions or share her skills in our office and throughout the college. Additionally, her creativity and sense of humor both foster a feeling of teamwork and camaraderie that greatly improve our work environment. Hope is the unsung hero of our office and the glue that holds everything together. Thanks for everything you do, Hope! — Audra Humphrey, Cora Chavez, Jannet McCutchan, Karlton Morrell, Scott Haan (all College of Agriculture) and the Office of Academic Programs staff

Briggitta August, Emily Wright and Nah’Shon Williams

Thank you, Briggitta, Emily and Nah’Shon (all College of Liberal Arts), for co-sponsoring and facilitating a walking tour of “Black and Gold: History of Black and Asian Boilermakers at Purdue” for the Asian American and Asian Resource and Cultural Center’s spring 2025 Lunch and Learn series. Briggitta shared her expertise from years of facilitating Black history tours on campus. Emily and Nah’Shon curated additional archival materials and created posters highlighting the first Asian Boilermakers. The tour reflects important archival work done to understand the presence, contribution and intersectionality of our diverse student body throughout the history of this campus. — Samantha Huang (Asian American and Asian Resource and Cultural Center)

Jeff Rattray

Thank you so much, Jeff (Purdue IT), for being so kind! I appreciate all of your help! — Katie May (Public Health)

Emily Back and Alec Gilles

I’d like to thank Emily Back (Purdue IT) and Alec Gilles (Purdue Fort Wayne IT) for their quick efforts in resolving an issue with the off-campus housing website. Last week, I learned students were encountering issues authenticating. I messaged Emily to see if she could advise on the issue. She quickly investigated, pulled in Alec to assist, and both joined a call with the vendor that afternoon and worked to successfully resolve the issue. Thanks for your super-fast response time despite a busy schedule that day! You both exemplify outstanding customer service! — Kristie Bishop (Purdue IT)

Kristina Cooley and Colleen Flynn

Thank you so much, Kristina and Colleen (both Horticulture and Landscape Architecture), for the support you provide. It truly makes my life as a graduate student so much easier. Your prompt responses and swift actions to address questions or offer help are sincerely appreciated. Thank you! — Shivika Aggrawal (Horticulture and Landscape Architecture)

Those who helped prepare Johnson Hall of Nursing for visits

Thank you, Dennis Lindley, Joseph Tiseo, Nathaniel Homan, Wilbert Santiago, Connor Forbes, Jovan Neubauer, Victoriano Castulo, Steven Raley and Esteban Castrellon (all Building Services). This crew went out of their way to ensure that the Johnson Hall of Nursing building was in top shape when we had potential head candidates visit our campus this week. We appreciate all their hard work and dedication in helping the School of Nursing. Thank you. — Nancy Edwards (Nursing)

Lauren Lucas

Thank you so much, Lauren (Office of the Registrar), for always being willing to help with any question or problem! — Katie May (Public Health)

Jill Dyson and Jessica Luigs

Thank you to Jill and Jessica (both Office of the Registrar) for helping me with the changes I needed to make to the mechanical engineering schedule for the West Lafayette and Indianapolis locations. Your knowledge and patience are very much appreciated! — Janeen Redman (Mechanical Engineering)

Dave Jordan

There are people at Purdue who make aspects of the entirety of campus operations possible but go largely unseen. We want to highlight the work of one such person: Dave (Purdue IT). Dave makes virtually every Purdue-owned computer on campus able to be used! In addition to this incredibly important work, which keeps him quite busy, we want to give Dave a huge thumbs-up for also being impressively, generously and rapidly responsive to support requests. No question seems too big or small for Dave, who somehow manages to squeeze in helping us while simultaneously keeping the whole campus running. Moreover, he’s unfailingly courteous, warm and kind while doing so. We’re privileged to have Dave as a colleague and acknowledge how integral his efforts are in helping us all accomplish our daily work. — Purdue IT in Education team

Trexie Rudd

Thank you so much, Trexie (Purdue University Pharmacy), for helping me track down an answer to a question. I appreciate you going above and beyond to help! — Katie May (Public Health)

Brenda Masiga-Crowell

Thank you, Brenda (Purdue University Student Health Services), for your help in tracking down information to help students! — Katie May (Public Health)

Jane Krause, Ian Clark, Lindsey Eggold and Molly Synesael

The painting event with the Pre-Pharmacy Learning Community was great! The students enjoyed the event, and it was a really nice turnout. Jane, Ian, Lindsey and Molly (all College of Pharmacy) do an amazing job of building community and planning events! — Katie May (Public Health)

Sanjana Dey, Kelley Bailey and Randy Hubach

Great job, Sanjana (College of Health and Human Sciences), Kelley and Randy (both Public Health), on Purdue’s For Me! — Katie May (Public Health)

Ashley Roberts

Trying to manage my health care became overwhelming after a very difficult year, but what a remarkable regional director I have. If it were not for Ashley’s (Expanded Food and Nutrition Program) genuine concern and understanding I don’t think I would have been able to navigate this road. She always makes sure we feel supported and that she is available to help in any way. Her true servant’s heart is steady and unwavering, and she always approaches a situation with encouragement and compassion. She cheers for us and is a person of integrity that has yet to fail. — Kelly Isaacs (Expanded Food and Nutrition Program)

Day and night shift custodians who helped at Young Hall

Thank you to both day and night shift for working together to clean up a flood at Young Hall. The quick response was critical in minimizing damage. The teamwork we observed was amazing and ensured a smooth transition between teams. Your hard work during stressful situations has not gone unnoticed and is greatly appreciated! — Wendy Fredrychowski (Building Services)