Thumbs Up

PMU White Lodging team

PMU White Lodging team: Thank you to Emmy Bratton, Brooke Burton, Elise Walton, Chloe Opalka and Kylar Kavanaugh in PMU White Lodging. They were all gracious and accommodating during our weeklong orientation. Their customer service, attention to detail and willingness to adapt our schedule helped make our event a success. Thank you, all! — Rendi Tharp (College of Engineering)

Jim "Bo" Smith and Steve Robinson

Jim "Bo" Smith and Steve Robinson (both Operations and Maintenance): Thank you to two of our carpenters who happened to be onsite taking care of a work order or two when we had another, more immediate task come up. They were able to reprioritize the work orders and successfully accomplish both. I know this is a very busy time on campus for all the trades, so we really want to express how appreciative we are of your time and efforts. — Michael Humphrey (Mitchell E. Daniels, Jr. School of Business)

Rob Blue

Rob Blue (IT Infrastructure Services): Rob has an amazing ability to quickly understand the bigger picture as well as the more nuanced needs related to the best use of technology tools. I am so thankful to Rob for being incredibly resourceful, collaborative and solution driven. The work Rob has done for the online new program development team has saved our team an immense amount of work, which has, in turn, allowed us to be more agile and supportive of those we serve. Rob's determination to resolve issues with quality solutions is deserving of high praise. Thanks, Rob! — April Hixson (New Program Development)

Dustin Richardson and Pao Building Services team

Dustin Richardson (Building Services) and Pao Building Services team: I am certain that I am not alone in recognizing the outstanding efforts of Dustin Richardson, crew chief, and the Building Services team at Pao Hall. I wish to extend my sincere appreciation for such an exceptional job! — Petronio Bendito (Patti & Rusty Rueff School of Design, Art, and Performance)

Viviana Tsangaropoulos

Viviana Tsangaropoulos (Leadership Development): Viviana has been instrumental in our continued discussions and partnerships with Ace Campus Food Pantry. Her excellent organization, open communication and mentorship of student leaders strongly contribute to the success of the pantry partnership with the AAARCC. Thank you, Viviana! — Asian American and Asian Resource and Cultural Center

Mathias Ndizihiwe

Mathias Ndizihiwe (Entomology): Thanks to Mathias for helping us meet our deadline past working hours. You made this semester begin successfully. — Anne N. Lutomia (Entomology)

Brenda Strasser

Brenda Strasser (Building Services): Brenda is a hardworking team member at the Drug Discovery Building! She is always very approachable and conscientious. Brenda is incredibly dedicated to her job and most helpful on all occasions. Please allow me to nominate her for the Thumbs Up award to express our gratitude for all her hard work. — Steve Massey (Purdue Institute for Drug Discovery)

Lorraine Fox, Michelle Jenkins and Janet Rivers

Lorraine Fox, Michelle Jenkins and Janet Rivers (all Finance): Went above and beyond to help close a grant for us! — Casey Delehanty (Finance)

Office of Recruitment, Retention and Diversity staff

Office of Recruitment, Retention and Diversity staff: The Purdue Polytechnic Institute celebrated welcome week during the first week of classes by having events every day to share resources with students, help them get back into the swing of things, learn about campus partners and let them know they are part of the Polytechnic family. Allison Maldonado-Ruiz organized each day, making sure there were fun events, food, student organizations and campus partners for students to meet and get familiar with. Also, a big thank you to the Office of Recruitment, Retention and Diversity staff, who supported Allison each day by making sure there was coverage at check-in, distributing food and manning tables. A big thank you to all our campus partners for supporting welcome week. Finally, a big thank you to the Polytechnic Marketing and Communications team, who distributed over 2,300 T-shirts. They all deserve a thumbs up! — Toni Munguia (Office of Recruitment, Retention and Diversity)

Krannert Graduate Institute staff

Krannert Graduate Institute staff: The Krannert Graduate Institute staff volunteered their time at the Legacy Sports Club’s Back to School Bash on Aug. 3. The Legacy Sports Club gathered and distributed hygiene products and undergarments to 425 students, providing them with essentials that are necessary for the upcoming school year in Tippecanoe County. Stylists, barbers and hairdressers volunteered their time to give haircuts to 66 appreciative attendees. The majority of people take the items and services provided at the event for granted, while the minority consider them luxuries. Staff were honored to assist in setting up games and tents, grilling hot dogs and making and bagging popcorn to serve to the grateful students in attendance. They counted it as a pleasure to volunteer in a community event where they may have supported future Mitchell E. Daniels, Jr. School of Business students! — Karen Poore (Mitchell E. Daniels, Jr. School of Business)

Lesa Beals

Lesa Beals (Office of the Registrar): We had an issue with many co-op students getting accidently dropped. Lesa worked to get those students back into their co-ops. I heard there were roughly 180 total students impacted. Thank you, Lesa, for all the work you do. — LouAnna Eichrodt (Mechanical Engineering)

Ken Siu-Chong

Ken Siu-Chong (Office of the Registrar): Thank you, Ken, for helping me with a student situation. He was quick to respond and found a way to get it worked out for the student! Amazing! — Melissa Westendorf (Mitchell E. Daniels, Jr. School of Business)

Allie Brandt

Allie Brandt (Patti & Rusty Rueff School of Design, Art, and Performance): Allie has done a lot of work to make sure that learners of all styles are accommodated in her class. She truly embodies the idea that accessibility is everyone’s responsibility. Thank you! — Eileen White (Student Success) 

Melissa Mills

Melissa Mills (Athletics Ticket Office): Melissa was very helpful and extremely patient in getting athletic tickets downloaded onto Martin Jischke's cell phone. We could not have done it without her help! We both thank you for your patience and knowledge of the sports app. Marti Van Court and Martin Jischke (both Office of the Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer)