‘Genuinely the finest’

The atmosphere was celebratory as relatives and friends filled Sanders Theatre to honor 65 “Harvard Heroes” from all corners of the University on Thursday. Nominated and selected by their colleagues, these staff members were acknowledged by the leaders of their departments, divisions, or Schools. Their accomplishments were underscored in concise and often heartfelt remarks by President Alan M. Garber.

Entering the theater to the strains of Janelle Monae’s rendition of David Bowie’s “Heroes,” the 65 honorees were celebrated by Executive Vice President Meredith Weenick as “genuinely the finest.”

“In numerous ways, both significant and minor, these individuals exceed expectations in service of Harvard’s mission and in support of its community,” she remarked.

After an introductory video, which noted, among other points, that merely one-half of 1 percent of Harvard employees are designated as Harvard Heroes, Vice President for Human Resources Manuel Cuevas-Trisán commended the honorees’ “exceptional contributions.”

Garber, who was met with an extended standing ovation, expressed gratitude to the gathered honorees for their dedication: “You are the individuals who persist, who continue to show up, because you believe in the significance of effecting real, positive change — for students, for colleagues, and for the broader world.”

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Alumni Affairs and Development

Honorees: Kelly Hahn, Director of Content Strategy; John Prince, Associate Director, Reunions and Classes

Cheers accompanied Garber’s acknowledgment of Hahn’s accomplishments when he deviated from his written comments praising her efforts in establishing a centralized resource “amid complex current events” to add, “That’s an understatement!”

Harvard Graduate School of Education

Honorees: Andrea Le, Associate Director, Community Building and International Student Support; Allison Pingree, Associate Director, Instructional Support and Development; Faina Gould, Senior Research Development Manager

“You’ve been the ideal kind of action hero for crucial research initiatives in a rapidly changing grants landscape,” said Garber, praising Gould.

Harvard Business School

Honorees: Madeline Meehan, Director, Campus Activation; Katia Muser, Senior Director, Software Delivery Excellence; Robin Smith, Senior Manager Support Services

Highlighting Smith’s additional role as “a theater performer,” Garber concluded, “your compassionate and uplifting style steals the spotlight.”

Harvard Public Affairs and Communications

Honoree: Senior Writer Alvin Powell

“Thank you for documenting Harvard’s history,” stated Garber, “one article at a time.”

Campus Services

Honorees: Timothy Allen, Crew Chief A; Associate Director Matthew Civittolo; Generator Mechanic/Working Foreman Aaron Mayerson; Associate Director of Biosafety Angela Reid; Crimson Catering and Event Services Director Kyle Ronayne; Senior Accounting Manager Angelina Yun

Referring that “Commencement and Reunions require 121 tents, 5,859 tables, and 66,740 chairs,” during his speech to Ronayne, Garber concluded: “Everything comes together because of just one of you.”

Harvard Federal Credit Union

Honoree: Lorraine Gadsby, Lead Member Services Representative

Praising her “pragmatic response to challenging situations” and “genuine regard for others,” over nearly 40 years at Harvard, Garber also acknowledged Gadsby’s “thoughtful Saturday treats.”

Harvard Medical School

Honorees: Safiya Bobb, Associate Director, Program Operations Executive; Susanne Churchill, Executive Director for Biomedical Informatics; Faculty Affairs Academic Appointments
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Manager Mindy Dellert; Christina Kennedy, Strategic Projects Manager for the Office of Research Administration; Veronica Leo, Program Manager for Academic Advancement; Jennifer Puccetti, Executive Director, Global Health and Social Medicine; Livia Rizzo, MEDscience Senior Associate Director

Engaging in a bit of verbal creativity while commending Bobb’s contributions, Garber remarked, “Because your guidance harmonizes business objectives with employee requirements, the Asynchronous Operations team is perpetually aligned.”

Harvard School of Dental Medicine

Honorees: Academic Societies Coordinator Adrien Doherty; Carrie Sylven, Director of Student Affairs

Garber lauded Sylven’s “tension-reducing ping-pong tournaments.”

Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health

Honorees: Environmental Health Project Coordinator Jeffrey Adams; Henrique Coelho, Assistant Director for PPCR Program Administration; Assistant Director, MPH Generalist and Cross-MPH Programming Megan Kerin; Immunology and Infectious Diseases Director of Administration Marie Richard

Praising Adams, “a public health superhero,” Garber remarked on his capacity to “resolve enduring Institutional Review Board issues with a single email.”

Harvard University Health Services

Honorees: Jason Ward, Director of Health Plan Operations and Member Services; Marie Haley, Primary Care Physician/PCP Team Leader

Referring to Ward as “the Tom Brady of Member Services,” Garber concluded, “colleagues, patients, and providers appreciate that you’re consistently on the ball.”

Harvard Graduate School of Design

Honoree: Keith Gnoza, Director of Financial Assistance/Assistant Director of Student Services

Gnoza’s “genuine compassion and involvement through the Student Emergency Fund offer reassurance and support to students facing unforeseen challenges,” stated Garber.

Harvard Divinity School

Honoree: Senior Graphic Designer Kristie Welsh

Garber commended Welsh’s “exceptional designs,” emphasizing, “through your dedication and ingenuity, the School disseminates its scholarship and valuable work to a broad audience.”

Faculty of Arts and Sciences

Honorees: Associate Dean of Students Lauren Brandt; Ethan Contini-Field, Manager of Asynchronous Course Development; Front Office Manager Kai Crull; Physics Executive Director Despina Bokios; IT Client Support Services Associate Roy Guyton; Business Systems Analyst Raiyan Huq; Magdelena Kenar, Associate Director of Faculty Support Services; Men’s and Women’s Cross Country/Track and Field Associate Head Coach Marc Mangiacotti; Alta Mauro, Associate Dean of Students for Inclusion and Belonging; Paul Rattigan, Senior Concert Piano Technician; Rachel Rockenmacher, Executive Director of the Center for Jewish Studies; Sheila Thimba, Dean for Administration and Finance; Lu Wang, Assistant Director of Undergraduate Studies; Lawrence White, Operations Director for Neuroimaging at the Center for Brain Science

Alongside significant accolades for all honorees, Garber mentioned Crull’s “extraordinary hospitality for Remy the cat,” a beloved campus feline.

Harvard Radcliffe Institute

Honoree: Amanda Lubniewski, Head of Student Engagement

“With sincerity, compassion, and attentiveness, you provide students with unforgettable experiences,” Garber stated.

John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences

Honoree: Leslie Schaffer, Associate Dean for Finance

“You transform lofty concepts into reality,” Garber asserted.

Harvard Law School

Honorees: Emily Newburger, Executive Editor of the Harvard Law Bulletin; Jacqueline Calahong, Staff Assistant, Emmett Environmental Law and Policy Clinic

Complimenting Calahong, Garber remarked, “In all your endeavors, you’re creating a more favorable climate for the clinic and ultimately, for the planet.”

Harvard Library

Honorees: Research Data Services Librarian Julie Goldman; Sarah Hoke, Librarian for Collection Development Management; Juliana Kuipers, Associate University Archivist for Collection Development and Records Management Services

In his praise for Hoke, Garber shared, “With sensible positivity and a passion for service, you’re enhancing access to captivating library collections.”

Harvard University Information Technology

Honorees: David Heitmeyer, Director, Academic Platform Development; Senior Technical Support Engineer Cheryl Johnson; David Sobel, Associate Director for FAS Technology Strategy and Planning

Recognizing Heitmeyer’s 25 years of dedication, which includes introducing international students to “barbecue and Dr. Pepper,” Garber stated: “Fostering a sense of community is in your foundational design.”

Harvard Kennedy School

Honorees: Financial Associate Dawn Hannon; Community Engagement Librarian Alessandra Seiter

“When challenges accumulate, colleagues appreciate being able to rely on you,” Garber remarked regarding Hannon.

Financial Administration

Honorees: Manager of Administration and Operations Alissa Beideck Landry; Portfolio Team Manager Rebecca Looman

Referring to Landry’s management of the department’s recent relocation, Garber noted, “Your flexibility, generosity, and composure under pressure motivate colleagues to follow your example.”

Memorial Church

Honoree: Director of Finance and Operations Charles Anderson

Garber described Anderson as “a true asset to the Mem Church mission of nurturing minds, expanding hearts, and enriching lives.”

Office of the President

Honoree: Carrie Virusso, Receptionist/Staff Assistant

“In such a vibrant, demanding environment, many individuals — including this president — are thankful that your steady presence ensures everything runs smoothly,” Garber stated.

Office of the Vice Provost for Advances in Learning

Honoree: Zachary Wang, Director of Strategic Technology

Referencing Wang’s initiative in launching the Learning Experience Platform, Garber remarked, “Your relentless efforts are transforming education and learning across the University.”

Human Resources

Honoree: Kristina Paolini, Talent Acquisition and Outreach for Human Resources

“Staffing a premier institution is challenging work, but your KSA’s” — knowledge, skills, and abilities — “are paving the way,” Garber said, before urging all honorees to rise for yet another round of roaring cheers and applause.

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