“`html
On Thursday, June 5, eleven individuals and four teams were presented with the MIT Excellence Awards — the most prestigious accolades for personnel at the Institute. Jubilant cheers from peers brandishing vibrant banners and pom-poms resonated in Kresge Auditorium to honor the recipients. Alongside the Excellence Awards, staff members were acknowledged with the Collier Medal, the Staff Award for Distinction in Service, and the Gordon Y. Billard Award.
The Collier Medal commemorates Officer Sean Collier, who sacrificed his life in defense of MIT. This medal acknowledges an individual or group whose actions illustrate the significance of community and whose contributions transcend their professional limits. The Staff Award for Distinction in Service is granted to an individual whose service brings about a positive, enduring impact on the MIT community. The Gordon Y. Billard Award is awarded to staff or faculty members, or those affiliated with MIT, who deliver “exceptional service of notable merit rendered to the Institute.”
The recipients of the 2025 MIT Excellence Award and their respective categories are:
Bringing Out the Best
- Timothy Collard
- Whitney Cornforth
- Roger Khazan
Embracing Inclusion
- Denise Phillips
Innovative Solutions
- Ari Jacobovits
- Stephanie Tran
- MIT Health Rebranding Team, Office of the Executive Vice President and Treasurer: Ann Adelsberger, Amy Ciarametaro, Kimberly Schive, Emily Wade
Outstanding Contributor
- Sharon Clarke
- Charles “Chip” Coldwell
- Jeremy Mineweaser
- Christopher “Petey” Peterson
- MIT Health Accreditation Team, Office of the Executive Vice President and Treasurer: Christianne Garcia, David Podradchik, Janis Puibello, Kristen Raymond
- MIT Museum Visitor Experience Supervisor Team, Associate Provost for the Arts: Mariah Crowley, Brianna Vega
Serving Our Community
- Nada Miqdadi El-Alami
- MIT International Scholars Office, Office of the Vice President for Research: Portia Brummitt-Vachon, Amanda Doran, Brianna L. Drakos, Fumiko Futai, Bay Heidrich, Benjamin Hull, Penny Rosser, Henry Rotchford, Patricia Toledo, Makiko Wada
- Building 68 Kitchen Staff, Department of Biology, School of Science: Brikti Abera, AnnMarie Budhai, Nicholas Budhai, Daniel Honiker, Janet Katin, Umme Khan, Shuming Lin, Kelly McKinnon, Karen O’Leary
The 2025 Collier Medal was awarded to Kathleen Monagle, associate dean and director of disability and access services, student support, and wellbeing in the Division of Student Life. Monagle leads a team that assists nearly 600 undergraduate, graduate, and MITx students with more than 4,000 accommodations. She collaborates with faculty to ensure those students receive the best possible educational experience — both in MIT’s classrooms and online.
This year’s recipient of the 2025 Staff Award for Distinction in Service was Stu Schmill, dean of admissions and student financial services in the Office of the Vice Chancellor. Schmill earned his degree from MIT in 1986 and has since contributed to the Institute in numerous capacities. His colleagues respect his enthusiasm for sharing knowledge; his insights and integrity; and his profound affection for MIT’s culture, values, and community.
Three community members were recognized with a 2025 Gordon Y. Billard Award.
-
William “Bill” Cormier, project technician, Department of Mechanical Engineering, School of Engineering
-
John E. Fernández, professor, Department of Architecture, School of Architecture and Planning; and director of MIT Environmental Solutions Initiative, Office of the Vice President for Research
-
Tony Lee, coach, MIT Women’s Volleyball Club, Student Organizations, Leadership, and Engagement, Division of Student Life
Presenters included President Sally Kornbluth; MIT Chief of Police John DiFava and Deputy Chief Steven DeMarco; Dean of the School of Science Nergis Mavalvala; Vice President for Human Resources Ramona Allen; Executive Vice President and Treasurer Glen Shor; Lincoln Laboratory Assistant Director Justin Brooke; Chancellor Melissa Nobles; and Provost Anantha Chandrakasan.
Visit the MIT Human Resources website for additional details about the award recipients, categories, and to view images and video of the event.
“`