On June 5, a vibrant celebration took place at MIT, where 13 exceptional individuals and four dedicated teams received MIT Excellence Awards—the Institute’s most prestigious recognition for staff contributions. Supporters filled Kresge Auditorium, holding signs, waving pompoms, and expressing their appreciation for the honorees. In addition to the Excellence Awards, several individuals were celebrated with the Collier Medal, the Staff Award for Distinction in Service, and the Gordon Y. Billard Award.
The Collier Medal is a heartfelt tribute to Officer Sean Collier, who heroically protected and served the MIT community. This accolade acknowledges individuals or groups whose actions underscore the importance of community involvement. Meanwhile, the Staff Award for Distinction in Service recognizes a staff member whose contributions have made a significant and lasting impact on MIT.
Additionally, the Gordon Y. Billard Award honors staff, faculty, or affiliates who have rendered “special service of outstanding merit” to MIT. This year marked the inaugural presentation of this award at the MIT Excellence Awards and Collier Medal ceremony.
The recipients of the 2024 MIT Excellence Awards and their respective categories are as follows:
- Innovative Solutions
- The Peterson (1957) Nanotechnology Materials Core Facility staff from the Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research, including Margaret Bisher, Giovanni de Nola, David Mankus, and Dong Soo Yun
- Bringing Out the Best
- Salvatore Ieni
- James Kelsey
- Lauren Pouchak
- Serving Our Community
- Megan Chester
- Alessandra Davy-Falconi
- David Randall
- Days Weekend Team, Department of Custodial Services: Karen Melisa Betancourth, Ana Guerra Chavarria, Yeshi Khando, Joao Pacheco, and Kevin Salazar
- IMES/HST Academic Office Team, Institute for Medical Engineering and Science, School of Engineering: Traci Anderson, Joseph R. Stein, and Laurie Ward
- Team Leriche, Department of Custodial Services: Anthony Anzalone, David Solomon Carrasco, Larrenton Forrest, Michael Leriche, and Joe Vieira
- Embracing Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
- Outstanding Contributor
- Paul W. Barone
- Marcia G. Davidson
- Steven Kooi
- Tianjiao Lei
- Andrew H. Mack
This year, the prestigious Collier Medal was awarded to Benjamin B. Lewis, a graduate student from the Institute for Data, Systems and Society within the MIT Schwarzman College of Computing. Last spring, Lewis established the Cambridge chapter of End Overdose, a nonprofit organization focused on reducing drug overdose fatalities. His initiative has equipped over 600 individuals in the Greater Boston area, including many at MIT, with training to administer lifesaving interventions.
The 2024 Staff Award for Distinction in Service was bestowed upon Diego F. Arango from the Department of Custodial Services. Arango, a custodian in Building 46, received nominations from 36 colleagues, students, and faculty, who praised him for fostering a positive work environment and providing help to anyone in need.
Three esteemed community members were awarded the 2024 Gordon Y. Billard Award:
- Deborah G. Douglas, Senior Director of Collections and Curator of Science and Technology at the MIT Museum
- Ronald Hasseltine, Assistant Provost for Research Administration in the Office of the Vice President for Research
- Richard K. Lester, Vice Provost for International Activities and Japan Steel Industry Professor of Nuclear Science and Engineering in the School of Engineering
This auspicious ceremony featured presenters such as President Sally Kornbluth, MIT Chief of Police John DiFava, Deputy Chief Steven DeMarco, and various esteemed leaders from across the Institute.
For additional details on the award recipients, categories, and to view event photos and videos, please visit the MIT Human Resources website.
Photo credit & article inspired by: Massachusetts Institute of Technology