Coronavirus Thank-you Notes from the BU Community
Photo by Cydney Scott
Gratitude
The BU Community’s Thank-you Notes
We asked and you responded—with heartfelt shout-outs to professors, colleagues, students, and friends who’ve helped make the dark days of this pandemic just a little bit brighter
The COVID-19 pandemic has brought out the best in many people—people who have shown compassion and empathy and offered a helping hand to others during this extraordinary time. We asked students, faculty, and staff to email us their thank-you notes to those who have helped, supported, or encouraged them.
Aguinaldo,
Thank you for coming in during the pandemic to ensure that our building is in tip-top shape!
—Sinéad
Sinéad O’Brien, operations manager, BU’s Lab Animal Care Facility, to Aguinaldo Cabral, HVAC and refrigeration mechanic, Campus Planning & Operations
Photo by Jackie Ricciardi
Taylor, Rosemarie, Anthony, Nathaniel, and Harold,
Thank you for your dedication to research at BU. I appreciate each one of you coming in during the pandemic to care for critical studies. Keep up the amazing work!
—Sinéad
Sinéad O’Brien, operations manager, BU’s Lab Animal Care Facility, to Taylor Welch, Rosemarie O’Gara, Anthony Umeh, Nathaniel Burns-Sarno, and Harold Neilson, BU Animal Science Center staff
Nadia,
Your leadership, care, and good heart have shown through during this difficult and trying time. Thank you for being a beacon of positivity and purpose in a time where many are uncertain. It is said that it is in the most difficult times that the truth of a person’s soul is seen.
I see you. And, you are marvelous.
Thank you, and be well,
Gerry Muir
Geraldine Muir, School of Law associate dean for student affairs, to Nadia Lee (LAW’20), president of the LAW Student Government Association
Photo by Cydney Scott
To the Entire EL-OTD Faculty,
Thank you from the bottom of my heart for working so hard to help us continue our education as best as possible given these circumstances. My cohort notices how much time and effort you’ve put into adapting to all of these changes, managing changes in your own personal lives, and still continuing to be exceptional academic and personal/emotional supports. I feel grateful every day that I chose this program, and it’s 100% because of you all. 😊
—Laura
Laura Stursberg (Sargent’21) to the Sargent College of Health & Rehabilitation Sciences entry-level occupational therapy clinical doctorate faculty
Photo by Jackie Ricciardi
Kristen,
Thank you for years of friendship! I’m so happy and proud of your upcoming graduation and can’t wait to send your diploma order! I wish we could celebrate, but I know we’ll make up for it. Thank you for keeping me company during these times and I cherish all the laughter.
—Dorothy
Dorothy Soares-Timas, Office of the University Registrar assistant registrar, graduation and credentials, to Kristen Veiga (Wheelock’20)
Thank you, Susan
Our entire department would never have been able to transition to online learning without the kindness, the calm, the support, and the efficient tutoring and resources that our technical guru, Susan Rice, has given to all of us, as almost 20 faculty members were forced to learn multiple computer programs in less than a week. She continues to be the glue that holds this whole effort together, working to support our staff, our students, and our faculty.
—Kim
Kim Sichel, CAS associate professor of history of art and architecture, to Susan Rice, history of art and architecture department media specialist
Photo by Cydney Scott
Thank you, Kate
As an international student, I was extremely stressed when we received President Brown’s letter announcing the closure of the University’s dorms. I had a headache just thinking about packing up my belongings, finding storage options, and trying to book a flight home. I am immensely grateful to Kate and her family for reaching out to me and letting me know that they were there to help me if needed. With most of my friends having already gone back home and my family being on a different continent, I spent my last few days in Boston feeling extremely tired and anxious. But knowing that there was someone willing to lend a helping hand gave me room to breathe.
—Sung Yeon
Sung Yeon Kim (ENG’20) to Katherine Banacos (CAS’20)
Photo by Cydney Scott
Thank you, Patricia
Thank you for always supporting me. Thank you for your time and investment in me.
God willing, I will make you proud soon.
God bless you and your family.
From Bilqis
Bilqis Williams (SPH’21) to Patricia Fabian, School of Public Health associate professor of environmental health
Hello, Mary, Moe, Ilana, Bonita, and Ryann,
Thank you so much for the incredible support you have provided me in these times. I am super grateful to be a part of this team and could not have asked for better bosses.
—Bilqis
Bilqis Williams (SPH’21) to the SPH Graduate Student Life team
Photo by Jackie Ricciardi
Thank you, Bill and Tom
I wanted to take the time to thank two very hardworking, dedicated employees of Boston University. William Walter, assistant VP, Facilities Management, along with Tom Daley, associate VP, Facilities Management, have been working diligently around the clock to ensure they are keeping our campuses safe and maintained. Their priority, along with their essential staff, is to maintain and keep open University properties and facilities during this pandemic. They are also doing a fantastic job in prioritizing the safety of their staff/team.
Keep up the great management and TEAM work!
—Carlos
Carlos A. Vazquez, Facilities Management & Operations (FMO) director of custodial operations, to Bill Walter, FMO assistant vice president, and Tom Daley, FMO associate vice president
Photo by Cydney Scott
Thank you, Ron
Ron and his team are coordinating the process of moving PPE and other needed supply donations from across BU’s campus to BU and BMC’s various areas of need. This is not an easy task even in normal circumstances and is even more difficult now that human contact is limited. Ron and his team’s work embodies One BU. Thank you, Ron, your entire team, and everyone else involved in this heroic effort.
—Anonymous
Thank you note to Ron Morales, Research Safety director, and Research Safety staff
Photo by Janice Cecchio
Thank you, Barrier Staff
On behalf of Ana and Jessica: We would like to thank the Barrier Animal Science Center Team for the amazing work they continue to do. Their courage to come in daily to perform the necessary tasks to ensure research does not halt inspires us. Seeing their dedication and good spirits through this hard time motivates us to work harder and continue to fight through this crisis as a team!
Keep up the great work.
—Ana and Jess
Jessica Reyes, operations manager, and Ana Lemus, animal care supervisor, BU Animal Science Center (BUASC), to the BUASC barrier staff
Thank you, Janice and Jackie
To my wonderful sister-in-law and niece, who decided on nursing as a career. I wish them safety, health, and strength to get through this. You are loved and a simple thank-you is not enough to express how proud we are of you.
The same message of thanks and love goes out to all the rest of the nurses and medical professionals in our extended family and friends.
To Cassie, Carol, Ashley and Jim, Laura, Sarah, Amanda, Beth and Jack, Paula, Jaime and Lisa, you all rock! Our love to you and prayers for your safety for the duration of this crisis and beyond!
—Larry
Larry Ouellette, IS&T senior operations analyst, to his sister-in-law, Janice Ouellette, and niece, Jackie Ouellette
Photo by Cydney Scott
Thank you, Sophie
Thank you for being such a caring, kind, and understanding professor during these times. You have gone above and beyond for us and we appreciate you so much!
—Monica
Monica C. (CAS’20) to Sophie Godley, SPH clinical assistant professor of community health sciences
Photo by Cydney Scott
Thank you, Daniel
Thank you for your compassion and understanding during this time, for making yourself available to students, and for striving to teach a class that is particularly challenging in the online format with enthusiasm and humor. 😊
—Kate
Kate Garrison (SPH’21) to Daniel Merrigan (Wheelock’83, SPH’85), SPH associate professor of community health sciences
Cara,
Thank you for everything you have done to support all of us during this time. Your genuine care, concern, and understanding have meant more than you will ever know. You have gone above and beyond to make this transition as smooth as possible for us, and your efforts have not gone unnoticed. Thank you for being a support and sense of stability in a below average situation. You have such a big heart and it has shown during this time more than ever. Thank you for all you do!!
—Jenna
Jenna Zajac (Sargent’24) to Cara Lewis, Sargent associate professor of physical therapy and athletic training and Rehabilitation Sciences program director
Photo by Cydney Scott
Thank you, Farmer Family
I know I wrote a perfunctory letter before but it was above and beyond to take me in again (especially after my spring break flu and inability to partake in even normal activities like watching Keeping Up with the Kardashians or walking). I would like to take this time to thank you all again and send my and my family’s utmost love and gratitude to you all! I am having Macy withdrawal, weirdly.
—Maneesha
Maneesha Kaur Khalae (CAS’21) to the Farmers, parents of BU classmate Emily Farmer (CAS’21, Wheelock’21)
Photo by Cydney Scott
Thank you, Tracy
While recovering from the coronavirus herself, my mom has continued to remain dedicated to her role as the director of the Women’s Health Unit at BMC. She has volunteered to be on call remotely from home to support the hospital during the pandemic. She has remained a role model to help people who need it even more than herself. THANK YOU, MOM! Thank you to BMC! This hospital needs our support!
—Sammy
Samantha Simonetti (Sargent’23) to Tracy Battaglia (CAS’92, MED’96, SPH’01), BU School of Medicine associate professor of medicine and director of the Boston Medical Center Women’s Health Unit
Dear Julia,
Thanks for being an awesome teammate and wonderful friend during this time. We are getting through it together, and I feel so blessed to have you in my life. I hope our work on this project for Kupenda doesn’t end when this class does, and maybe one day we will find ourselves traveling to Kenya to train their Kuhenza staff!! I can’t wait until we can hang out again, and ride bikes, and do barre. We always have so much fun! Soon we will, oh, and you have to share that amazing cookie recipe with me!! Maybe I can try to make it, and share some with you. 😊
Lots of love from your friend,
Caroline
Caroline F. (SPH’20) to classmate Julia N. (SPH’21)
Photo by Cydney Scott
Thank you, Professor Sreedhar
Thank you for perfectly re-creating our class environment online. I genuinely feel like I’m learning, making this uncomfortable time feel a little more familiar.
—Aalia
Aalia Buachale (CAS’22) to Susanne Sreedhar, College of Arts & Sciences associate professor of philosophy
Photo by Cydney Scott
Dear Marla,
Thank you for all the support you continue to offer your graduate students. You are constantly a source of comfort and reassurance, no matter the circumstances, so it only makes sense that you still continue to be that for us. From the start of all this pandemic confusion, you put aside your personal life and stepped up for us, advocating for us, and meeting us where we are at. You offered us supervision, words of comfort, and flexibility in assignments. I have no doubt you have also done this for your clients as well. Marla, you are a modern-day hero and someone I continue to look up to and aspire to become. Thank YOU for everything you do for us measly old Sport Psych grad students. 😊
—Ariana
Ariana DiPreta (Wheelock’21) to Marla Zucker, Wheelock College of Education & Human Development lecturer in counseling, psychology, and applied human development
Elizabeth,
It is safe to say that our definition of crisis may be different now than it was before this pandemic but through all of the ups and downs at work and outside of it, you’ve offered a listening ear and support that has meant the world to me. You are one of the most genuine individuals I’ve had the pleasure of working with and I am incredibly grateful to call you a friend as well as a colleague.
I am looking forward to when we are back in the office as cube neighbors!
—Maura
Maura C. Monahan, IS&T business systems analyst II, to Elizabeth Mauro, IS&T project manager III
Photo by Cydney Scott
Thank you, Kelly
I want to thank Kelly from deep in my heart for creating the Facebook group The Social Distance. It was specifically designed for those friends invited to share thoughts, memes, and other images of support for all of us in the group. It has been a place to share anxieties, innermost thoughts, and especially humor (the best weapon in a time like this) without fear of being flamed. Indeed, it is literally the only Facebook group where I truly feel free to just be myself. It has made a difference in coping during this difficult time. Thanks, Kelly. You’re one of God’s angels.
—Jim
Jim Macika, father of Allison Macika (CAS’14), to friend Kelly Thewlis
Professor Sender,
Hello from Nicole and Magdalene! We wanted to say a quick hi and above all, extend our gratitude for your mentorship and encouragement during this challenging and uncertain time. We both feel incredibly lucky to have been able to take CM331 with you in the fall and to have you as a resource and mentor. CM331 was one of the best and most meaningful classes we have taken at BU. We learned so much and it was the place we were able to meet each other!
We look forward to the next time we can connect with you in person. (Maybe at Commencement?!) As for now, we’ll keep in touch virtually. We hope you and your family are continuing to stay safe and healthy.
Many thanks again!
Best,
Nicole and Magdalene
#yosender
Nicole Reichwald (CAS’20) and Magdalene Soule (COM’20) to Craig Sender, College of Communication lecturer in mass communication, advertising, and public relations
Photo by Cydney Scott
Thank you, Susan
I’d like to thank my sister, Susan, who is a nurse and is out there helping others. She suffered through the coronavirus herself and was fortunate enough to have a mild case and was anxious to get back out to work. Here’s a huge shout-out to her and all the nurses, doctors (and other hospital staff), EMTs, firefighters, police, and government employees that are still going into the office as well as other responders who are out there for the benefit of others! May you and your loved ones be blessed with good health. We are all in this together and we shall overcome this together. Stay BOSTON STRONG!
—Nancy
Nancy Geourntas, executive assistant to the dean, CAS, to her sister, Susan Rolfe
Photo by Janice Cecchio
Thank you, Andrew
Thank you for being so kind, courteous, and understanding during this time. You’ve shown an unwavering passion for teaching, and I someday hope to be just as good of a mentor as you are. Keep up the good work.
—Anonymous
Note to Andrew Duffy, CAS master lecturer in physics
Geraldy,
Thank you for not only keeping us updated on our workplace situation but also for being such a good friend and checking up on us while still trying to keep a positive spin on this situation. Yin and Yang are the cutest and everyone at BU deserves to see them. Maybe Rhett can have a friend? HAHAHA, but seriously, thank you, and I look forward to working for you again in the fall (hopefully)!
—Angelica
Angelica Nieto (CAS’23) to Geraldy Charlotin, Agganis Arena assistant operations manager
Photo by Cydney Scott
Thank you, readers
We would like to take this opportunity to thank you, our readers. We hope you and your loved ones are staying safe and healthy during this time, and we look forward to the day when all of BU’s campuses are once again humming with energy and life and the passions that you bring every day.
—BU Today staff
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