2024 Outstanding Service Award for Staff
The Outstanding Service Award for Staff recognizes staff members in our community who are dedicated to serving their department and the college as a whole— strengthening the Arts & Sciences community and creating an impact on the college.
Todd Blute, Imaging Laboratory Manager, Biology
Todd directs the Imaging Core and Proteomics Core Facilities in the Department of Biology. He oversees and trains faculty, students, and staff from his own department, as well as from Psychological & Brain Sciences and Biomedical Engineering, in complex imaging processes. One nominator wrote: “Todd is unusually plugged into the community. He is not just a regular but a stalwart at departmental seminars and student presentations where he contributes thoughtful questions and scientific input. I can’t think of a student thesis presentation or work-in-progress seminar where he isn’t acknowledged in the final slide. When I first arrived at BU and noticed this happening, I assumed that it was a polite gesture, but it quickly became clear that it reflected a real contribution. In most of these cases, Todd had made a genuine contribution to moving their individual science forward in some meaningful way.”
Another nominator added: “Todd has been an invaluable resource to the [biology] department… His skills and experience are critical to the success of our new faculty in their research projects… He has made a major impact in the Biology Department and other life science departments at BU over the past twenty-plus years. He is also dedicated to BU – he is one of our PhD alumni and a parent of two Terriers.”
Julia Hammer Mendez, Program Manager, Boston University Marine Program
Julia’s nominators spoke very highly of her good character and outstanding contributions to her community. “Simply, the BU Marine Program would not function without Julia,” writes her nominator. In addition to being an exceptional administrator, the nominator noted that she “manages to be there for the students in a very human way”. Under her management, the number of undergraduates in the BU Marine Program (BUMP) has seamlessly doubled from around 50 to over 100. From streamlining administrative processes to managing contingency plans for hurricanes affecting BUMP’s field site in Belize, Julia is truly the anchor of the program and highly deserving of this award.
Shelby Shipley, Administrative Coordinator, Center for Anxiety & Related Disorders
Shelby’s nominator writes “It is no exaggeration to say that she is the heart of our clinic. Shelby’s incredible work ethic, organization, kindness, and patience make her the go-to for faculty, staff, students, and patients at the clinic when a question arises… In short, she is irreplaceable.” She is dedicated to building a welcoming community at the Center for Anxiety & Related Disorders (CARD). Her nominator shares: “Staff, students, and faculty described Shelby to me as “a joy to work with”, “delightful”, and as having “a tremendously positive attitude, shining light wherever she goes”.