Our congratulations and thanks to the recipients of our eleventh Infinite Mile Awards.
Abby Benson for Problem Solving and Leadership
Gail Fillion for Public, Customer, or Client Relations
Kimberly Nelson for Collaboration and Teamwork
Emily Paramore for Community Building
Gayle Gallagher and Ted Johnson for Special Recognition
Abby Benson
President Hockfield acknowledges Abby Benson's many contributions during the course of the last year
Abby Benson accepts her award from President HockfieldAbby Benson, Assistant Director, Washington Office, for Problem Solving and Leadership
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While representing MIT with intelligence, poise and tact, you provide outstanding leadership in Washington for the entire university community. As an advocate for funding in areas critical to the nation's future, you deliver the clear, substantive, strategic messages that can make all the difference on Capitol Hill. You work tirelessly to ensure that MIT has a voice in shaping vital national policy on energy technology and on funding for basic and applied research. You are a remarkable problem solver and a highly creative contributor, exhibiting a srong "get it done" perseverance and determination. In short, you are an indispensible champion for MIT in Washington -- and a delight for everyone who works with you.
Gail Fillion
Gail Fillion (left) with Doris Drake
Greg Morgan recognizes Gail FillionGail Fillion, Legal Assistant, Office of the General Counsel, for Public, Customer, or Client Relations
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No matter what the assignment, you intuitively look beyond the initial task to understand the larger strategic purpose, demonstrate keen attention to detail, and take ownership of the process to make sure that every aspect is completed properly and on time. Your work ethic is second-to-none. You are a pro at balancing rapidly changing priorities while handling the ongoing daily responsibilities that keep the office running smoothly. Key to your substantial success is your kindness to others and your ability to acknowledge and relate to their needs. You are a willing listener, an encouraging friend, a helping hand, a calming influence, a solid foundation and a shining example for all who have the opportunity to work with you.
Kimberly Nelson
Kimberly Nelson enjoys the celebration with colleagues
Kimberly Nelson accepts her award from Kirk KolenbranderKimberly Nelson, Administrative Assistant, Office of Institute Events, for Collaboration and Teamwork
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Your extraordinary organizational skills have made a decisive difference in the success of MIT150, especially the Infinite History project and the Next Century Convocation. Your management of the regalia for the many hundreds who participated in this spring's Convocation and for the thousands involved in Commencement each year flowed seamlessly and without a wrinkle, even in the face of the inevitable last-minute cancellation or addition. You serve as an outstanding shepherd of the MIT150 Steering Committee, whose members immediately came to count on you as a trusted resource and ally. Even when juggling several projects and responding to a cascade of requests, your skills are matched only by your unflappability and good cheer.
Emily Paramore
Emily Paramore with (l to r) Peggy Peterson, Kendall McWilliam, and Ted Johnson
Kirk Kolenbrander recognizes Emily ParamoreEmily Paramore, Administrative Assistant, Office of Government and Community Relations, for Community Building
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Your writing and critical thinking skills are indispenable in our efforts to build a foundation of goodwill and understanding between Town and Gown. Few can match your diligence, accuracy, inspired creativity, clarity of communication and lightning-fast responsiveness. Even at the hight of our bustling schedule of tasks and events, you patiently field questions, both simple and complex, with unwavering patience and your delightful smiling wit. Your knowledge and understanding of MIT's operations and culture are truly remarkable. In your work with department ambassadors for Community Giving, you bring an invaluable depth of knowledge, enthusiasm and good humor -- making you a fantastic ambassador yourself.
Gayle Gallagher and Ted Johnson
President Hockfield expresses her gratitude to Gayle Gallagher and Ted Johnson as Ann McNamara looks on
Gayle Gallagher, President Hockfield, and Ted JohnsonGayle Gallagher, Senior Director, and Ted Johnson, Managing Director, Institute Events, received a special surprise recognition in honor of their leadership with the MIT150 celebration
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You deserve infinite credit for the triumph of inspiration, substance and logistics that has been MIT150. You both offer the rare combination of precision, foresight and attention to every detail that has been so crucial in making MIT150 such an enormous success. You have displayed an equally rare gift for demonstrating the distributed leadership that allowed you to rally and inspire hundreds of colleagues to rise to this gigantic challenge. You have enabled MIT to share its story with the world as it has simply never done before. You have given our own community many memorable, immediate delights, and something more: a profound sense of pride and reaffirmation that will have lasting impact on the life of MIT.