Resource Development presented MIT's first Infinite Mile awards for 2003-04, and nomination deadlines are approaching for many other areas at MIT.
Infinite Mile Awards recognize outstanding accomplishments by employees throughout MIT, which is divided into 21 areas. Though most areas will have Infinite Mile Awards ceremonies in the spring and summer, Resource Development presented awards at its recent winter party.
Different areas within MIT have different deadlines for submitting Infinite Mile Award nominations. Several are coming up soon, including the School of Engineering on March 5 and the Libraries on March 19. See http://web.mit.edu/hr/rewards/contact.html for area contacts and nomination forms.
Each unit chooses its own award categories and the number of recipients in each. One of Resource Development's two awards in the "customer and community service" category went to Lisa Frenz and Alicia McConaha from the Office of Gift Planning and Allison King of Development Research and Systems. Together, they identify and inform prospective donors and then facilitate the gift-giving process.
"This program boosts morale a lot, especially because there's the opportunity for anyone in the organization to be recognized," McConaha said.
One of the nominators, associate director of gift planning Matt Leroux, said, "It's great that MIT and Resource Development provide this opportunity to recognize individuals who have really made a difference. Most people in Resource Development would not be aware of this team's contributions--this has put their names and their work out there in a way that they deserve."
"In a year during which MIT has faced great challenge and at times uncertainty, these awards offer a means of acknowledging those who manage change well, provide exceptional support to co-workers, and continue to excel in their roles," said Laura Avakian, vice president for human resources.
For the full list of Resource Development awardees, see http://web.mit.edu/development/rewards/recipients.html. A special section in Tech Talk next September will list this year's awards in all 21 areas.
A version of this article appeared in MIT Tech Talk on February 25, 2004.
