Celebrating the Unrecognized Champions at the Institute
2016 MIT Excellence Awards Highlight Community Heroes and Achievements
The Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) celebrated its annual Excellence Awards ceremony this year, honouring individuals and groups who have gone above and beyond their job requirements. Among the awards presented was the Collier Medal, a new addition in memory of MIT Police Officer Sean Collier who lost his life in the line of duty last April.
The Collier Medal was established to recognise outstanding achievements and contributions to the MIT community. This year, the first posthumous Collier Medal was given to the MIT Police Department, who were lauded for their exceptional service and dedication to the institute. The department was also praised for their bravery and professionalism, particularly in the aftermath of Officer Collier's death.
In addition to the Collier Medal, the MIT Police Department was recognised for their commitment to safety and security on campus. MIT President L. Rafael Reif highlighted their efforts, stating, "The MIT Police Department exemplifies the best of our community, demonstrating a deep sense of duty and a commitment to the well-being of all who call MIT home."
Other recipients of the Excellence Awards included MIT Emergency Medical Services (EMS), who received the first Collier Medal last year. The student-run ambulance service was commended for their design of a new ambulance, which is one of the safest in the country. Collier had also written a letter praising MIT EMS, months before his death.
MIT EMS was recognised for making available time, energy, and expertise beyond what is expected of a student group. Twelve members of MIT Medical also received "Sustaining MIT" awards in recognition of their highly efficient flu clinics that vaccinated 25 percent of the MIT community this winter.
The ceremony concluded with a surprise award for Alison Alden, MIT's outgoing vice president for human resources. Alden's contributions to the institute were recognised with the award, which served as a fitting tribute to her years of service.
While the recipients of the remaining Excellence Awards were not specified, the ceremony served as a reminder of the remarkable achievements and contributions made by individuals and groups within the MIT community. The awards highlighted the spirit of collaboration, innovation, and dedication that defines MIT.
For those interested in learning more about the 2016 recipients of the Collier Medal, it is recommended to consult MIT's official archives, press releases from that year, or contact the MIT awards office directly, as the publicly available search results do not yield this information.
- The MIT Police Department, despite not receiving an award this year, was recognized for their exceptional service, dedication, and bravery with a special mention during the Excellence Awards ceremony.
- The Collier Medal, established in memory of Officer Sean Collier, is associated not only with science and technology but also with health-and-wellness, as a student organization, MIT Emergency Medical Services, was a recipient of the award last year.
- Fitness-and-exercise and home-and-garden might seem unrelated to the MIT Excellence Awards; however, the new ambulance design by MIT EMS showcases their innovation and engineering skills, which could potentially improve these areas.
- As the ceremony showcased, studying science at MIT isn't just about theoretical knowledge, but it also focuses on community services, lifestyle, and well-being, as demonstrated through recipients like the MIT Police Department and MIT EMS.
