Spider Insider

Both Erinn [catering] and Cliff [events, conferences, and support services] went above and beyond to ensure our Scholar Athlete Breakfast was a success. They used creative ways to help us with traffic flow and buffet service. Cliff did a fantastic job making sure we had enough stage to support the award presentations. We greatly appreciated their effort, attention to detail and communication. Thank you!
—Sharon Broyles, Athletics

Shout out to Travis Smith [head, library facilities and logistics] for being on point and opening the library during wave one of Winter Storm Fern. Travis is the unsung hero of library operations. This week exemplifies his service, dedication, and resourcefulness. The impact of his work ensures the library is ready to receive library staff as well as the UR community we serve. Travis presses forward day and night, always has a positive attitude, and brings his best foot forward everyday. We <3 Travis! Thank you!
—Chase Monroe & the Access Services Team

My sincere thanks for ALL that you and your teams did to keep necessary operations steady while simultaneously working to prepare campus to return to a more normal state. The commitment that has been on display these last many days — and is shown every day at UR — highlights the best of who we are. The Student Development team and I are grateful and feel privileged to work with such wonderful and dedicated colleagues. So, thank you. From all of us — staff, faculty, and students alike — for your tremendous efforts.
—Todd Adams, Student Development

Starting our spring semester with wellness! Modlin Center staff enjoyed chair massages with Simon Solomon and smoothies from FlavUR. It was a great way to start the semester energized and a reminder to take care of ourselves. Special thanks to Heather Sadowski for presenting at ‘Elevate Manager: Wellness’ and inspiring the idea — and to Deryk Noonkester for the delicious smoothies. I highly recommend the Spider Sunrise!
—Chris O’Neil, Modlin Center for the Arts

Shout out to Emmanuel Thorne for going above and beyond his duties as custodian working at the Robins Center. My husband and I were at a men’s basketball game, and he dropped his wallet. While cleaning, Emmanuel found it. He drove to our house the next day to return it. We couldn’t thank him enough. We have always been proud to be Spider fans and Emmanuel reinforced that.
—Ann Vazquez, Alumni Engagement (retired)

Kudos to the landscape services team for the outstanding enhancements at the Modlin Center entrance. The new plantings of shrubs and trees have transformed the space, and the thoughtful selection of sustainable varieties shows excellent planning for long-term maintenance and environmental stewardship. The new hardscape features add both visual appeal and structure, creating a more inviting entrance for students, faculty, and visitors. Removing the shrubs in front of the first-floor windows was also a smart choice, likely making a significant difference for those working inside by increasing natural light and improving sight lines. These upgrades reflect the team's commitment to creating beautiful and functional outdoor spaces that enrich our campus experience. Thank you for your excellent work!
—Katreena Clark, University Museums

Shout out to Gordana Siposov for her exceptional performance and outstanding work ethic as a member of our housekeeping team at the Jepson Alumni Center. Her dedication, professionalism, and genuine pride in her work make her an invaluable asset. Gordana consistently goes above and beyond in every aspect of her responsibilities. Whether she is vacuuming our outdoor areas or ensuring that our bathrooms are spotless and welcoming, she approaches each task with the same level of care, precision, and commitment to excellence. Her meticulous attention to detail is evident in the cleanliness of every space she touches. Gordana clearly takes great pride in her work, and it shows not only in the appearance of our facility, but in the improved experience of our staff and guests. Her willingness to step in wherever needed, combined with her calm, professional demeanor, makes her a pleasure to work with and a role model for others. We are grateful for the consistent quality she delivers every day.
—Dana Andalis, Alumni Engagement

A huge shout out to Bryn Taylor for an incredible Weinstein-Rosenthal Forum. There is so much behind the scenes work for this event, and you, as always, knocked it out of the park! Thanks for keeping us in the loop and apprised of our roles day of. Bonus shout out to Modlin, Campus Police, Events, and Catering for all they contribute to making this event so successful.
—Olivia Rosenblum, Chaplaincy