Thank You Essential Staff

"I want to thank all our front-line employees who come to campus every day to ensure that essential operations continue and whose stellar work and dedication is commendable beyond words."

David Greenberg, Executive Vice President, Facilities and Operations

Every member of our organization is essential to Facilities and Operations’ mission — and never more so than in this intense and difficult time. But much of this essential work cannot be done from home.  Over 900 Facilities and Operations employees come to campus to take extraordinary measures to support the entire Columbia Community by providing essential services, maintaining business operations and ensuring the safety of everyone at Columbia. 

Facilities and Operations dedicates this page to them. 

Members of the Columbia community shared their appreciation and admiration for all of the essential workers keeping us fed, safe and healthy during this crisis.  Read their thank you messages below.

From Residents

A message from a resident that reads, "thank you for all your dedication, hard work and kindness during this past year. It was the first year of my graduate program, and it was a very stressful time. It was reassuring to know that at least we were under the care of very kind, helpful staff!"
A message that reads, "hank you to the wonderful building staff for taking care of us during this difficult time. You are what makes Columbia my home away from home, and I am so grateful for your help, support, and friendly smiles every day. Thank you for everything you do!"
A message from a resident that reads, "Dear Dolores, Pete, Gregory, and Sixto - many, many thanks for your conscientious attitude and daily efforts to keep our building clean and safe. We deeply appreciate having you here during the pandemic and quarantine. Stay safe! Stay Well! We need you and e care about you!"
A message from a resident that reads, "Thank you for working every single day, even during these tough times, to keep things functional, hygienic, safe, and convenient for us. You guys are true heroes and deserve the greatest respect for your selfless and benevolent actions. We can't thank you enough!"
"Many thanks for all the work that you do behind the scenes to keep our building safe and clean... Special thanks to Superintendent Luis Alejo for always being readily available and solutionoriented. Les agradezco sus efuerzos y su maravillosa etica professional."
A message from a resident that reads, "Thank you to all of the staff! These times have been especially challenging, but I am extremely thankful for the sacrifice the staff have made to keep us all safe. I hope you can still sense my smile under my mask."

From CUFO Employees

A man wearing a blue polo and mask sits in front of a desktop computer at an office cubicle
Ace Valentine, Public Safety

"Thank you!"

Graphic with blue heart and text: Thank You
Aisha Holder, Counseling & Psychological Services

"Thank you for the amazing work you do to support the Columbia community"

A woman wearing a blue paisley baseball cap holds a sign that says, "Thank you for all you do. CUFO strong!"
Annette Lopes, Human Resources

"Thank you for all you do. CUFO strong!"

Graphic with blue heart and text: Thank You
Bill Hoffman, Plant Engineering

"Thank you to all the essential workers, managers and staff whose courage is shown and demonstrated by their dedication on a daily basis to the job and the Columbia community at-large. Thank you again."

A man sits in front of computer desk
Charles Ng, Manhattanville Development Group

"CUFO, Thank You!!!"

A man wearing a Columbia-branded zip-up hoodie holds a handmade sign that says, "#CUFO Strong, #Lion Pride"
Daniel Held, Strategic Communications

"Not all heroes wear capes. Thank you front-line Facilities and Operations staff!
#CUFOSTRONG #LIONPRIDE"

A bearded man holding a sign that reads, "Hey y'all, thanks for keeping the campus running. Cheers, Dan - Washington Heights" in an apartment with a brick wall
Daniel Allalemdjian, Environmental Stewardship

"Way to go!"

A woman with dark hair and brown eyes smiles and looks into the camera
Dee Akpinar-Ozdenli, Finance and Administration

"Thank you for all you are doing, CUFO team! Be safe and well. Special shout-out to Residential Operations and Parking Attendants!"

A man wearing a mask sits at a desk in an office that has memorabilia posted to the wall
Don Schlosser, Campus Operations

"Thank you!"

A smiling man sitting on the grass, holding a thank you sign while his golden retreiver tries to lick his face
Ed Oldak, Manhattanville Operations

"Thank you for everything you do!!!!" #CUFOSTRONG #Teamwork

Graphic with blue heart and text: Thank You
Erika Gaynor, Residential

"I am grateful to and for our dedicated building superintendents, porters and handymen who work tirelessly to oversee their buildings but also the elderly and at-risk population. Many of them do wellness checks knocking on doors and have been looking in on this vulnerable group to be sure they have food and are feeling well. I'm deeply touched by their concern, their care and for going above and beyond. There are no words. Blessings and thanks to you. We see you!"

A smiling woman wearing a blue puffy vest sits in front of a notebook with a pen in her hand
Eleonora Andreeva, Manhattanville Development Group

"Thank you for your sacrifice to keep us all safe and in operation! Looking forward to coming back!"

A screenshot of a video conference call showing people holding handmade thank you signs
Event Management Team

"The Event Management team is so grateful for the hard work and dedication of the essential workers on campus. Thank you all so much!"

A man looks into the camera and gives a thumbs up in front of a wall full of books
Fred Small, Facilities Services Center

"Thanks and admiration to you guys for putting yourself out there!"

Graphic with blue heart and text: Thank You
Gary Brown, Manhattanville Development Group

"A great, big THANK YOU to all the essential CUFO staff for maintaining our buildings and grounds, and helping the rest of us stay safe. We really appreciate all your hard work and dedication, especially during these difficult circumstances. Stay strong, stay safe!"

A woman with glasses holds up a notebook that says, "Thank you"
Gayle Gatchalian, Strategic Communications

"When I clap at 7PM, I clap for you and your dedication to showing up to work and keep our community going. So proud and grateful to call you my colleagues."

Graphic with blue heart and text: Thank You
Geraldine Brown-Marche, Campus Operations

"THANK YOU, THANK YOU ... Stay safe & healthy."

Graphic with blue heart and text: Thank You
Ghana Fickling, Manhattanville Development Group

"Thank you all for your dedication and hard work, especially at this time. It is always appreciated and more so now!"

A graphic with text: Many thanks for all your hard work/we are so thankful for all that you do.
Hany Ayoub, Manhattanville Development Group

"Thank you for your hard work and dedication during this unusual time. We appreciate all you do, every day. God bless you!"

A screenshot of a video conference call showing five people smiling at the camera
Human Resources Team

"From our team to yours, we thank you for the continued support of the Columbia community! #ColumbiaTogether #StaySafe #CUStrong"

Lizbeth Rivera, Cleolaine Campbell, Ann Bloom, Jillian Vincenty and Michael Roman

A woman wearing a yellow shirt with a laptop on her lap smiles at the camera
Janice Erskine, Environmental Stewardship

"Thank you ALL for continuing to make things look so seamless! You are appreciated! Be safe and stay healthy!"

A person with glasses facing a laptop giving a thumbs-up sign.
Jay Zwicker, Public Safety

"Thinking about all of my colleagues and co-workers taking care of business every day. Thank you!"

A person sitting in an office, smiling at the camera
Jeannine Jennette, Public Safety

"I cannot stress enough how proud I am of the way my staff performs during these difficult times we are living in. Being an essential worker is not just a title, it is being confronted with the consequences of this overwhelming pandemic on a daily basis. Serving the University community with pride, professionalism, and service is not only our motto but, now more than ever, it's what we embody in everything we do."

Graphic with blue heart and text: Thank You
Jennifer Kearney, Operations

"Thank you team! You are real #HEROES. You make everything possible for the rest of us and your dedication to the University is appreciated so much! Stay safe and healthy!"

A swan swimming across dark blue water
Jorge Farina, Public Safety

"The above gracefulness of a swan overshadows the hectic paddling that takes place underwater. Your hard work and dedication could be overshadowed, but the same way a swan could not move without paddling, we, as a Team, could not succeed without your hard work and commitment. You are no longer overshadowed and I am proud and thankful of you."

A person with glasses and dark brown hair and a beard siting in an office
José A. Morel, Manhattanville Development Group

"If life was a Twitter page, #kindness, #compassion & #benevolence would be trending because of you. Thank You for your Service!"

Graphic with blue heart and text: Thank You
Juan Carlos Rosario, Undergraduate Residential Operations

"Hello Team! Thanks for all your hard work in the dorms and around campus as we continue to provide the excellent service we are known for."

A person with glasses smiles at the camera. Behind him is a wall-mounted filing cabinet and desk with files and materials on it.
Keith Pettey, Manhattanville Development Group

"I would like to thank the front line facilities persons for keeping our campus running smoothly during this difficult time. You all came to work while many of us remained safe in our homes. Thank you!"

Graphic with blue heart and text: Thank You
Kim D'Eustachio, Events Administration

"Thank you for all that you do and continue to do during this unprecedented time! Your support and commitment to the Columbia community is greatly appreciated!"

A young boy holding a handmade picture of Spiderman stands next to his mother who is holding a handmade thank you sign.
Kristina Hernandez, Strategic Communications

"I'm proud to be your colleague and part of this organization. Rex and Spider-Man thank you too."

Two teenagers sit with their white and brown dog in front of a fireplace with a Thank You sign
Lance Symons, Manhattanville Operations

"Thank You For All You Do! All Your Efforts Are Truly Appreciated!! God Bless!!"

A man wearing a white polo looks into the camera
Luis Alejo, Residential

"Thank you for all your support and the great job you are doing!"

Photo collage of Manhattanville Operations team with Thank You signs
Manhattanville Operations Team

Thank you!!

Top Row (L-R): Tom O'Donnell, Jimmy Lucca, Cinque Troutman, Seena Li, John Joyce, Janet Parrales
Bottom Row (L-R): Janeica Davia, Scott Johnson, Larry Leith

A collage of Public Safety officers at the Manhattanville Operations Center
Manhattanville Public Safety Team

"Greetings from Manhattanville! Thank you to all our colleagues who are working on the front lines and behind the scenes to make our community a safe and healthy place. We appreciate you!"

A man wearing a green Jets baseball cap holds a shirt that says, "Hope, heal, inspire, Columbia"
Manny Vasquez, Procurement

"Hope, heal & inspire – the Columbia way! Thank you for your dedication and inspiring us all."

A woman with brown hair makes a peace sign. She sits in front of a laptop.
Maria Fernandez, Human Resources

"Thank you for your dedication. You are our heroes!"

A person wearing a green jacket stands in front of an abstract sculpture on front of Uris Lawn.
Mark Cabaroy, Facilities Services Center

"Thank you for your service!"

Graphic with blue heart and text: Thank You
Mary Waldorf, Campus Operations

"Thank you for all you do to keep Columbia running strong! Hope to see you all soon. You rock"

A man in front of the Bubble at Baker Field Hospital with blue text up top that says CUFO Strong!
Michael Cabanlit, Physical Plant

"1 2 3 Hard Work!! 4 5 6 FAMILY! Profound Thank You to ALL!"

A person wearing glasses and a dark blue t-shirt makes a thumb up sign. He sits at a desk. A computer monitor is behind him.
Michael Roman, Human Resources

"Thank you for all you have done and continue to do to support the Columbia Community!"

The Morningside campus Public Safety team members sit in an office with masks on
Morningside Public Safety Team

"Hello and smiles from Morningside! (Well, trust us, there are smiles.) Just wanted to say thank you to all of the dedicated members of our Public Safety Team!"

A person with glasses and a red shirt holds up a homemade sign that says "Thank You"
Nicholas Hill, Finance and Administration

"Thank you so much, every day!"

A man wearing a Columbia baseball cap holds a poster that says, "Thank you! #CUFO Proud"
Noah Lichtman, Strategic Communications

"My deepest appreciation and gratitude for all CUFO colleagues working on the frontlines. Your dedication is making a difference in the lives of people throughout the university at a time when they need it most. Thank you!"

A collage of photos of essential Facilities workers throughout campus
Paul Natter, Electrical Systems

"Thanks to our Boots on the ground weathering the storm!"

A man with glasses smiles and holds up sign that says "Smiles are contagious"
Phil Kretzmer, Manhattanville Development Group

"A great big THANK YOU to all of our essential workers. You motivate me."

A group of people with masks on sitting in a computer room with multiple computer monitors with detailed information displayed on the desk and multiple clocks on the wall.
Physical Plant Team

"Through Hurricane Sandy, Snowstorms, and NOW COVID-19. Thank you for your courage and essential work for Columbia University"

A person with dark hair and a beard wearing a maroon hoodie, smiling and giving two thumbs up
PJ Reilly, Procurement

"Hi CUFO Team, thank you for always being ROCKSTARS and supporting us all during this tough time."

Graphic with blue heart and text: Thank You
Rich Bova, Undergraduate Residential Operations

"For all staffs working to support the current residential population, especially those in the buildings cleaning and repairing, I simply say thank you! Your collective good work allows for the collective good work of others - it is transformative, inspiring, and most of all, shows how truly amazing you are!!! I thank you!"

A person wearing a blue hat and glasses holds up a sign that says, "proud to work with the bravest."
Ryan Mao, Physical Plant

"CUFO STRONG!"

Graphic with blue heart and text: Thank You
SF, Finance and Administration

"Thank you isn't enough! We are grateful for you! Stay safe!"

A woman wearing a grey Columbia-branded jacket holds a handmade thank you sign in her home next to a stained glass window, plant, and grandfather clock
Terri Caldes, Human Resources

"Our heroes wear CU uniforms! Thank you for being there for all of us! #CUFOSTRONG"

A man wearing a white button down shirt sits at a desk giving the thumbs-up sign.
Toufik Chebab, IT

"Forever grateful to you, CUFO Team, for all your hard frontline work during these extraordinary times. Thank you, and be safe!"

A group poses in an office with thumbs up
Undergraduate Residential Operations Team

"THANK YOU !!! What an honor to work with such dedicated people!!"

A laptop is open with a Word document on the screen that reads, "Thank you essential workers" in caps.
Walter Hubbard, Campus Operations

"Thank you everyone, for all you do!"

A woman sits at a round table holding an Ipad that reads, "Thank you for your hard work and dedication."
Yanira Sanchez, Human Resources

"Special thanks to the Dining department!"

From CUFO Leadership

Image with text: Campus Services, "There is something distinctive and uniquely courageous about those who wake up everyday and come on site to support our students and others," Scott Wright, Vice President
Image with text: Dining, "Our focus, as always, is to provide good food and a sense of community for our students – that’s never been more important than it is now," Vicki Dunn, Assistant Vice President
Image with text: Health, "I am inspired by Columbia Health's dedication to providing world class health care and support services to our students during this challenging time," Melanie Bernitz, Assistant Vice President and Medical Director
Image with text: Housing & Lerner Hall, "The leadership team in Housing and every staff member who continues to remain on site has shown a tremendous amount of resiliency and courage, while redefining their dedication to our students," Honey Sue Fishman, Assistant Vice President
Image with text: Mail, Print, and Transportation, "I'd like to express my gratitude and pride for all the officers and support staff who are doing great work even in the most troubling circumstances," Mike Pagan, Executive Director of Administrative Services
Image with text: Operations, "A crisis brings out the true nature of people, and the resilience, dedication, and responsiveness of the Facilities Operations team is amazing," Gerry McGillian, Vice President
Image with text: Public Safety, "I am so proud of our Operations team, uniformed officers and supervisors collectively – all committed to the safety and welfare of the members of the Columbia community," Jim McShane, Vice President
Image with text: Real Estate, "I am extremely proud of our Real Estate team for its unfailing commitment to providing exceptional service to our community," Shari Colburn, Vice President
Image with text: Residential, "All of our success is due to the tireless efforts and dedication of all of our staff who are on the front lines each day proactively taking steps to ensure the health and safety of our residents," Diego Rivera, Assistant Vice President.

From the Columbia Community