Thank You Essential CUFO 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 Facilities and Operations is essential to CUFO’s mission — and never more so than in this intense and difficult time. But much of this essential work cannot be done from home. There are over 900 CUFO employees still coming to campus and taking 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. 

From CUFO Employees: Notes of Thanks

Let’s come together, spread love and show appreciation to our colleagues on campus going the extra mile.

Submit your message

collage of photos of essential Facilities workers
Paul Natter, Facilities & Operations

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

man with thumbs up
PJ Reilly, Procurement

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

A 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, Office of Environmental Stewardship

"Way to go!"

group poses standing with thumbs up
Rich Bova, Undergraduate Residential Operations

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

man with glasses in 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!"

man in big room
Michael Cabanlit, Physical Plant

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

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

"CUFO, Thank You!!!"

man with glasses smiles and holds up sign
Phil Kretzmer, Manhattanville Development Group

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

man sits with dog on grass holding thank you sign
Ed Oldak, Manhattanville Operations

"Thank you for everything you do!!!!" #CUFO STRONG #Teamwork

Photo collage of Manhattanville Facilities Team with Thank You Sign
Facilities & Operations, Manhattanville Operations

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

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 wearing a grey Columbia-branded jacket holds a handmade thank you sign
Terri Caldes, Human Resources

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

A collage of public safety officers
Joanna White, Public Safety

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

"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 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 older man wearing a white polo and baseball cap sits next to a boy in glasses. They are in an athletic stadium.
Jim McShane, Public Safety

"Thank you all for being on the front lines and for serving the Columbia community so faithfully during these difficult times. You are truly heroes! I am looking forward to getting beyond this crisis and to spending some more sunny days at the Stadium like this one with Aiden at DJ Day!"

A screenshot of a video conference call showing five people.
Jillian Vincenty, Human Resources

"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 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!"

Graphic with blue heart and text: Thank You
Rich Bova, 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 green jacket stands in front of an abstract sculpture.
Mark Cabaroy, Facilities Services Center

"Thank you for your service!"

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
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!"

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

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

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!"

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 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
Kim D''Eustachio, Events Administration, Operations

"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 man wearing a white polo looks into the camera
Luis Alejo, Facilities

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

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 woman with dark hair and brown eyes 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 green baseball cap holds a shirt that says, "Hope, heal, inspire, Columbia"
Manuel Vasquez, Finance and Administration

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

Graphic with blue heart and text: Thank You
Juan Carlos Rosario, 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 young boy holding a handmade picture of Spiderman stands next to a woman 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."

A man with glasses facing a laptop makes 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 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 man looks into the camera and makes a thumbs-up sign
Fred Small, Facilities Services Center

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

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

"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 swan glides across a lake
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."

Graphic with blue heart and text: Thank You
Aisha Holder, Health

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

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 note is typed on the screen of a laptop, "Thank you essential workers"
Walter Hubbard, Facilities

"Thank you everyone, for all you do!"

A man with glasses smiles at the camera. Behind him is a wall-mounted filing cabinet and desk.
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
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 woman sitting in an office smiles 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."

A man wearing a mask sits at a desk in an office
Don Schlosser, Facilities
Don Schlosser, Operations

"Thank you!"

A woman wearing a puffy vest sits in front of a notebook
Eleonora Andreeva, Manhattanville Development Group

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

A man wearing a 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!"

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

"Thank you!"

A dog rests his head on the back of a couch
Jennifer Kearney, Facilities

"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!"

group of men in room with computers with masks on
Michael Cabanlit, Physical Plant

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

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"

boy, woman and dog sit by fireplace with Thank You sign
Lance Symons, Facilities

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

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!"

public safety men with masks in room with computers
Timothy Malin, Public Safety

"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!"

Graphic with blue heart and text: Thank You
Maribel Marcano-Longi, Student Financial Services

"A special thank you to all the essential employees for your dedication and hard work always, but especially during this difficult time, making personal sacrifices so that others can be safe and providing essential services to the students that remain on campus. Thank you!!! Thank you!!! Thank you!!!"

From CUFO Leadership: Words of Appreciation

Executive leadership of CUFO units offer thanks for their teams' resilience and adaptability in the face of uncertainty.  Read the full statements in Keeping Campus Operational: CUFO Employees on the Front Lines news article.

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 Presient.
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: 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.
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: 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: Real Estate, "I am extremely proud of our Real Estate team for its unfailing commitment to providing exceptional service to our community," Shari Colburn, Executive Vice President
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

From the Columbia Community: A Thank You Message

From across multiple departments at Columbia, staff share their appreciation and admiration for all of the essential workers keeping us fed, safe and healthy during this crisis.