This week some of the Library, Teaching, and Learning staff took some time out to pause and consider what we are thankful for:

George Libbey, Associate Dean for Public Services: I am grateful for colleagues who genuinely care about the Detroit Mercy community.

Susan Trudeau, Director, Student Success Center: I am grateful to work with the kind, compassionate, dedicated professionals and student staff in the SSC. They change lives every day, including mine.

Felicia Hartinger, Associate Director, Student Success Center: I am thankful for Bentley, our SSC pet therapy dog! And thank you to Sr. Sarah for training him and bringing him to work with her everyday. He brings so much joy and comfort not to only our students, but to all of us who work here everyday as well.

Sr. Sarah Ruth Foster, Professional Mentor:
gratitude haiku

eyes greet passersby 

with hearts full of gratitude 

must be Thanksgiving

Darcie Selegean, Curriculum Coordinator, Student Success Center: I am grateful to be surrounded by up-beat motivated people each time I come to work.

Whitney S. Thomas, Success Coach, TRiO Student Support Services: I am grateful for the opportunity to cross paths with every one of my students while serving as a Success Coach for TRIO Student Support Services. My students help solidify my life's purpose everyday I step on to campus. I am grateful for all the interactions and experiences I've had with them thus far. I am proud of all of my students and wish nothing but the best for them. I thank them for teaching me.

Allen Seales, Success Coach, TRiO Student Support Services: I am thankful for the supportive Library staff and all of our brilliant and enthusiastic students!

Pamela Todd, Direcor, TRiO Upward Bound: I am thankful for the beautiful souls that I am blessed to work with in the Library. I am also thankful for working with my TRiO Upward Bound students and their continued growth and development.

Crystal Reedus, TRiO Upward Bound Coordinator: I am thankful for having a job to get up to go to every morning.  I am also thankful for having such an awesome Director(Boss)-Pamela Todd.

Amy Keyzer, Assistant to the Dean: I am grateful for the opportunity to participate in collaborative Library events that embrace both our university and global communities, such as the Writers' Series (English Dept.), Underground Railroad Film Festival (Black Abolitionist Archive), All Saints' Day procession (University Concert Band), and support of the Art Installation for the Thousands of Separated Immigrant Children (University Ministry). And that's just in November!

Megan Novell, Head of Circulation and Adjunct English Faculty: I am grateful in so many ways for our student assistants. They do so much to keep us running, and they are wonderful colleagues: fun, funny, and smart, and great looking to boot. I’m so glad to know them and to follow their progress in school and work and life. 

Nicole Shorter, Library Assistant: I am thankful for my coworkers that make work life thought-provoking and sometimes fun and culture of our Work Family that is learning to embody compassion and tolerance. I am thankful for our wonderful student assistants that help us look great every day, while they study, work and find their way as young adults.

Kris McLonis, Head of Technical Services: I am thankful for the collaborative spirit that we have here in the library.  Whether it's troubleshooting a cataloging issue or helping with the Christmas party or some other function in our building, each of us has a "can do" attitude. I am thankful for the prevailing position in our workplace that all people regardless of gender identity, sexual orientation, religious belief (or lack thereof), and country of origin/citizenship status are welcome here. I am thankful that we keep in mind what we know each of us is going through (for example: family deaths or challenges; health issues) and try to have empathy for each other.

Joshua Duffy, Library Tech/Acquisitions: I am grateful to work with people who I not only enjoy working with, but also simply spending the days.

Sandra Wilson, Head of Reference: I am grateful that there is so much to be grateful for that I can't narrow it down.

Julia Eisenstein, Librarian: I'm grateful for colleagues who work as a team to accomplish our common goal of service to others. And I am grateful for Rebecca Tull who adds an exciting dimension to the Reference Staff.

Cindy Gillham, Librarian: I'm grateful for my colleagues.

Rebecca Tull, Librarian:  I am thankful for the opportunity to be back in Michigan, working at the McNichols Campus Library. I've had the chance to meet a number of interesting people, and really appreciate the support I have received from my colleagues here.

Pat Higo, Librarian: I'm thankful that I can donate to worthy causes so other people will not have to worry about where their next meal will come from.

Jennifer Bowen, Librarian: I'm thankful for my Dental Library colleagues who have become my friends.  They are the Fun in a functional workplace!

Jill Turner, Librarian: I am thankful for my dental library colleagues. We always operate as a team and they are a great group. It's a great place to work because of them.