St. Lawrence Staff Member Earns Regional Award
St. Lawrence Executive Director of Campus Services and Outreach René Thatcher was named the inaugural recipient of the Mark Berman Community Outreach Award, recognizing her commitment to uniting people in the field of higher education.
The award, named in honor of an active and enthusiastic member of the North East Regional Computing Program, was presented to Thatcher during the organization’s annual conference held in Providence, Rhode Island.
“I am honored to be awarded the first Mark Berman Community Outreach Award. I was fortunate to have known Mark and I have always admired his strong leadership style," said Thatcher, who in her many roles and years of service to St. Lawrence has harnessed the power of technology to support efficient and effective scholarship, teaching, and learning while fostering an inclusive and engaging work environment.
According to NERCOMP, the selection committee felt René “best embodied the heart of the scholarship” noting that her “personal, individual interactions with people are why she is so impactful to the higher education [information technology] community.”
“I've known René for over 20 years,” said Mary E. Parlett-Sweeney of Siena College, who nominated Thatcher for the award. “Like Mark, René's personal and individual interactions with people are why she is so impactful to the higher education IT community. Whether it's colleagues or students, she really wants people to grow and be their best.”
While many know Thatcher by her infectious joy and prompt warnings of caution about malicious behavior online, she hopes the award serves as a reminder for others to pause and reflect on the strength of the Laurentian community.
“Mark put people at ease with his open and inclusive personality,” Thatcher said. “We can all learn from him and find time to enjoy ourselves and those around us.”
