So many of our co-workers are incredibly efficient, and a pleasure to work with. So much so, that sometimes it’s easy to not recognize those that go beyond the regular great service they provide. But I have had the pleasure of working recently with one who really went above their necessary functions to help out.
Recently, one of my PIs had a family emergency. It was completely unexpected, and he had to leave immediately to tend to his family’s situation, in another country. We were right in the middle of a new government award being set up. In his absence the RAS and Fabrication accounts were set up, so that the large amount of equipment purchasing required for this time-sensitive project would be able to progress on the timeline it had.
Once the RAS was set up, and the Fabrication account ready, we were ready to begin purchasing. There were many orders that needed to be handled quickly, and the project period had already started, and there was a bit of concern if it was all going to be done in time. Jeannie Lin, in SSoE Purchasing, went way beyond helpful. I explained the situation, and she immediately put in place a plan so there would be no delays or holdups, even though the PI was out of the country. I forwarded emails to her showing that the professor instructed myself and his staff to carry on and get the equipment purchased. Jeannie sent out emails to her team to ensure there weren’t any delays, as well as emails to the PI’s staff, to assist them in the process, and was so incredibly helpful.
Everyone in Purchasing is truly fantastic to work with, but I felt special mention was needed here, as she really went above and beyond to ensure there were no hiccups in the process due to the PI’s family emergency.