Dear Colleagues,

I hope you are all doing great as we begin the holidays.

I am collecting contributions to give the Biology Staff an appreciation gift this holiday season. The Biological Sciences Department staff and advisors do a lot for us, our students, and our trainees all year. They are key to making our department a great place to work, and it is important to highlight the fact that their effort is appreciated.

Over the past two years, this initiative has been a big success! We raised $1,370 in 2024 and $1,950 in 2025, which enabled us to give each staff member almost $200 each. I ask that you please join me in contributing to a gift that will be distributed evenly to each of the biology office staff/advisors. Please feel free to give whatever amount you are comfortable with. I expect not everyone will be able to contribute. However, if you can, I hope that you will join me in showing appreciation.

Please plan to contribute by Monday, December 8th, 2025, at which time the donation site will be closed. I will ask graduate students to distribute the gifts to each staff member on Wednesday, December 10th, at the departmental holiday party.

A big thanks to everyone for supporting our wonderful staff!

Lastly, if you have any questions, I am always happy to discuss.