Every morning, Duke Biology staff, faculty and students receive a pick-me-up from Randy Smith.
Smith, departmental manager for Biology, has been sending a daily email to everyone in the department that includes updates on labs and on mask and glove donations and tips for working from home.
“My role has become a cross between a cheerleader and an air traffic controller,” Smith said. “Biology is pretty tight community. It’s important to me that we maintain that while we're all separated."
Smith began preparing the department for remote work in early March. He assisted Biology’s 40-something labs in creating contingency plans and lists of materials that would need to be maintained. He asked employees to test working from home to ensure no IT issues.
Smith began sending his daily email out on March 16. The messages always include uplifting moments, like a gooey grilled cheese recipe, compliments to Smith’s colleagues and reminders for everyone to take a break.
“His morning notes – sent every day of the week, including Saturdays and Sundays – are wise and funny and have provided a daily reminder that we are all in this together, and that we will emerge even stronger than before,” said Anne Yoder, the Braxton Craven Distinguished Professor of Evolutionary Biology. “It is the first email that I read every day and never fails to put a smile on my face.”
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Department of Biology