Marcotte receives Outstanding Staff Award

Bob Marcotte, communications project manager for the Hajim School, meets with members of the National Society of Black Engineers chapter to write a story about a national conference they attended. (Photo by Brandon Vick/University of Rochester)

'Getting the word out'

“We want to thank Bob for all his help with our 100th year celebration. He was very helpful with preparing our department’s website with photos and the write up of our high points over the past 100 years. Bob also brainstormed with us on posters now on display in Gavett Hall. They look great!!! . . . A Big Thank You from the Chemical Engineering Staff!!”

“Bob is always ready to support getting the word out about HSEAS students abroad. He does this through his write ups about HSEAS study abroad returnees, posting information about study abroad in the Dean's Note and updating the Hajim study abroad website. . . . His efforts help to get the word out that HSEAS students can, should and do study abroad.”

These Bravo chip nominations reflect some of the work that Bob Marcotte, recipient of the 2016 Edmund A. Hajim Outstanding Staff Award, has done at both the department and school level to spread the word about Hajim School programs and accomplishments to a wide audience.

Marcotte, a former reporter, columnist and layout editor at the Rochester Democrat and Chronicle, joined the University in 2012, and became the Communications Project Manager for the Hajim School that fall.

He helps prepare the Dean’s Weekly Memo, writes the spring and fall Full Spectrum newsletters, and writes stories for the Hajim School and various department websites (especially Mechanical Engineering and Chemical Engineering). He also helps prepare the Dean’s year-end State of the School message, and spring and fall presentations for the Dean’s Advisory Committee, the Visiting Committee, and Hajim faculty and staff.

He credits Dean Rob Clark with giving him wide latitude. “I cannot thank Dean Clark enough for allowing me to go ahead and do what I do best, on my own initiative, without having to go through multiple hoops,” Marcotte said.

“It has been a very rewarding experience.”

The best part of his job? Talking to faculty about exciting research and, especially, to Hajim students about their accomplishments.

“I am invariably impressed by the Hajim students I’ve talked to,” Marcotte said. “They are motivated and are often engaged in multiple extra curricular activities. They give me fresh hope for the future!”