Middlebury Announces 2024 Virtue Award Winners
President Laurie L. Patton announced on December 19 the recipients of the 2024 Virtue Family Exceptional Service Awards, in recognition of the varied contributions of faculty and staff in supporting students throughout Middlebury.
This year, four recipients from Middlebury College were selected for their work in supporting and connecting with students in the classroom, science lab, on the athletic field, and other spaces.
The 2024 Virtue Family Exceptional Service Award recipients are as follows:
- Dima Ayoub, Associate Professor and Department Chair of Arabic
- Martin Beatty, Head Men’s and Women’s Track and Field Coach
- Jodi Litchfield, ADA Coordinator
- Cathy Ekstrom, Administrative Program Coordinator
“This year’s recipients have dedicated their careers to enhancing the lives of students and building meaningful connections across the entire campus community,” said President Laurie L. Patton. “Their efforts have made a difference in the experiences of Middelbury alumni.”
Established in 2017 by Ted ’82 and Dani Shaw Virtue ’82, P’10, ’15, the award recognizes individuals who have gone beyond their normal professional responsibilities to support and connect with students and build a more engaged and inclusive Middlebury. Each year, faculty, staff, and students of the College, Institute, Language Schools, Schools Abroad, Bread Loaf School of English, and the Bread Loaf Writers’ Conferences are encouraged to submit nominations for this award.
This year’s recipients are:
Dima Ayoub, associate professor and department chair of Arabic, who previously served as the C.V. Starr Junior Faculty Fellow in International Studies and director of the Middle East studies program. Student nominators credit her with having a profound impact on their lives both in and out of the classroom. “Professor Ayoub embodies what it means to transcend professional responsibilities—to guide, nurture, and inspire,” said one student who came to Middlebury after being evacuated from Kabul, Afghanistan—an experience she described as emotionally overwhelming. “My first meaningful connection was with Professor Ayoub, a sentiment shared by all Afghan students here. Her kindness, willingness to listen, and unwavering support have left an indelible mark on my life.” Students also expressed appreciation for Ayoub’s willingness to involve them in her research on the translation of Arabic paratexts such as introductions, prefaces, and glossaries to better understand the westward movement and influence of Arabic literature. She also connects student-focused research projects to the digital humanities, comparative literature, gender studies, Arab-Jewish literature and culture, and other areas of research. “She has made an exceptional difference in my life and my peers who came from a country of war,” said another student. “She has always been there for me and my peers in times of need.”
Martin Beatty ’84 has served as head coach of the men’s and women’s track and field teams and as a faculty member in physical education since 1988. During his tenure, Middlebury has won a combined seven NESCAC championships, placed among the top 10 at the NCAA Championships six times, and produced seven individual national champions. Beatty has been named MidEast Region Women’s Head Coach of the Year (2022, 2023); New England Regional Women’s Coach of the Year (1998, 2000); and NESCAC Men’s Coach of the Year (2005, 2014). While Beatty’s ability to produce winning teams has been prolific, colleagues point to his support and development of student-athletes as his greatest attribute. “Martin typically has around 100 athletes on his team and is able to create meaningful relationships and an overwhelmingly positive experience for all of them,” said a co-worker. “He makes each individual feel valued.” Beatty’s commitment to Middlebury extends beyond athletics having served on Faculty Council, the Physical Education and Athletics Committee on Reappointment, the Athletic Department’s DEI committee, and on the current Presidential Search Committee. “Martin is truly committed to the overall mission of Middlebury. He represents what is best in a leader who serves others.”
Jodi Litchfield has worked at Middlebury College for almost 35 years, including the last 25 as ADA Coordinator in the Disability Resource Center. She has spent her career helping students with disabilities identify appropriate accommodations, supporting their participation in programs, and serving as a resource for faculty and staff who work with students with disabilities. “To say Jodi cares about our students is an understatement,” said one nominator. “Her dedication to Middlebury students is frankly unmatched in its depth, breadth, and longevity.” Litchfield also meets with prospective families of students with disabilities, provides training, and presents at national conferences on topics related to disability in higher education. One nominator called Litchfield “the foundation of the Disability Resource Center,” serving students across programs to “ensure access to the exceptional educational experiences Middlebury has to offer.” Litchfield also ensures that students have textbooks printed in Braille and access to new and emerging assistive technologies. “Thousands of students’ lives have been touched by Jodi’s care,” said a colleague. “She has enhanced their experience at Middlebury through individual and systemic actions that have made a difference. She truly cares about the students she serves and has also worked to establish a sense of community around disability issues.”
Cathy Ekstrom, administrative program coordinator, is responsible for the daily operations of McCardell Bicentennial Hall—home to six science-based academic departments and three programs. Ekstrom provides technical support services for faculty, students, and staff and manages research labs, classrooms, and the vivarium. “Cathy Ekstrom has served as a nexus for student, faculty, and staff needs facilitating many happenings in an atypical campus building full of specialized research laboratories and regulations, a plethora of teaching spaces, and several departments,” one nominator said. Ekstrom is responsible for planning safety trainings; coordinating aspects of the Spring Symposium and Middlebury Language Schools; and managing temperature control issues in the research facility. She also led the conversion of the lighting system to a more sustainable LED system. “She (provides a) hub for all departments that operate in the building, coordinating and communicating across programs and departments to ensure that the academic programming runs smoothly,” said one nominator, calling Ekstrom “the mastermind behind the smooth daily operations experienced by students at Bi-Hall.”