Sullivan presented Joseph L. Barrett Award

Rory Michelle Sullivan ’09 of Quincy House was presented the Joseph L. Barrett Award at a special ceremony May 6. The Bureau of Study Counsel (BSC), which is a resource center for academic and personal development serving Harvard College, the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, Harvard Kennedy School, and the Graduate School of Education, administers the Barrett award in memory of Joseph L. Barrett ’73, to recognize and honor exceptional students who generously give their time and support to assist their peers in developing more meaningful academic and University experiences.

The award citation notes that Sullivan embodies the ideals of the Joseph L. Barrett Award by leading by example and encouraging her peers to build community and help one another. Sullivan served as the BSC Poster-Person, advised the BSC about other ways to publicize its workshops and events, and dedicated herself to spreading the word about the BSC’s services. She was commended for her cheerful and enthusiastic attitude, as well as her work as the BSC reading course assistant and her oversight of the BSC’s Cranium Corner Library.

Sullivan also served as a peer counselor for Room 13, and the award citation remarks on her ability to listen empathically and respond compassionately. As a counselor, she was an affectionate supporter of her fellow peer counselors and contributed to the BSC’s “Reflections on Rejections” project with a personal story, looking to help other students who are going through a difficult time. In presenting her with the Barrett Award, the BSC thanked her for her extraordinary service.