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SIPA Remembers Enzo Rodriguez, Longtime Employee
Executive Vice President Joe Ienuso recently shared the sad news that longtime employee Enzo Rodriguez died on June 3.
Rodriguez, who worked in the International Affairs Building as a custodian for most of his career, joined Facilities in 1977 and went on to provide nearly 35 years of valuable and dedicated service to Columbia University and SIPA. He also rose to become the president of TWU Local 241 and took special pride in the contract he helped negotiate in 2008.
As Ienuso wrote, “Enzo loved his family — his wife, Maria; daughter, Diana; and son, Enzo, Jr., were a great source of pride. Enzo also loved Columbia, especially his Columbia University Facilities family and University colleagues.”
A wake was held on June 5 and a funeral Mass and burial on June 6. The entire SIPA community offers condolences to Rodriguez’s family.
The January 2011 issue of Communiqué featured a profile of Enzo Rodriguez by Michelle Chahine MPA ’12. A few colleagues share their remembrances below; to add your thoughts, write to Marcus Tonti, who will be glad to post them.
“Enzo’s smiling face often was one of the first I would see when I came into SIPA each work day. He was extremely committed to his job and the University. It always was a great source of comfort to see him, making me feel all was well in our SIPA world.”
— Meg Heenehan, Career Services
“An institution like SIPA is built with hard work, great compassion and determined leadership. Enzo embodied all of those qualities. He cared about the students, the faculty and the staff that looked to him for guidance and direction. He was a wonderful combination of brainpower, willpower, and joy. Early mornings in SIPA will never be the same without his smile and his wonderful laugh echoing through the lobby.”
— Dr. Steven Cohen, SIPA Professor of Practice