Date Change: Say Goodbye as Mike Witherell Takes a Last Official Walk Through the Lab

After nearly a decade of service, Lab Director Mike Witherell is leaving his position as Lab Director at the end of June, and the Lab community is invited to help send him off. On Monday, June 22, and Thursday, June 25, Mike will take his final official walks around the Lab as Director, stopping at several locations across the site. The walkthrough will be filmed to capture the moment, and the resulting video will run in a special Elements edition on June 30.

If you’re on site, come out and greet Mike, say hello, or wish him well. Here’s where he’ll be:

Monday, June 22

• Building 90: Blacktop at front entrance, approximately 11-11:30 a.m.
• Building 91: Food trucks under overhang, approximately 11:40 a.m. – 12:15 p.m.
• Building 50: Front entrance steps, approximately 12:20 – 1 p.m.

Thursday, June 25

• Building 67/The Molecular Foundry: Patio, approximately 1:30-2 p.m.
• Power station: Entrance along Glaser Road, approximately 2:15 – 2:45 p.m.
• ALS: Patio, approximately 3-3:30 p.m.

Times are approximate and may shift slightly to account for travel between locations.

This final walk is a chance for the Lab community to come together, share a memory, and thank Mike for his years of dedication. However, this won’t be the last you’ll see of him.  He’s leaving his role as Lab Director on June 30, but will serve as a senior advisor to the incoming Lab Director, Kathy Yelick, until he retires on August 31. Look for details about a symposium and retirement celebration in August to mark Mike’s tenure.