For release: Feb. 6, 2013
News and Media Relations contact: Randy Weiler, 615-898-5616 or Randy.Weiler@mtsu.edu
MURFREESBORO —
Dr. Judith Iriarte-Gross’ nearly 18 years of being a passionate advocate
for promoting four areas of science as career possibilities for girls and young
women has led to special recognition from MTSU President Sidney A. McPhee.
McPhee presented Iriarte-Gross with the
President’s Silver Column Award Feb. 4 in a small ceremony inside her office in
Wiser-Patten Science Hall. She becomes the fifth recipient of the honor since
he implemented the award in 2004.
“This validates the hard work all of us have
been doing,” Iriarte-Gross said, discussing what the award means to her and
mentioning the many volunteers who assist every year with events that girls can
attend or workshops that adults participate in that can lead girls to choose a
science, technology, engineering or mathematics — or STEM — career to pursue.
“We have to have girls in STEM education today
for the STEM work force of tomorrow,” Iriarte-Gross added. “Girls want to see
role models who look like them, are from the same town and are in STEM. They
see these role models being successful and happy in their STEM careers.”
McPhee praised Iriarte-Gross, who is an MTSU
chemistry professor, director of the MTSU Women in STEM Center and director of
the annual Expanding Your Horizons conferences and Girls Raised in Tennessee
Science (GRITS) workshops that bring STEM awareness to girls.
“It is designed
to recognize employees who go above and beyond the call of duty, extraordinary
individuals who really show their commitment to the university,” McPhee said in
making the presentation of the silver pin with MTSU blue inlays, representing
the shape of the Kirksey Old Main building columns.
He said
Iriarte-Gross does this through her “caring for students and doing those things
that really reach beyond what the expectations are. You certainly exhibit every
characteristic associated with being an outstanding faculty member, an
outstanding person.”
McPhee said he
has watched Iriarte-Gross’ commitment through the years, “not only the GRITS
program, but the attention you’ve paid to your students, the quality teaching …
and you don’t expect anything in return for it, you don’t expect any kind of
recognition.”
“You’ve changed
a lot of lives,” he said to her, adding that she serves as a
“role model for
faculty when it comes to caring for, teaching, retention, graduation — you
open up the dictionary, and your picture is there under those categories.”
"Judith
has championed the cause of making science more interesting and vital to young
girls and, in doing so, has changed lives for the better across the
nation," said MTSU Provost Brad Bartel. "She is an inspiration to her
peers and students and her scholarship and service has bolstered our
university."
First-year College of Basic and Applied
Sciences Dean Bud Fischer said Iriarte-Gross “is a tireless worker with a real
passion for the cause of increasing women in the STEM disciplines. Through her
numerous activities she leads or is involved with, she has been able to touch
the lives of a large number of young girls and women and have fueled their love
of science.”
Previous recipients include:
• Sherian Huddleston, former associate vice
provost for enrollment services and now retired;
• Larry Sizemore, supervisor of ground
services;
• Suma Clark, former director of publications
and graphics (now Creative and Visual Services) who retired, but serves as a
web management team project coordinator in a part-time capacity for the
university; and
• the late Dr. Charles Wolfe, who was a
distinguished folklorist, author and English professor.
“Wow, I’m honored to be in the company of such
notable past recipients,” Iriarte-Gross said.
Iriarte-Gross is coordinating this week’s
GRITS Collaborative Project Annual Conference. It runs today through Friday,
Feb. 8, in the Tom H. Jackson Building.
###
Photo caption
President’s Silver
Column Award.jpg
Dr. Judith Iriarte-Gross,
left, listens as MTSU President Sidney A. McPhee explains the significance of
the President’s Silver Column Award he presented to her Feb. 4 in her
Wiser-Patten Science Hall office. College of Basic and Applied Sciences Dean
Bud Fischer, second from right, and chemistry department chair Dr. Greg Van
Patten share the moment. (MTSU photos by Andy Heidt)
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community devoted to learning, growth and service. We hold these values dear,
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