MTSU Mondays: Goldwater scholar digs forensics, Southwest partnership takes off

Courtesy of Middle Tennessee State University
·3 min read

Here's the latest news from Middle Tennessee State University.

Forensics honors student named 2023 Goldwater Scholar

Honors student Elizabeth Kowalczyk was recently named as a 2023 Goldwater Scholar. She is one of only eight students from Tennessee institutions to receive the award this year and the only one from MTSU.

The prestigious Goldwater Scholarship is the premier undergraduate scholarship in mathematics, natural sciences, and engineering in the United States. The scholarships are awarded by the Barry Goldwater Scholarship and Excellence in Education Foundation to encourage outstanding undergraduate students to pursue careers in STEM — science, technology, engineering, and mathematics — research.

Sporting the Middle Tennessee State University Honors College thesis medal, Elizabeth Kowalczyk of Huntsville, Ala., sits outside the Paul W. Martin Sr. Honors Building after successfully defending her thesis. A senior Forensic Science major and Honors student, Kowalczyk was recently named a 2023 Goldwater Scholar by the Barry Goldwater Scholarship and Excellence in Education Foundation to encourage outstanding undergraduate students to pursue careers in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics research.

“Receiving Goldwater validates all the hours I have dedicated to my research endeavors and other academic accomplishments,” said Kowalczyk, a Huntsville, Alabama, native who plans to conduct forensic microbiology research while earning her doctorate.

A Forensic Science major, Kowalczyk was among more than 400 college students selected from more than 5,000 applicants to receive the scholarship this year. The award provides funding for up to $7,500 per year to cover the cost of tuition after other scholarships.

Southwest Airlines partners in Destination 225° pilot recruiting program

The Department of Aerospace joined the Southwest Airlines Destination 225° program recently as one of the newest partners in the airline’s First Officer development and recruitment program.

Destination 225° builds pathways for aspiring pilots from university aviation programs across the country to first officer roles at Southwest Airlines.

With 900 professional flight majors, aerospace students will have access to a pathway that leads to becoming competitively qualified for a commercial pilot career at Southwest. The Destination 225° program includes pilot pathways for those just starting to fly, those working on university degrees and those already building time toward their Airline Transport Pilot certificates.

Chaminda Prelis
Chaminda Prelis

President Sidney A. McPhee said the university’s Aerospace Department "provides one of the highest quality pilot training programs in the nation, if not the world, and partnering with a major airline like Southwest is another testament to its excellent reputation."

Aerospace Chair Chaminda Prelis said the partnership “is an excellent opportunity and the latest in many unique endeavors supporting our students’ career goals. We look forward to a long and prosperous partnership with Southwest Airlines.”

Drug take-back safely disposes nearly 54 pounds of medications

The spring Drug Take Back Day recently collected nearly 54 pounds of medications in the 5 1/2-hour event, pharmacist Tabby Ragland said.

The event was held next to the Campus Pharmacy drive-thru outside the university’s Student Health, Wellness and Recreation Center, in conjunction with both the Murfreesboro and National Prescription Drug Take Back Day.

Karen Sluder, left, hands a full plastic grocery bag of expired vitamins and prescriptions to Lindsey McInturff of Nashville, Tennessee, a fourth-year Lipscomb University College of Pharmacy student, Tuesday, April 18, during the spring Middle Tennessee State University Drug Take-Back Day sponsored by Campus Police and Pharmacy and the MTSU Stormwater Project. MTSU officials collected nearly 54 pounds of expired and unused prescription, over-the-counter, and pet medications near the Campus Pharmacy drive-thru outside the Health, Wellness, and Recreation Center. McInturff is assisting Campus Pharmacy for the entire month of April.

Rick Chapman, director of MTSU Student Health Services, said their division “is privileged to hold this event twice a year in partnership with the MTSU Police Department and MTSU’s Stormwater Program.

“Thanks to all who came out to drop off their expired and unused medications to protect our children and keep them out of our waterways.”

The event is part of the National Prescription Drug Take Back Day, the Drug Enforcement Agency’s effort to remove excess drugs from communities. The event aims to provide a safe, secure, and environmentally responsible means of disposing of prescription drugs while also educating the public about the potential for abuse and trafficking of medications.

MTSU Mondays content is provided by submissions from MTSU News and Media Relations.

This article originally appeared on Murfreesboro Daily News Journal: MTSU Mondays: Goldwater scholar digs forensics, Southwest partnership