151 ALUMNI, VOLUNTEERS HELP KEEP EYH TRADITION ALIVE

Release date: Oct. 19, 2007


News & Public Affairs contact: Randy Weiler, 615-898-2919
EYH Contacts: Dr. Judith Iriarte-Gross, director, 615-904-8253
Dr. Rebecca Zijlstra, co-director, 615-898-5776


ALUMNI, VOLUNTEERS HELP KEEP EYH TRADITION ALIVE
Oct. 27 Math/Science Event at MTSU Brings 350 Girls to Campus

(MURFREESBORO) — MTSU seniors Sharese Richardson and Mallory Faulkner and freshmen Ashley Martin and Jennifer Ilsley volunteer their time for Expanding Your Horizons in Math and Science because they know middle- and high-school girls potentially can make their mark and have careers in these fields.
“It lets girls know they are capable of doing things in math and science,” said Richardson, an interdisciplinary studies major that plans to teach after graduating in May 2008.
Faulkner, a chemistry major from Jackson, Tenn., said helping with EYH “gives me the opportunity to share my science background with younger students.”
The 11th annual EYH will be held from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 27, across the MTSU campus. About 300 middle school and 50 high-school girls will participate, said event director, Dr. Judith Iriarte-Gross, professor in the chemistry department. They will attend workshops in science, technology, engineering and math.
Girls will be from Rutherford, Williamson, Wilson, Putnam, Davidson, Warren, Sumner, Maury, Cheatham, and Coffee counties and other areas, said Dr. Rebecca Zijlstra, co-director and math professor.
Martin and Ilsley have been EYH participants as middle-school students. They enjoy keeping the math and science doors open for the next generation of young women.
“There’s so much I learned and gained from my experiences,” Martin, who is a graduate of Blackman High School, said. “… I gained so much education-wise, but also the confidence to do whatever I put my mind to. I attended workshops that ranged from aerospace to Web design to chemistry and nutrition.
“I want to be an example to these young girls, like the presenters and group leaders were to me. I want to pass on the wisdom that these girls can do anything. When I heard this comment from my group leader in my seventh grade experience, I took it to heart and excelled in math, history and science in high school.”
Ilsley, a 2007 Oakland High graduate, became a volunteer for the organization while in middle school. Her father is Dr. William “Bill” Ilsley, who is a chemistry department professor.
Dr. Kaylene Gebert, executive vice president and provost, will deliver the keynote address.
Iriarte-Gross said outstanding faculty and off-campus professionals would lead the workshops.
Co-sponsors of the event include MTSU, the College of Basic and Applied Sciences, Murfreesboro branch of the American Association of University Women and Girl Scout Council of Cumberland Valley.
For MTSU news and information, go to mtsunews.com.
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Media welcomed.