[170] MTSU's Zlotky to Receive Special State Aviation Award

Today’s date: Nov. 11, 2011

News and Media Relations contact: Randy Weiler, 615-898-5616 or Randy.Weiler@mtsu.edu
Aerospace contact: Gail Zlotky, 615-898-2290, 615-898=5302 (ATC lab),
615-481-2909 (cell) or Gail.Zlotky@mtsu.edu

MTSU’s Zlotky to receive special state aviation award


MURFREESBORO — Five years of tireless effort to bring a world-class air traffic control laboratory to MTSU have earned Gail Zlotky and the University statewide recognition.

Saturday night in Sevierville, Zlotky will receive the Tennessee Aviation Person of the Year Award. Zlotky conceived the ATC lab idea, followed through with the plan and withstood budget hurdles to see it come to fruition with its opening in March.

About 30 MTSU faculty and students will support Zlotky by attending the Tennessee Aviation Hall of Fame Gala, which will be held at the Tennessee Museum of Aviation.

“I didn’t do this alone,” a humble Zlotky says of the honor. “This ought to be an MTSU award, not a ‘me’ award.” She added that all the people involved, from those at the University to the Tennessee Board of Regents, “showed they believe in me and this (award) is pretty overwhelming.”

“We in the Department of Aerospace are very proud of Gail’s award,” said Dr. Wayne Dornan, department chair, who said he was able to secure a $3.5 million state bond for the project. “Her tireless work to establish the state-of-the-art air traffic control facility will benefit not only MTSU students, but also enhance safety for air traffic controllers in the United States.”

Bob Minter, founder of the Tennessee Aviation Hall of Fame and co-founder of the Tennessee Aviation Association, nominated Zlotky, an MTSU alumna (’93, ’94), who was shocked to learn about the honor.

“It took a while to wrap my head around it,” she said. “I just wanted a great lab. “A lot of people in Washington, D.C., are paying attention. I think it’s a good thing.”

Zlotky’s main job responsibility is to “teach students to be professionals as well as air traffic controllers. Part of the job is getting to know the students well enough to give them the MTSU recommendations. They are moving it to a very high-profile, high-security and high-stress job. With all of this in mind, students have to prove themselves on many levels.”

Fellow faculty member Joe Hawkins (’99) was inducted into the Tennessee Aviation Hall of Fame in 2008.

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Note: A high-resolution jpeg photo of Gail Zlotky will be available. To request, call Randy Weiler in News and Media Relations at 615-898-5616 or email Randy.Weiler@mtsu.edu.

The Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching has recognized MTSU for its outstanding curricular engagement, community outreach and partnerships. As MTSU celebrates its 100th anniversary, Pride, Tradition and Excellence are the cornerstones of "Tennessee’s Best"!

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