Plane named after Cartwright

Holly Mueller

Isaac Nettey, College of Technology academic program director, (left) and assistant professor Edward Overchuk (right) present President Carol Cartwright with a photo of a plane recently named in her honor at the College of Technology Vision 21 awards banq

Credit: Carl Schierhorn

Carol Cartwright spends a lot of time traveling, but now she’ll fly — or at least her name will fly — all over the country.

The School of Technology has painted Cartwright’s name on its newest Piper Seminole twin-engine trainer plane, said Isaac Richmond Nettey, senior academic program director of aeronautics.

Cartwright was presented a framed photo of the plane at the school’s Vision 21 awards banquet held Saturday night in the Student Center’s second floor dining room.

“Everywhere the dedicated plane flies over the country, Carol will fly,” said Raj Chowdhury, dean of the School of Technology.

Cartwright said she was honored to receive the award, and she will continue her support for the aeronautics program.

“Although my leadership role is ending, I ensure you my ‘cheerleading role’ will continue,” she said.

Members of the audience also expressed their gratitude for Cartwright’s leadership.

“Everyone knows about (Kent State) across the country because of her,” said Charlene Reed, senior assistant to Cartwright.

Cartwright was one of 23 people recognized at the banquet. Twenty-one technology alumni received the Distinguished School of Technology Alumni Award for extreme success in their professions. The Clinton Van Deusen Award was given to Shirley J. Barton, a non-technology graduate who has contributed greatly to the school and its programs.

Michael Dragomier, a Distinguished School of Technology Alumni recipient and assistant professor in the School of Technology, described his experience in the school with an analogy.

“If a hammer is the only tool in the tool box, it’s hard to solve problems without thinking everything’s a nail. Kent’s technology program has supplied a lot more tools for my tool box,” Dragomier said.

BethAnne Shaup, a 2001 graduate, also received an award. She said she was grateful for the skills she learned while in the program.

The program ended with Chowdhury addressing everyone as one big technology family, and he humorously thanked the tall, blonde Mistress of Ceremony, alumna Tina Knauss.

“Technology graduates are supposed to be boring and unattractive — but I mean, look at her!” Chowdhury added.

Contact School of Technology reporter Holly Mueller at [email protected].