Ford Land’s Inch, Chamber’s Rennick Head Aug. 12
Forum to Raise Girls’ Math, Science Awareness

MURFREESBORO, TN - More than 40 people from across Tennessee wanting to help girls have a greater interest in math and science will be attending the GRITS Collaborative Project 2010 Forum on Wednesday, Aug. 12, from noon until 3 p.m. in the James Union Building’s Tennessee Room.

People from Memphis to Johnson City have registered to attend, said Dr. Judith Iriarte-Gross, chemistry professor and WISTEM Center director at MTSU. WISTEM is an acronym for women in science, technology, engineering and math. GRITS is an acronym for Girls Raised in Tennessee Science.

Lee Rennick, executive director of business education partnership with the Rutherford County Chamber of Commerce, will provide the keynote address, “Standing on the Shoulders of Giants.”

Guest speaker Donna M. Inch, appointed chairwoman and CEO of Ford Land in January, will discuss the importance of attracting and retaining women in the engineering and science pipeline. That morning, Inch will speak at the Southern Automotive Women’s Forum in Nashville.

Inch, who joined Ford in 1978 as an industrial-relations analyst, has global responsibility for real estate, construction and facility services for Ford Motor Company.

Other presentations by GRITS Collaborative members will include:

• “Networking for All” by Dr. Kaylene Gebert, a professor in the Department of Speech and Theatre and the former MTSU executive vice president and provost;

• “Hands-on STEM for Your Classroom or EYH (Expanding Your Horizons)” by Mary Thomas, senior general contractor for Schneider Electric and member of the GRITS Collaborative Project Champions Board;

• “GRITS Program Directory and Mini-Grants” by Mary Moore, principal technologist for Eastman Chemical Co. in Kingsport and a member of the GRITS Collaborative Project Leadership Team; and

• “Getting WISE about WISTEM” by Dr. Kathy Mathis, a professor of engineering technology at MTSU.

The cost to attend is $10. Students may attend free.

Business meeting agenda items also will include forums for West and East Tennessee, mini-grants, upcoming events and more.

The GRITS Collaborative Project brings together organizations and individuals who are committed to informing and motivating girls to pursue careers in science, technology, engineering and mathematics to encourage collaboration and improve interprogram communication.

For more information, contact Iriarte-Gross 615-904-8253 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .