Professional Women of Kent State honor Cartwright

President Carol Cartwright was given the “Distinguished Woman Award” from the Professional Women of Kent State University yesterday. The luncheon was fashioned after an English Tea Party. ALLIEY BENDER | DAILY KENT STATER

Credit: Carl Schierhorn

Special leaders know they need to work with passion, said Conni Dubick, associate director of student financial aid. President Carol Cartwright is one of those leaders, she said.

“A theme in the Professional Women of KSU for the past few years has been to think of leadership with soul,” she said.

The Professional Women of Kent State University honored Cartwright with its “Distinguished Woman Award” at its annual spring luncheon yesterday. This was the ninth year of the award, which is given to a woman who has made significant contributions to the university, said Karen Clement, chair of the selection committee.

The group also renamed their recently endowed scholarship for non-traditional women students the Professional Women of Kent State University Carol A. Cartwright scholarship, co-president Rachel Anderson said.

Previously, the organization raised money each year and immediately gave it out as a scholarship. Now, the scholarship can be continuously provided for, no matter what the circumstances for a particular year.

“Dr. Cartwright has left a legacy of 15 years as a woman leader,” Anderson said.

The Professional Women of Kent State is an organization to support all women on campus, both professionally and personally, Anderson said. Anderson and Carissa Burns are this year’s co-presidents.

“What makes this recognition very special is not the award, but the group that is presenting it,” Cartwright said.

Former presidents of the organization spoke about Cartwright’s impact on the university and the group, mentioning how involved she always tried to be.

Cartwright said it is important to love one’s job and feel that it matters.

“I leave you with this wish,” she said. “At the end of the day, each of you feels that way about your work.”

Contact administration reporter Rachel Abbey at [email protected].