During his senior year at the University of Tennessee, John Maltry (BS\/EngSc \u201975, MS\/EngSc \u201977) received the Weissberg Award that impacted his future. Fifty years later, he\u2019s paying it forward with the establishment of the Maltry Outstanding Senior Award in Biomedical Engineering.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Weissberg Award was presented annually to a senior in engineering science who emulated independent and interdisciplinary academic pursuits. Maltry was the first recipient of the award that honored Harold Weissberg, an admired professor in the Department of Engineering Science and Mechanics, which is now the Department of Mechanical, Aerospace, and Biomedical Engineering.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThis award exemplified my passion for research and my desire to venture beyond the classroom, highlighting my independent thinking,\u201d said Maltry. \u201cI was deeply honored to be selected by the faculty at that time. This recognition greatly enhanced my self-confidence and motivated me to explore various paths throughout my career.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
After graduating with his master\u2019s degree from UT, Maltry began his career at American Hospital Supply, later acquired by Baxter Healthcare, as a manufacturing engineering. He was subsequently promoted to senior process engineer, manager of technology transfer, director of technical operations, director of quality control, VP of quality and regulatory assurance, and ultimately division vice president of special projects. During his tenure, he earned an MBA from Barry University and later served as an adjunct professor in Barry\u2019s graduate school of business. He retired early from Baxter to establish his own company and is now president of Carolina Capital Management Company, a financial investment firm operating in the U.S. and Central America.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Maltry never forgot the difference receiving the Weissberg Award made in his life and decided earlier this year that it was time to give back by establishing the Maltry Outstanding Senior Award in Biomedical Engineering. Each spring for five years, the award will recognize one or more seniors majoring in biomedical engineering who are exceptional students and have demonstrated excellence in their scientific endeavors. The award will include a monetary gift, and the recipient(s) will be chosen by the BME faculty.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI believe this award will help deserving seniors continue their education or alleviate their undergraduate debt,\u201d said Maltry. \u201cIts purpose is to empower them to progress while fostering appreciation for the professors who deemed them deserving of this honor.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The inaugural recipients of the award, Shane Miller and Samantha Sedillo, were recognized during MABE\u2019s annual awards banquet in April. They were chosen for the award mainly because of their undergraduate research work and both expressed interest in pursuing a PhD.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cContributing to the education of these students is akin to planting a seed in their academic journey,\u201d said Maltry. \u201cIt has been a privilege to contribute, albeit in a minor way, to their promising careers. Their dedication to biomedical engineering is commendable.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
At age 73, Maltry still has the determination and drive he had as a student working late nights in Perkins Hall and Estabrook Hall. In 2023, he received the Abbott Six Star Medal for completing all six major marathons in the world. Last year, he accomplished the Global Challenge for completing half marathons, which included some mountain climbing, in the Arctic and Antarctica in the same year. He didn\u2019t start running until he was 65, so he\u2019s proving that\u2019s it\u2019s never too old to start and accomplish something.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
His advice to students: \u201cShowing gratitude to those who support your success is vital. Stay humble, cultivate gratitude, work diligently, and enjoy life.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n