Towson University Alumni Association Names Crystal Neely ’06 as Distinguished Young Alumna
Three others to be recognized at October event
TOWSON, Md.(September 18, 2014) —Crystal Neely, Ph.D., a scientist at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital in Memphis, Tennessee, has been named as Distinguished Young Alumna by the Towson University Alumni Association. Neely graduated in 2006 with a Bachelor of Science in molecular biology, biochemistry, bioinformatics and chemistry. Shortly after her graduation, Neely worked at Morgan State University in the biology department where she managed a research laboratory and collaborated with post-doctoral and graduate students. She was later accepted to the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill to pursue her graduate studies where she defended her thesis Cellular Mechanisms of Increased Susceptibility to Infection Following Severe Burn Injury. In 2013, Neely received her Ph.D. in microbiology and immunology. In her position at St. Jude’s, Neely studies the basic mechanisms of immune regulation that relate to cancer, infection and autoimmunity.
Neely and three other young alumni will be honored at the Alumni Association Young Alumni Awards on Thursday, October 23 at the University Union, Chesapeake Rooms on the TU campus, beginning at 6 p.m.
This is the first year for the Young Alumni Awards. The award will be presented annually to young alumni whose achievements and contributions have positively impacted their profession, community or Towson University.
Others to be recognized are:
Matt Sikorski ‘12: Outstanding Recent Graduate
During his time at TU, Sikorski was highly involved with co-curricular activities including: member of LeaderShape(a student leadership development retreat) in 2009 as a graduate of the program and in 2012 as a student facilitator, a Summer TU Cares Student Leader, and a National Residence Hall Honorary member. Additionally, Sikorski is one of the founding fathers of the Lambda Omega chapter of the Pi Kappa Alpha fraternity at Towson and was the president of the SGA as well as the vice president of the Towson University Senate. Throughout the years, Sikorski has been a member of the National Foundation of the Society for Human Resource Management and was awarded with the 2012 Marion Hoffman Ethical Leadership Award.
Ryan Hirsch ‘10: Young Service Award
Ryan Hirsch graduated with honors in 2010 and has since gained a position with the Baltimore County Health Department in the Women’s Cancer Protection Program. In his position, Hirsch helps women around the county to obtain needed health care. In 2011, Hirsch joined the Maryland Army National Guard which enabled him to continue his full time position while participating in unit training. Shortly after training, Hirsch joined the 200thMP Company Military Police in Catonsville. In 2013, he was given notice that he would deploy the following year. Hirsch served from May 2013 to March 2014. Ryan has been awarded The Army Achievement Medal for his professional skill and knowledge while providing mobility support to the Baltimore City Police Department during Hurricane Sandy. Additionally, Hirsch was awarded the Army Commendation Medal for his service on a joint task force for Operation Enduring Freedom from May 2013 to February 2014.
Elizabeth Borowsky ‘05: Young Entrepreneur Award
Elizabeth Borowsky graduated from Towson University in 2005 with a Bachelor’s of Arts degree in music which has been the foundation of her success at the International Music Institute and Festival USA. Borowsky is the Executive Director and oversees administration and development for young musicians involved in the program. Borowsky has organized an annual five-day concert tour that showcases selected musicians that perform at community concerts throughout Maryland and Pennsylvania. Outside of the IMIF, Borowsky teaches young artists at her comprehensive music education program, Piano Prodigies. It is within her music education program that Borowsky teaches students to not only perform in the studio but share their musical abilities around the community at retirement communities and hospitals. In addition to teaching at her own studio, Borowsky continually returns to the Towson campus to assist with courses and teach with Professor Reynaldo Reyes.
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Contact: Gay Pinder, Director of Media Relations
410-704-4471
About Towson University (www.towson.edu)
Founded in 1866, Towson University is among the nation’s best regional public universities, offering more than 100 bachelors’, masters and doctoral degree programs in the liberal arts and sciences, and applied professional fields. With close to 23,000 students, Towson University is among the largest public universities in Maryland. Towson combines research-based learning with practical application and its many interdisciplinary partnerships with public and private organizations throughout Maryland provide opportunities for research, internships and jobs. U.S. News & World Report has ranked Towson University one of the nation’s best and most efficiently run universities. An NCAA Division I school in athletics, Towson University is a member of the Colonial Athletic Association as well as the Colonial Academic Alliance.