University of Tennessee Space Institute alumnus Kay Irby Cooper 88’, was recently honored with the FedEx IT Hall of Fame Award. The award recognized her outstanding contribution to a large scale project targeting international trade enhancements.

Cooper, currently of Memphis TN, received her Master’s Degree in Engineering Science and Mechanics under the supervision of Firouz Shahroki, Remote Sensing Technologies. She earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Science Management Information Systems and Services and a Bachelor’s Degree, in Business Management, both at UT Chattanooga. She has over 15 years of experience in IT services, including programing, testing, and business requirements development.

Cooper has worked for FedEx for over 6 years and is the Sr. Business Applications Analyst working in IT, supporting business and system requirements and process improvement.

Cooper recently helped organize the first Memphis Chapter of the Society of Women’s Engineers (SWE) and was selected as the K-12 STEM Outreach Chair on the leadership team. The Society helps inspire women to reach their full potential as engineers and leaders. The STEM program focuses on science, technology, engineering, and math fields, section member’s acting as role models and mentors to the young girls working with them.