CUTR was excited to welcome Middleton High School students for the 2023 Garett A. Morgan Shadow Day. Prompted through the Conference of Minority Transportation Officials (COMTO), Garrett A. Morgan Shadow Day educated students about careers in transportation.
After a short breakfast and introduction, CUTR Executive Director Fred Mannering, Ph.D., discussed his road to transportation research. Secretary David Gwynn from the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) District 7 spoke about local initiatives and transportation careers. Students also heard from Jean Duncan, P.E., with the City of Tampa. She explained her history with engineering and STEM and presented information about summer internship programs. After lunch, Middleton students toured the Design for X Laboratory, learned more about the traffic signal control cabinet, and tested CUTR’s motorcycle simulator. With transportation provided by Hillsborough Area Regional Transit (HART), students toured the FDOT District 7 Transportation Management Center and listened to Iranetta J. Dennis, President of the Central Florida Chapter of COMTO.
This was an extremely successful educational event, and we look forward to planning next year’s Garrett A. Morgan Day!
Special thanks to Eric Hill, COMTO, Greater Tampa Section ITE, FDOT District 7, HART, Jean Duncan, Women’s Transportation Seminar (WTS), EJ Rides, Ryan Wakefield, USF’s College of Engineering and Design for X Laboratory. And an extra special thank you to the teachers at Middleton High School!
