From forklifts to finals, Lowrey completes degree
Somewhere between airport terminals, hotel rooms and the cab of a 36,000-pound ZH-360L electric forklift, Matlyn Lowrey earned her Bachelor of Applied Science Degree from Mississippi University for Women.
The Louisville native arrived home at 2 a.m. the morning of graduation. She had just flown from Las Vegas to Houston to Jackson before driving the rest of the way home. The travel was not for celebrating, but to represent Taylor Group of Companies at an industry trade show as its marketing and trade show coordinator.
Throughout her student career, Lowrey searched for the quietest place in airports to take exams, hid in the cab of heavy equipment at trade shows to complete quizzes and used Amazon Prime to ship a calculator to her hotel room. She even completed a handwritten essay while sitting at a tradeshow booth.
“It was a blur. Lots of caffeine, lots of prayers,” said Lowrey. “Looking back, I’m just like, wow. I actually made it.”
While pursuing her Bachelor of Applied Science in Business Administration with an emphasis in marketing, Lowrey was constantly performing a balancing act of working 40 hours or more and often taking 18 to 21 credit hours a semester.
“The W worked with me, and so did my employer,” she said. “Both sides understood I had responsibilities.”
Lowrey’s professional journey began during her second year at East Mississippi Community College, while pursuing an associate degree in business and marketing management. She initially joined Taylor Group as an intern in the IT department, but quickly transitioned to marketing. Today, she helps oversee marketing for 16 subsidiaries, including international companies.
“My teachers know who I am,” she said. “I feel like I’ve gotten a better college education because my classes have been more personal.”
Lowrey found The W through word of mouth and a self-guided tour of campus, noting that the admissions process was straightforward. Wanting to avoid large lecture halls and expensive tuition costs, she appreciated the university’s personal atmosphere and affordability. Thanks to financial aid and scholarships, Lowrey will graduate with both a degree and zero debt. On days when she was especially pressed for time, she appreciated being able to quickly get anywhere on campus.
“I remember when Matlyn first reached out to me before coming to The W. She was completing her AAS degree at EMCC while also working full time. Because the marketing degree is a face-to-face program, she was understandably concerned about balancing classes with a full-time job in another town. We worked together to create a schedule that fit her needs, and she decided to take the leap — and I am so glad she did,” said Dr. Dee Larson, chair of the Department of Business.
“Matlyn has been an excellent student in all of my marketing courses. As her advisor, I have been particularly impressed by her ability to successfully balance full-time work responsibilities with a demanding academic workload while maintaining a strong GPA and consistently positive attitude,” said Thomas Haffey, instructor of marketing and management at The W. “Her hands-on experience working trade shows as an active marketer has also brought a valuable real-world perspective to class discussions.”
After years of balancing work and school, Lowrey walked across the stage and received her degree Friday, May 8. She now finds herself adjusting to something unfamiliar: free time.
“I’m very relieved that I’ve done it,” she said. “But I’m also really proud of myself.”