Everything he’s got: Chemical engineering major Matthew Conway works every day to make himself—and the world—better

There’s a story about Matthew Conway’s college career that helps explain his formula for success—how he’s managed to double-major in chemical engineering and Spanish, while also pursuing the Bantivoglio Honors Concentration—and with perfect grades, too. 

It also explains how the Goldwater Scholar and Eagle Scout has earned multiple awards for his undergraduate research and how he’s managed to serve on the executive board of Rowan’s American Institute of Chemical Engineers chapter, while simultaneously serving as captain for the University’s men’s cross country and track and field teams. 

And it’s a story the Haddon Township native didn’t share when summarizing his four years at Rowan.    

During his sophomore cross country season, Conway experienced a heartbreaking setback during a weekend training run with his team. As he neared the end of a 14-mile-long run, he felt pain growing steadily in his foot and almost couldn’t finish the run. He limped back to the parking lot. 

Tests later revealed he had sustained a serious stress fracture, the kind of freak accident that causes immense pain and can end running careers. But Conway did not quit. He continued training in the pool and on a bike during his recovery. 

When he came back to the sport the following year, he was better than ever. He ran his best races during his senior year and made it to the NCAA Division III Championship in Indiana. 

“It’s really hard to come back and be at that level,” said his head coach, Dustin Dimit. “It speaks to him. He puts his all into it.”

Take Spanish, for example. Conway decided to learn the language during eighth grade. He wanted to become fluent, so he watched telenovelas and read Harry Potter books in Spanish, said his father, Dan Conway, a pediatric immunologist at St. Christopher’s Hospital for Children in Philadelphia.  

By his senior year of high school, he had gained enough proficiency that he volunteered to serve South Jersey Mutual Aid Network as its Spanish communication team lead. During the pandemic, the nonprofit provided food for up to 50 families each week.

The drive to help others is part of his family’s culture. His mother works for Camden’s Charter School Network, where she runs outreach programs after school and during the summer. His younger brother also works long hours at a summer camp.   

“He works very, very hard at being very, very good,” his father said. “I think the biggest person he seeks to be better than is himself. He wants to do well. He stretches himself. He tries new things.” 

On May 12, Conway will address his fellow graduates during the Commencement ceremony for the Henry M. Rowan College of Engineering. Following graduation, he plans to pursue a Ph.D. in chemical engineering at the University of Wisconsin–Madison. 

“I’m trying to be the best I can be,” Conway explained. “I constantly want to improve myself. The hard work is a symptom of that.” 

Ultimately, he wants to run his own research group working in sustainable chemistry. He found his passion for the work through his organic chemistry research under Rashanique Quarels, Ph.D., and in the Sustainable Design and Systems Medicine Lab run by Kirti Yenkie, Ph.D., where he studied the environmental effects of the municipal solid waste stream and recycling.

What inspires those around him isn’t so much his work ethic or his ability to build on his previous successes. It’s that he’s a team player, constantly working to benefit others.     

“I want to create a better world,” Conway said, “where we have cleaner air to breathe and fewer diseases.”