Since 1979, the SME Education Foundation has been one of the leading non-profits dedicated to the advancement of manufacturing education.
In September, the SME Education Foundation received a finalist award from Automation Alley for having the “Best Education Program of the Year.” The award honored the Foundation for its dedication to the advancement of grades K-16 manufacturing education – specifically for the Gateway Academy program and providing more then $29 million to youth programs, scholarships and awards.
Sherril West, president of SME-EF, and vice president (ret.), Caterpillar Inc., says, “We are responding to the needs of industry, and the serious problem of finding qualified candidates for highly technical areas of manufacturing. These future engineers have displayed an ability to think on a grand scale, be initiative oriented, excel academically, and advance their career potential."
 | Hemagiri Arumugam will attend M.I.T, Cambridge, Md., to realize his dream of a career in mechanical/manufacturing engineering as a result of being awarded a renewable SME-EF Family Scholarship Award. Says Arumugam, “This award is important to me. I want to be able to learn how to maximize the efficiency of products and technologies by making improvements both ergonomically and economically while minimizing detrimental effects on the environment." |
 | Geddy J. Lallathin will attend California State University, Fullerton, Calif. to pursue a degree in manufacturing engineering with his one-time SME-EF Family Scholarship Award. Says Lallathin, "This award allows me to make what I hope will be a significant contribution to the transformation of ideas and engineering skills into real-life applications." |
 | Elizabeth Bowers will attend Tulane University, New Orleans, La., to study chemical engineering and pursue a degree in drug research with her one-time SME-EF Family Scholarship. Says Bowers, “I am most attracted to biology, chemical engineering, and drug research. I would eventually like to set a forum of discussion across industry and regulatory agencies for manufacturing engineering and quality in all aspects of pharmaceuticals." |
In 2006, more than 150 students will share in over $384,650 in scholarships. The Foundation has given over $2.5 million in scholarships and awards to students studying in manufacturing-related programs. Most scholarships are funded by corporate and private individuals through gifts to the Foundation.
About the Family Scholarship Award:
Children or grandchildren of SME members are eligible for the Family Scholarship Award. It provides up to $20,000 annually, renewable up to three times based on continued academic excellence for a total award of up to $80,000. The recipient must be a graduating high school senior or undergraduate school student with no more than 30 credit hours, maintain a G.P.A. of at least 3.0 on a 4.0 scale, have a minimum SAT score of 1,000 or ACT of 21, and be pursuing a degree in manufacturing engineering, technology, or a closely related engineering field of study at an accredited college or university in the United States or Canada.
About the SME Education Foundation:
The SME Education Foundation is one of the leading non-profit organizations dedicated to advancing manufacturing education through grants to colleges and universities, scholarships and fellowships, and student outreach programs. More than $19 million has been awarded in cash grants, scholarships and special awards. The Society of Manufacturing Engineers (SME) created the SME Education Foundation in 1979 as a means of identifying competency gaps and transforming manufacturing education in North American colleges and universities. Visit www.sme.org/foundation.
Editors Note:
Photos are available on request. Background information and news releases can be accessed on the SME Home Page at www.sme.org/pressroom.
No. 20061095
If you have any questions or comments, please contact the SME Education Foundation by phone (313) 425-3300, e-mail foundation@sme.org, or Fax: (313) 425-3411