SME Education Foundation

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.

Myrtle and Earl Walker Scholarship

History

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Myrtle and Earl W. Walker established a named endowment in 1988 and have been generous donors of the SME Education Foundation supporting scholarships, grants to colleges and universities and Library awards. In business as well as family matters, they are true partners.

In 1952, Mr. Walker founded Carr Lane Manufacturing located in St. Louis, Missouri, with five employees and Myrtle was right by his side. Today, the company is a multimillion-dollar operation as an international provider of component parts for jigs and fixtures used in all areas of manufacturing, especially in the airline and automotive companies.

The Walkers are still actively involved in their local community, church, and educational and civic affairs. Mr. Walker has been an SME member since 1960 and has been recognized with many awards for his volunteer service of excellence in furthering the aims and objectives of the Society. He also served as the President of the SME Education Foundation from 1994 to 1997.

In January 2003, Myrtle and Earl Walker, an Emeriti Chairman of the Foundation pledged to match up to $50,000 in gifts made to any Foundation scholarship fund. The Walker Challenge was accepted by over 200 SME members and chapters, and by mid-October of that year the $50,000 mark was reached. The Challenge was just the latest act of generosity by the Walkers, who have also made numerous gifts to their own scholarship fund over the years.

"Myrtle and I believe that helping young people and seeing them enter the profession we have dedicated our lives to is what makes it all worthwhile."

-Earl Walker, Chair Emeritus, SME Education Foundation

Criteria

A. Scholarship applicants must be full-time undergraduate students enrolled in a degree program in manufacturing engineering or technology in the United States or Canada.

B. Scholarship applicants must have completed a minimum of 15 college credit hours or one semester and be seeking a career in manufacturing engineering or technology.

C. Scholarship applicants must possess an overall minimum grade point average (GPA) of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale.

D. The scholarship can be used only as a credit toward books, fees, or tuition.