Family, Director Scholarships invest in manufacturing's future.
Press Release Summary:
SME Education Foundation awarded $111,000 in Family and Directors Scholarships to 6 future manufacturing engineers. Spanning 30 years, Foundation's efforts center on identifying competency gaps, developing and funding enhanced curriculum, and providing funding via awards and scholarships, in-kind gifts, and grant funding. Scholarship Winner's Circle for 2011 includes 171 students who were awarded $498,450 in scholarships, ranging from $1,000-$70,000, with some receiving multiple awards.
Original Press Release:
SME Education Foundation Invests in the Future of Manufacturing with Family and Director Scholarships
The SME Education Foundation has awarded $111,000 in Family and Directors Scholarships to six manufacturing engineers - continuing its efforts to invest in the future of manufacturing by transforming manufacturing education.
DEARBORN, Mich. - Efforts by the SME Education Foundation to invest in the future of manufacturing by transforming manufacturing education continues with the awarding of $111,000 in SME Education Foundation Family Scholarships and SME Directors Scholarships to six future manufacturing engineers. The SME Education Foundation's broad-based effort spanning 30 years, centers on identifying competency gaps, developing and funding enhanced curriculum and providing funding in the form of awards and scholarships, in-kind gifts and grant funding. The SME Education Foundation Scholarship Winner's Circle for 2011 includes 171 students who were awarded $498,450 in scholarships ranging from 1,000 to $70,000, with some receiving multiple awards.
The highly competitive SME Education Foundation Family Scholarship supports the children and grandchildren of SME members, and encourages their pursuit of careers in manufacturing engineering and technology. The scholarship is made possible by the E. Wayne Kay Scholarship Fund, and awarded to students who demonstrate academic excellence and an interest in manufacturing engineering or a related technology.
For 2011, SME Education Foundation Family Scholarships have been awarded to:
Jesse M. Paschall, IV, Grand Rapids, Mich., recipient of a $70,000, four-year scholarship, to pursue a degree in Mechanical Engineering at North Carolina State University, Raleigh, N.C. A graduate of East Grand Rapids High School, Grand Rapids, Mich., he excelled in productive collaboration for the execution of many unique physics projects while maintaining a 3.9 GPA. He is the grandson of Marcus B. Crotts, former president of SME and member of the SME Education Foundation Board of Directors.
Kelli L. Knust, Ferdinand, Ind., recipient of a $10,000, one-year scholarship, to pursue a degree in Mechanical Technology Engineering at Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology, Terre Haute, Ind. A graduate of Forest Park High School, Ferdinand, Ind., she led her class with a 4.0 GPA. Her understanding of social accountability and responsibility were reflected in her academic and athletic accomplishments and being actively engaged in the Key Club, National Honor Society, Students Against Destructive Decisions, Peers Educating Peers, Natural Helpers, and the St. Ferdinand Youth Group.
Robert E. Creese, II, Mount Airy, Md., recipient of a $10,000, one-year scholarship, to pursue a degree in Chemical Engineering at Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pa. A graduate of Gleneig High School, Gleneig, Md., his 3.8 GPA reflected an exceptional academic record which included awards as AP Scholar with Distinction, the Gleneig High School Honor Roll, Minds in Motion Honor Awards, and involvement with the math and robotics teams.
"We believe every student has a right to a comprehensive educational experience to prepare them for a sustainable career path," says Bart A. Aslin, chief operating officer, SME Education Foundation. 'In addition to their academic excellence, these young people merited our scholarships because they have proven to be well on their way to developing '21st century skills,' critical thinking, problem solving, creativity and communication."
The Earl E. Walker Directors Scholarship Award recipients, each of whom received a one-year, $7,000 scholarship, include: Adam J. Carlson, Morgan, Minn., pursuing a degree Manufacturing Engineering Technology & Industrial Management at South Dakota State University, Brookings, S.D. Adam has maintained a 3.9 GPA and intends to combine his engineering and management skills to have his own business in the boating industry; Kimberly R. Daeschel, Philomath, Ore., is pursuing a degree in Industrial Engineering at Oregon State University, Corvallis, Ore. Maintaining a 3.9 GPA, she is enrolled in the OSU Honors College and will continue to participate in a MECOP manufacturing engineering internship, and Brendan T. Mathers, South Park, Pa., pursuing a degree in Manufacturing Engineering at Robert Morris University, Pittsburgh, Pa maintains a 3.9 GPA with a goal of graduate school and a career in materials engineering.
The importance of these scholarships is reflected in one of many studies, The 2009 Program for International Student Assessment (PISA), which reported that U.S. students' rank 17th in science and 25th in math compared to students around the world. Since 1998, the Foundation has provided over $4.7 million dollars in financial aid through its various scholarship programs. These have included graduating high school seniors, current undergraduates and masters or doctoral degree students pursuing degrees in manufacturing and related fields at two-year and four-year colleges. For more information about SME Education Foundation scholarships and how to apply, visit www.smeefscholarship.org.
About the SME Education Foundation Family Scholarship:
The SME Education Foundation seeks to support the children and grandchildren of SME members, and to encourage their pursuit of careers in manufacturing engineering and technology. This highly competitive scholarship, made possible by the E. Wayne Kay Scholarship Fund, is awarded to students who demonstrate academic excellence and an interest in manufacturing engineering or a related technology. GPA required (minimum overall): 3.0. Criteria: Applicants must be a child or grandchild of a SME member, either a graduating high school senior or undergraduate student with no more than 30 credit hours, and have a minimum SAT score of 1000, and/or ACT score of 21.
About the SME Directors Scholarship:
Scholarship applicants must be full-time graduates enrolled in a manufacturing or related degree program in the United States or Canada. Preference is given to students who demonstrate leadership skills in a community, academic, or professional environment. Scholarship applicants must have completed a minimum of 30 college credit hours and be seeking a career in manufacturing. Scholarship applicants must possess an overall minimum grade point average (GPA) of 3.5 on a 4.0 scale. The scholarship can only be used as a credit toward tuition, books, or fees.
About the SME Education Foundation:
The SME Education Foundation is committed to inspiring, supporting and preparing the next generation of manufacturing engineers and technologists in the advancement of manufacturing education. Created by the Society of Manufacturing Engineers in 1979, the SME Education Foundation has provided more than $31 million since 1980 in grants, scholarships and awards through its partnerships with corporations, organizations, foundations, and individual donors. Visit the SME Education Foundation at www.smeef.org, a new website www.CareerMe.org supporting advanced manufacturing careers and our award-winning website for young people, www.ManufacturingisCool.com.
Media Contact: SME Education Foundation, 313.425.3300, foundation@sme.org. Student photos available upon request.
If you have any questions or comments, please contact SME Public Relations by phone 313.425.3000, e-mail communications@sme.org, or Fax: 313.425.3403.
