SME Education Foundation -- Message From the President
Welcome to the SME Education Foundation!
President - SME Education Foundation
Khalil S. Taraman, PhD, FSME, PE
Lawrence Technological University
Dear Friends,
For nearly 30 years the mission of the SME Education Foundation has been to attract and develop the future manufacturing workforce by acquiring and intelligently applying resources to support the advancement of manufacturing education. As we close 2008 I am pleased to report that the SME Education Foundation remains true to our founding tenets.
Through our partnerships with like-minded corporations, organizations, foundations, and you, the individual donor, we have been able to continue to inspire, support and prepare the next generation of manufacturing engineers and technologists.
Inspire
Once again our youth activities rise to the forefront. In 2008 we impacted the lives of over 4,000 middle and high school students across the nation through our Gateway Camps, Gateway Academies and sMe Institutes. In 2009 we will fund 220 programs and serve over 5,000 students.
Support
We continue to assist our next generation of manufacturing engineers and technologists through our scholarship program. In 2008, we awarded nearly $600,000 in scholarships to over 135 students across the country. In 2009 we anticipate awarding almost $700,000 to deserving students.
In 2008, in partnership with 3M, we recognized 15 outstanding instructors through our Building the Future Award program. These instructors were selected from nominees from across the nation for their dedication to America's young people, for opening doors, and providing the inspiration to help young learners consider the possibilities of an engineering career.
Prepare
It is because of the commitment and dedicated work of the Foundation Board of Directors, Committees, and staff that we have been able to accomplish so much. Even with the current economic uncertainty, in 2009, we plan to move forward boldly, to continue to forge partnerships with new corporations and foundations and seek to increase our endowments so that we can continue to inspire, support, and prepare young people to pursue careers in manufacturing and manufacturing technology.
All of this was possible because of you, our donors, Thank You! Because of you and your commitment to the work of the SME Education Foundation we can move forward in confidence that we can and will change the state of the nation by preparing the future generation to compete in a global economy and keep our nation on the leading edge of innovation and creativity.
Sincerely,
Khalil S. Taraman, PhD, FSME, PE
President
SME Education Foundation
Society of Manufacturing Engineers Education Foundation :: One SME Drive :: P.O. Box 930 :: Dearborn, Michigan 48121 USA
Phone: (313) 425-3300 :: Fax: (313) 425-3411
