$600,000 in Engineering Scholarships - An Investment in the Future of Advanced Manufacturing

DEARBORN, Mich. - July 15, 2013 - PRLog -- DEARBORN, Mich.,— Last month, the SME Education Foundation (http://www.smeef.org/) (SME-EF) awarded $120,000 in Family and Director Scholarships (http://www.smeef.org/scholarships) to eight students pursuing engineering careers. In addition, the 2013 SME-EF scholarship winner’s circle includes 224 students who were awarded $521,500 in scholarships ranging from $1,000 to $7,000, with some receiving multiple awards. Family Scholarships were presented to the following students:  

Morgan K. Montalvo, Woodland Hills, Calif., recipient of the $70,000, four-year scholarship, will pursue a degree in Mechanical Engineering at California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo, Calif. A graduate of Chaminade College Preparatory High School, West Hills, CA, her academic achievements include AP and honors classes which she successfully completed with a 4.2 GPA. She was a member of the Eagle Engineering Robotics team which qualified for VEX World Championships from 2008-2012. Morgan is the daughter of SME member Susan McConnell, SME Chapter 173, Los Angeles & Ventura County.

Kelsey A. Scheppers, Holts Summit, Mo., recipient of a $10,000, one-year scholarship, will pursue a degree in Mechanical Engineering at the University of Missouri, Columbia, Mo. A graduate of Helias High School, Jefferson City, Mo., she was at the top of her class with a 4.0 GPA and was a member of the National Honor Society, the Academic Team, the Library Squad and Club International. Kelsey is the daughter of SME member Tom Scheppers, SME Chapter 287, Mid-Missouri.

Selin Frances Sirinterlikci, Moon Township, Pa., recipient of a $10,000, one-year scholarship, will pursue a degree in Mechanical Engineering at Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, Pa.
A graduate of Moon SHS, Moon Township, Pa., her 4.49 GPA reflects an exceptional academic record which includes AP and honors classes as well as membership in VEX Robotics, Bots-IQ and the speech & debate club. She is the daughter of Arif Sirinterlikci, SME Chapter 8, Pittsburgh.

Rebecca Ann Kurfess, Clemson, S.C., recipient of a $10,000, one-year scholarship, will pursue a degree in Mechanical Engineering at Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Mass. A graduate of D. W. Daniel High School, Central, S.C., she led her class with a 4.0 GPA and has already successfully completed two college-level math and economics courses.
Rebecca is the daughter of SME member Thomas Kurfess, SME Chapter 61, Atlanta.

In 2013, the Directors Scholarship acknowledged the contributions of Phillip Marsilius, FSME, LSME and awarded scholarships in his name. The Phillip Marsilius Directors Scholarshipwaspresented to four students, each of whom received a one-year, $5,000 award. The recipients were:  

Josiah H. Johnson, Duluth, Minn., is pursuing a degree in Manufacturing Engineering and Technology at the University of Wisconsin-Stout, Menomonie, Wis., where he holds a cumulative 3.53 GPA. His ultimate career goal is to establish his own consulting firm which will provide financial advice as well as engineering solutions to manufacturing companies. Josiah is a member of SME Student Chapter S088, University of Wisconsin-Stout.

Timothy W. Biederman, Osage, Iowa, is in the process of completing a Bachelor of Science degree in both Manufacturing Engineering and Automated Manufacturing at the University of Northern Iowa, Cedar Falls, Iowa and maintains a 4.0 GPA. He currently holds a CNC Technology Associate Degree from Hawkeye Community College, Waterloo, Iowa, and hopes to one day become a manufacturing engineer involved with the CNC machining process. Timothy is a member of SME Student Chapter S126, University of Northern Iowa.

Cheyenne McAnlis, Scottsdale, Ariz., is pursuing a Bachelor of Science degree in Industrial & Operations Engineering at Arizona State University - Polytechnic Campus, Mesa, Ariz., and  maintains a 4.0 GPA. He hopes to become a manufacturing engineer working with CNC multi-axis operations or designing flexible manufacturing systems. Cheyenne is a member of SME Student Chapter S043, Arizona State University.

Olivia J. Girod, Eugene, OR., is pursuing a Bachelor of Science degree in Industrial & Manufacturing Engineering at Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR., and recently completed the MECOP (Multiple Engineering Cooperative Program) internship. She is an honors student looking for a career that will allow her to combine her Industrial Engineering and Project Management skills. Olivia is a member of SME Student Chapter S019, Oregon State University.

“In today’s economic climate, scholarships are crucial to students and their chances for viable careers,” says Bart A. Aslin, CEO, SME Education Foundation. “As the emerging technologies sector continues to accelerate, companies increasingly dependent on advanced manufacturing technologies want to hire engineers capable of designing and improving products.”

The SME Education Foundation Family Scholarship Awards seek to support the children and grandchildren of SME members and to encourage their pursuit of careers in manufacturing engineering and technology.

About SME Education Foundation Scholarships:
Since 1998, the SME Education Foundation has provided more than $8.1 million in scholarships and $1.2 million in awards through its various scholarship programs to graduating high school seniors, current undergraduates and masters or doctoral degree students pursuing degrees in manufacturing and related fields at two and four-year colleges.

Key scholarship programs include: Ford Blue Oval Scholarships, Gene Haas Machining Technology Scholarships and for SME Student Chapter members, the Joseph P. Novek Outstanding Student Leader Award and Future Leaders of Manufacturing Scholarship.
For more information about SME Education Foundation scholarships, winners and how to apply, visit smeef.org/scholarships (http://www.smeef.org/scholarships).

About SME Education Foundation:
The SME Education Foundation is committed to inspiring, preparing and supporting 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 $33 million since 1980 in grants, scholarships and awards through its partnerships with corporations, organizations, foundations and individual donors. Visit the SME Education Foundation at smeef.org. Also visit CareerMe.org (http://www.careerme.org/) for information on advanced manufacturing careers and ManufacturingisCool.com (http://www.manufacturingiscool.com/), our award-winning website for young people.

Media Contact: Bart A. Aslin, CEO, SME Education Foundation, 313.425-3300, baslin@sme.org

Note to Media: Student photos and video are available upon request.
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