Officials from Lockheed Martin recently met with faculty of a Prince George's County, Md., school, Prince George's Community College and the University of Maryland-College Park to sign an agreement that will fund the college education of future engineers and computer scientists.

Potomac High School, Oxon Hill, Md., has created a new academy of science and technology to interest students in careers in technology. Lockheed Martin supplied computers for its laboratory, and the company will provide periodic lecturers and mentors.

Under the new program, Potomac officials will select five freshman students annually from the academy for the program. When they graduate they will enter Prince George's Community College to earn an associate's degree in one of several technical disciplines. From there, the students will transfer to the University of Maryland to earn their bachelors degrees in engineering or one of several other designated technical degrees.

Linda Gooden, president of Lockheed Martin Information Technology, emphasized the value the program has for Lockheed Martin and other technology companies: "The average age of our workforce increases every year. If we are to meet future commitments, industry must encourage the Nation's increasingly diverse student population to enter engineering programs in college. Our very future lies in our success in recruiting and retaining this new pool of qualified technical talent," she said.

In a brief ceremony at the school on September 12, Gooden gave the Corporation's first annual check of $40,000 to Prince George's Community College president Dr. Ronald Williams. The program is being funded through a foundation at the community college. The first Potomac students will enter the college following graduation in 2007.

Headquartered in Bethesda, Md., Lockheed Martin employs about 125,000 people worldwide and is principally engaged in the research, design, development, manufacture and integration of advanced technology systems, products and services. The corporation reported 2002 sales of $26.6 billion.

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SOURCE: Lockheed Martin