Boeing

The Boeing Company [NYSE: BA] ranks first among corporations and U.S. government agencies in its support of historically Black engineering schools in the U.S., according to a recent independent survey of the deans of those schools.

In the survey, conducted last month by Career Communications Group, publisher of U.S. Black Engineer & Information Technology magazine, the deans of the country's 10 accredited engineering programs at historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs) were asked to identify corporate or government sponsors they feel contribute most to their institutional missions.

Of the 42 different corporations and government agencies named for going "above and beyond" in their relationships with HBCU engineering programs, Boeing was cited most often.

Engineering school deans involved in the survey were from Alabama A&M University, Normal, Ala.; Florida A&M University, Tallahassee, Fla.; Hampton University, Hampton, Va.; Howard University, Washington, D.C.; Morgan State University, Baltimore, Md.; North Carolina A&T State University, Greensboro, N.C.; Prairie View A&M University, Prairie View, Texas; Southern University, Baton Rouge, La.; Tennessee State University, Nashville, Tenn.; and Tuskegee University, Tuskegee, Ala.

" Boeing is expanding its relationships with engineering programs at universities throughout the world," said Boeing Chief Technology Officer David Swain. "We're gratified by the results of this survey involving historically Black colleges and universities because it's an indicator that our strategic focus on developing enduring, mutually beneficial relationships with these important institutions is working."

"HBCUs are valuable sources of diverse, intelligent, innovative people who will strengthen our businesses and communities, and help improve conditions globally," Swain said.

Boeing is involved with HBCU engineering programs on many levels. The effort is led by managers and engineers who work throughout the Boeing enterprise, including Boeing Phantom Works, the company's advanced research-and-development (R&D) unit and the catalyst for innovation inside the company. Activities include

• Research contracts: In 2002, Boeing awarded subcontracts valued at nearly $2 million to HBCUs.
• Executive participation: Senior Boeing executives work closely with the deans at HBCUs to promote mutual goals. Boeing executives also are active on the board of directors of several organizations including Advancing Minority Interest in Engineering (AMIE) and the National Action Council for Minorities in Engineering (NACME).
• Patent and equipment donations: Boeing supplements its charitable investments with technology, equipment and intellectual property donations. Boeing made a donation in 2001 of patents relating to optical logic and optical computing technology to the Alabama A&M University Research Institute that could be used to develop faster, more powerful computers.
• Faculty fellowships: Professors from HBCUs have been involved in the prestigious Boeing-A. D. Welliver Faculty Summer Fellowship Program, which is designed to provide educators with a better understanding of the practice of engineering in industry.
• Scholarships and internships: Boeing annually invests thousands of dollars in student scholarship funds at HBCUs. In addition, engineering students from HBCUs participate in the Boeing summer internship program, which provides students meaningful work experiences to supplement and enhance their academic programs.

In all, Boeing makes more than $8 million in charitable investments each year to help develop intellectual talent and promote academic achievement at colleges and universities with demonstrated records of academic excellence, programs fostering critical skills, and opportunities for diverse populations.

C1976