BETHESDA, MD, December 3rd, 1998 -- The Lockheed Martin Corporation has granted a total of $3.5 million to engineering and computer science programs at nine colleges and universities. Lockheed Martin annually provides funding to institutions of higher learning that demonstrate excellence in their engineering and computer science programs. We are naturally dependent upon the quality of education in our schools of engineering and computer science to provide a competitive workforce for our ongoing business concerns," said Vance D. Coffman, Lockheed Martin Chairman and CEO. "We believe we can help ensure a steady stream of potential candidates for employment in the high tech industry through our support for these institutions."

1998 grant recipients include the University of Maryland System, $1 million; Georgia Institute of Technology, $730,000; University of Central Florida, $480,000; University of Southern California, $400,000; Morehouse College, $250,000; North Carolina State University, $175,000; San Jose State University, $150,000; Mercer College, $150,000; and Arizona State University, $90,000.

Lockheed Martin has identified these colleges and universities as those institutions that place a high priority for recruiting graduates. Other institutions now receiving grants from Lockheed Martin for engineering and science programs include: the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Pennsylvania State University, University of Colorado at Boulder, University of Tennessee, Johns Hopkins University, Cornell, Florida A&M, Cal State Polytechnic, University of California at Berkeley, University of Florida, University of Michigan, Virginia Tech, Worcester Polytechnic Institute, Florida Institute of Technology, Harvey Mudd College, Morgan State, Princeton, and University of Alabama at Huntsville.

Headquartered in Bethesda, Maryland, Lockheed Martin is a highly diversified global enterprise principally engaged in the research, design, development, manufacture and integration of advanced-technology products and services. The corporation¿s core businesses span space and telecommunications, electronics, information and services, aeronautics, energy and systems integration. Employing approximately 170,000 people worldwide, Lockheed Martin had 1997 sales surpassing $28 billion.

1998 Program Grants to Colleges and Universities

University of Maryland System - $1 millionSupport for the Maryland Applied Information Technology Initiative, a multi-university effort aimed at doubling the number of graduates from Maryland higher education institutions in information technology disciplines and providing R&D, training, and technical support services to Maryland IT companies.

Lockheed Martin will provide $600,000 for scholarships for students enrolled in IT specialties at the participating institutions, and $400,000 for construction of two Lockheed Martin computer classrooms at the University of Maryland, College Park, one in engineering and one in computer science.

Georgia Institute of Technology - $730,000To establish a Lockheed Martin Term Chair in Avionics Integration within the School of Aerospace Engineering, and fund a new MS degree program with a concentration in avionics integration which will include: aerospace, industrial, systems, mechanical, and electrical engineering.

University of Central Florida - $480,000To establish programs for:

Undergraduate academic and research awards in engineering and optical sciences; Undergraduate multidisciplinary design team awards; Graduate student fellowships in engineering and optical science; Implementation of the synthetic Environment Learning Center and faculty awards to develop new curriculum for the Center; Undergraduate bridge work study program to encourage entry into science and engineering. University of Southern California - $400,000To support the establishment of a multimedia classroom and instructional laboratory in the new Engineering Academic Center.

Morehouse College - $250,000Enhancement of science education through scholarships, student internships and cooperative education, faculty internships, short topic seminars and the creation of a Lockheed Martin Lecture Series.

North Carolina State University - $175,000Scholarships for students in mechanical engineering, aerospace engineering and computer science.

San Jose State University - $150,000Continuing support of "Spartnik", a microsatellite student project involving aerospace, mechanical, electrical, and computer engineering, and computer science.

Mercer University - $150,000Provide endowment funds for two computer laboratories. Funds will be used to maintain software upgrades, peripheral supplies and component replacements.

Arizona State University - $90,000Support for a student project to complete the production, launch and operation of a small Earth imaging satellite, ASUSat1