MANASSAS, VA, 01-MAY-06 -- Lockheed Martin was recognized by George Mason University's School of Information Technology and Engineering for forging a strong partnership that spans recruiting, academic staff support and philanthropy.

The Corporate Recognition Award was created by Lloyd J. Griffiths, dean of George Mason University’s IT&E school, to recognize corporations that have demonstrated their commitment to higher education through innovation and philanthropy. Dean Griffiths presented the award to Denise Saiki, director of Technical Operations at Lockheed Martin’s facility in Manassas, during the school’s recent IT&E Awards Gala.

George Mason University benefits from the numerous Lockheed Martin employees who volunteer on university advisory councils, boards and capstone review panels, as well as serve as adjunct professors and guest speakers. As a corporation, Lockheed Martin often recruits recently graduated engineers from the university and has a highly selective leadership development program which requires those selected to pursue engineering master’s degrees.

“Lockheed Martin and George Mason University have worked closely together to form a win-win partnership that benefits both university students and our employees,” said Edward Lewis, Lockheed Martin Training and Development manager. “Our employees enjoy being involved and active in the George Mason campus community and our company strongly supports life-long learning for its own employees, many of whom pursue graduate degrees at George Mason.”

“Lockheed Martin has been a long and loyal supporter of George Mason University and the School of Information Technology and Engineering for many years,” said Jennifer Lamb, director of development at the university’s Volgenau School of IT&E. “Lockheed Martin employees’ commitment and dedication have played a valuable role at the university, the school, and in the Northern Virginia technology community. We are delighted to honor Lockheed Martin with the Dean’s Corporation Recognition Award this year.”