Smith & Nephew Inc., a global medical devices company and Laura Whitsitt, vice president of Portfolio, Innovation and Research at Smith & Nephew, have established a partial scholarship to the Herff College of Engineering at the University of Memphis. Preference will be given to students who graduate from the Memphis Academy of Science and Engineering (MASE).

"I wanted to encourage a MASE student by mentoring and providing them the resources to continue their education in the biomedical or mechanical engineering field," said Whitsitt, a vice president at Smith & Nephew's orthopedic reconstruction division in Memphis. She is also a graduate of the engineering college at the University of Memphis.

"We appreciate Mrs. Whitsitt and Smith & Nephew for recognizing the academic excellence that our students strive for each day at MASE," said Tommie Henderson, principal. The scholarship, named the Smith & Nephew Excellence in Engineering Scholarship, will be available to students in MASE's first graduating class in 2009.

The Memphis Academy of Science and Engineering, Tennessee's first charter school, is a center of excellence in technology, science and math education. MASE's Jefferson campus is at 1254 Jefferson. MASE's mission is to mold productive members of the global community by focusing on state and national standards, strong industrial partnerships, numerous research opportunities, continuous technological improvements and a staff committed to social awareness, excellence, and personal responsibility.

For more information, log onto DiscoverMase.org.

Michael Todd is with The Carter Malone Group.