The Science, Engineering, Mathematics and Aerospace Academy (SEMAA) of Wayne State University has been awarded $50,000 and 30 computers to further its objective of exposing K-12 students in Detroit to science, engineering and technology classes.

Broderick Johnson, a vice president of Congressional relations for AT&T Corp., presented a check to SEMAA's Director Marsha Cheeks for $25,000 on behalf of the AT&T Foundation.

"I'm glad to be able to bring $25,000 to this program," Johnson said. "Hopefully this will be the beginning of a much larger contribution."

Karla Hall, administrator corporate contributions for DTE Energy Corp., also presented Cheeks with a check for $25,000 and announced the donation of 30 computers to the SEMAA program.

"Helping youth satisfy their curiosity about math and science was a very easy decision for DTE to make a contribution to SEMAA," Hall said.

The checks were presented to Cheeks during SEMAA's annual award ceremony at General Lectures Hall on June 8.

The donations consummate the newly formed partnerships by SEMAA with the AT&T Foundation and DTE Energy to help support the program. SEMAA, which was started in 1997, is funded by the NASA Glenn Research Center. It is a partnership between Wayne State and the Detroit Public Schools.

The mission of the SEMAA program is to stimulate interests and career focus in the areas of science, engineering, mathematics and technology. There are about 420 students in grades K-12 involved in the program. There are three eight-week sessions on Saturdays during the fall, winter and spring semesters. There are also four one-week sessions held during the summer program. The students and teachers are recruited primarily from the Detroit Public Schools. All students in the Detroit area are encouraged to apply.

In addition to the checks, the program received a proclamation from Detroit Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick was presented to Cheeks by Christine Beatty, chief of staff for Mayor Kilpatrick. Beatty also announced that SEMAA would become part of "Mayor's Time " in the fall. Mayor's Time is a new initiative to provide constructive after school activities for Detroit school children from 3 to 8 p.m.

U.S. Rep. Carolyn Cheeks Kilpatrick, Provost and V.P. Academic Affairs Charles Bantz and college of science Dean Bob Thomas were also on hand for the SEMAA awards ceremony and check presentations.

Cheeks, Kilpatrick, Bantz and Thomas all thanked AT&T and DTE for their donations and encouraged the participating students to keep striving to do their best and applauded the parents and staff for their efforts.