The Dearborn-based Society of Manufacturing Engineers announced Monday that inventor, entrepreneur and science and technology advocate Dean Kamen will deliver the keynote address at SME's International Awards Gala Monday, June 2.

The event will run from 7:30 to 10 p.m. at the Marriott Renaissance Center in  Detroit.  

The gala is is in conjunction with "A Passion for Manufacturing: 2008 SME Annual Meeting & Interactive 'Unconference,'" May 31 through June 3.

The SME International Honor Awards recognize significant contributions to the field of manufacturing engineering in the areas of manufacturing technologies, processes, technical writing, education, research, management and service to the society. Additionally, the SME Education Foundation will be awarding scholarships and honoring academics.

"The SME International Awards Gala celebrates our passion for manufacturing and those who have made an impact on it," said Mark C. Tomlinson, SME executive director and general manager. "Dean Kamen is one of the geniuses of our time, and he epitomizes the creativity and enthusiasm of our awardees, and his own passion for technology and its practical uses is sure to inspire members, manufacturing practitioners and educators and students who attend this event."

World-renowned inventor Dean Kamen is president of the DEKA Research & Development Corp., founder of FIRST Robotics, and a member of the Society of Manufacturing Engineers. Kamen's passion for technology and its practical uses has driven his personal determination to spread the word about technology's virtues and, by so doing, to change the culture of the United States. His vast knowledge of the physical sciences, combined with his ability to integrate the fundamental laws of physics with the most modern technologies, has led to the development of breakthrough processes and products.

Kamen is expected to share his vision for inspiring young people to become "science and technology heroes."  He is most proud of his role as the founder of FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology), a non-profit organization dedicated to inspiring the next generation of engineers. SME members and its Education Foundation are avid
supporters of the FIRST Robotics and other competitions.

"As manufacturing is the largest single contributor to the wealth of the world's economies, one of SME's primary purposes is to invest in the future," said Bart Aslin, SME Education Foundation director. "Mr. Kamen's FIRST organization and his lifelong innovative work are inspiring examples of how to ignite a young person's interest in science, math and, ultimately, an
engineering career,"

"A Passion for Manufacturing" will convene industry leaders, innovators, and educators from throughout the U.S. and Canada to share their ideas and best practices, and discuss advancements in manufacturing technologies and business practices. Open to SME members and nonmembers alike, "A Passion for Manufacturing" combines an Interactive ""Unconference"" with networking, leadership and industry recognition activities. The entire program has been built by SME members, with other manufacturer practitioners in mind.

For more detailed information, visit www.sme.org/annualmeeting.

SME also announced its International Honor Awards winners. Taking the Donald C. Burnham Manufacturing Management Award is Fred Keller, CEO of Cascade Engineering in Grand Rapids. Winning the SME Gold Medal Award is Kornel Ehmann, Farley Professor in Manufacturing and Entrepreneurship at  Northwestern University in Evanston, Ill. Winning the Joseph A. Siegel Service Award is Ron Bohlander GTRI Fellow and Director of Commercial Product Realization at the Georgia Tech Research Institute in Atlanta, Ga. Winning the SME Frederick W. Taylor Research Medal is Toshimichi Moriwaki, professor in the Department of Mechanical Engineering at Kobe University, Kobe, Japan. Winning the SME Albert M. Sargent Progress Award is A. Galip Ulsoy, William Clay Ford Professor of Manufacturing at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor. Winning the SME Eli Whitney Award is Ross Robson, PhD, retired executive director of the Shingo Prize in Logan, Utah; and winning the SME Education Award is Winston Erevelles, dean of the School of Engineering, Mathematics and
Science at Robert Morris University in Moon Township, Pa.