HUNTSVILLE, Ala., Jan. 17, 2011 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE:NOC) has provided $10,000 to establish the Lieutenant General Larry J. Dodgen Memorial Scholarship Fund under the charter of the Air, Space and Missile Defense Association (ASMDA). ASMDA will use the initial funds along with other contributions to give $4,000 educational scholarships annually to soldiers and their families in the name of Lt. Gen. Dodgen, who died in February 2010.
Dodgen, who retired from the U.S. Army in 2007, served as Northrop Grumman vice president of strategy for the missile systems business area and lead executive of the Missile Defense Integration Group. Before his death, he was appointed as Northrop Grumman's corporate lead executive for Huntsville and spent much of his time promoting and coordinating the company's activities with Huntsville business and community interests.
During his Army career, Dodgen led the Army Aviation and Missile Command and the Space and Missile Defense Command/Army Forces Strategic Command at Redstone Arsenal in Huntsville, Ala.
"Larry Dodgen was an outstanding commander, company leader and community champion," said Gary Ervin, Northrop Grumman corporate executive for missile defense and president of Northrop Grumman's Aerospace Systems sector. "Northrop Grumman is privileged to establish this scholarship in his name as a tribute to his service to his country, his work and his community."
The scholarship's sponsor, ASMDA, is a non-profit organization whose purpose is to provide programs and support that contribute to the understanding of the importance of space and missile defense systems to national defense. The organization has an existing scholarship program that awards up to $25,000 in funds to the science and engineering disciplines annually.
"The Lieutenant General Larry J. Dodgen Memorial Scholarship will be an excellent complement to our current educational programs, and we'll ensure it honors the legacy and memory of General Dodgen," said Robert C. Pollard, Jr., president of ASMDA.
Information about, including how to contribute to, the Lieutenant General Larry J. Dodgen Memorial Scholarship Fund is available at .
Northrop Grumman Corporation is a leading global security company whose 120,000 employees provide innovative systems, products, and solutions in aerospace, electronics, information systems, shipbuilding and technical services to government and commercial customers worldwide. Please visit for more information.
CONTACT: Sudi Bruni Northrop Grumman Information Systems (858) 592-3407 sudi.bruni@ngc.com