2014 Is Record-Setting Year For Industry-Sponsored Scholarships - aftermarketNews

2014 Is Record-Setting Year For Industry-Sponsored Scholarships

In total, 295 awards were presented for the 2015 academic year.

RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, N.C. – The class of 2014 set a new record in the scholarships awarded through the Global Automotive Aftermarket Symposium (GAAS) scholarships, University of the Aftermarket (UAF) scholarships and collaborating organizations at automotivescholarships.com: 295 awards for a total of $320,050. The previous record set in 2013 was 250 awards for $264,050. This year’s recipients include 241 U.S. students and seven Canadian students.
 
“The academics of these recipients are outstanding,” said Pete Kornafel, chairman of the GAAS scholarship committee. “Of those recipients who reported high school grade point averages (GPAs), 81 percent had GPAs of 3.0 and 47 percent had GPAs of 3.5 or higher. Of those recipients who reported high school class rank, 72 percent were in top half of their class.” He also noted that 49 percent of the applicants are already enrolled in post-secondary programs, and 83 percent of those have GPAs of 3.0 or higher.
 
“Perhaps most important to the automotive aftermarket’s future, 83 percent of the U.S. recipients are training to become technicians,” Kornafel noted.
 
By completing a single application at the automotivescholarships.com website, students can be considered for multiple scholarships. A total of 34 of the 2014 scholarship recipients received two awards, and five recipients received three awards.
 
“One outstanding applicant received a total of four awards and also achieved a first in the history of this scholarship program: the first-ever ‘father and son’ scholarship winners,” Kornafel said. Matthew Bisbee, a U.S. Army veteran, is the four-award winner. He is currently enrolled in the collision training program at Lake Superior College, Duluth, Minn. Bisbee’s son, Courtney, also a scholarship winner, is enrolled in the automotive service technology program at Lake Superior College.
 
Sara Mohon, another multiple scholarship winner, received the largest total awards at $8,000, which includes a $5,000 award from the Car Care Council Women’s Board. She is a Ph.D. candidate in automotive engineering at Clemson University.
 
“We are accepting applications for the 2015 awards now at www.automotivescholarships.com,” Kornafel said. “I urge all industry professionals to promote this one-stop site for students planning to pursue aftermarket careers. Scholarships are available for two-year technical college programs and vocational schools and four-year college programs.”
 

You May Also Like

MPA Reports Strong Financial Results for Fiscal Q3 2024

MPA’s Q3 results showed increases in net sales, operating income and cash flow from operating activities.

Motorcar Parts of America, Inc. released its financial results for the fiscal 2024 third quarter and nine-month period ending December 31, 2023, showcasing increases in net sales, operating income and cash flow from operating activities.

During the fiscal third quarter, net sales surged by 13.2 percent to $171.9 million, accompanied by a substantial improvement in gross margin by 3.7 percentage points. Gross profit increased by 43.1 percent to $30 million, while operating income increased 170.1 percent to $9.5 million. The company generated approximately $53.6 million in cash from operating activities during the quarter, according to MPA's earnings report.

O’Reilly Reports Q4, Full-Year 2023 Financial Results

The company said it anticipates continued growth in 2024, with projections including 190 to 200 net new store openings.

financial results
Valvoline, Inc. Reports Q1 Growth

Valvoline saw an increase in system-wide stores to 1,890, including 895 company-operated stores and 995 franchised stores in Q1.

Valvoline Instant Oil Change building
Eaton Reports Record Q4 2023 Results

Fourth-quarter sales reached $6 billion, an 11% increase from the previous year, driven by organic growth and a slight boost from foreign exchange.

PACCAR Achieves Record Annual Revenues, Net Income

PACCAR Parts reported a record annual pre-tax income of $1.7 billion and revenues of $6.41 billion.

Financial-results

Other Posts

Continental Unveils Strategy for Enhanced Value Creation

Continental is focusing on business areas with high growth potential, including making its UX business organizationally independent.

Conti-HQ
AutoZone Q1 Domestic Same Store Sales Increase 1.2%

The company’s same-store sales showed a 25.1% jump internationally.

Advance Looks to Spin Off Worldpac, Canadian Business

Advance is taking steps to improve its cost structure and return the business to profitable growth, company executives said.

Advance auto parts store
GPC Reports Q3 Results, Updates Full-Year Outlook

Paul Donahue, chairman and CEO, said GPC’s Q3 was highlighted by double-digit earnings growth.