2015 SEMA Memorial Scholarships Announced

The SEMA Memorial Scholarship Fund awarded $150,000 to 58 individuals this year. This includes 45 SEMA scholarships presented to current students, and 13 loan-forgiveness awards presented to employees of SEMA-member companies.

Recipients of these scholarships will be entering into the disciplines of automotive engineering and technology, automotive aftermarket, mechanical engineering, business management, electrical engineering, education, industrial engineering and design, automotive machinist, public affairs/administration, graphic design, communications and computer and information sciences.

More than $2 million has been awarded to more than 1,000 deserving students since the program’s establishment in 1984. The SEMA Memorial Scholarship Fund and the SEMA Loan Forgiveness Program are dedicated to fostering the next generation of automotive aftermarket industry leaders and innovators by helping them get off to a successful start in their education and automotive aftermarket career.

The online application for next year’s awards will be accepted from Nov. 1, 2015 through April 1, 2016 at sema.org/scholarships. For questions or additional information, please contact Juliet Marshall, SEMA Education Manager, at 909-978-6655 or email [email protected].

2015 SEMA Memorial Scholarship Award Winners

Tyler Bagby, University of Central Missouri
Steven Baltzell, Western Technical College (Jim A. Borre Award)
Charles Becker III, University of Northwestern Ohio (Motorsports Parts Manufactures Council (MPMC) – Dan Borre Award)
Jordan Belcher, Appalachian State University
Matthew Bisbee, Lake Superior College (Top Student Award)
Courtney Bisnee, Lake Superior College
Skyler Brungardt, South Dakota School of Mines and Technology
Brenden Bungert, University of Minnesota-Duluth
Erik Cahill, California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo (Hot Rod Industry Alliance (HRIA) – John Menzler Memorial Award)
Cody Casale, Art Center College of Design (Phil Weiand Award)
Trevor Chaney, University of Northwestern Ohio
Brain Choe, University of Washington-Seattle Campus
Joel Cosby, Western Governors University
Elijah DeWitt, Iowa Central Community College
Nicholas D’Orazio, Georgia Institute of Technology (Bernie Karp Award)
Austin Ellis, Colorado School of Mines
Elizabeth Ellis, Texas A&M University
Almon Evans, University of Northwestern Ohio (Joe Hrudka Award)
Logan Farmer, University of Northwestern Ohio (Leo Kagan Award)
Lael Gobble, Georgia Institute of Technology (Bernie Karp Award)
Austin Hiebert, McPherson College (Automotive Restoration Market Organization (ARMO) – Jeff Moses Award)
Cynthia Jones, Tyler Junior College
Jeffery Kesterson, Oregon Institute of Technology (Thurston Warn Award)
Carl Klamn, Western Governors University (Louis L. Borick Award)
Daniel Konzelman, Northwest University (Manufacturer’s Representative Network (MRN) Award)
Bryan Kuhn, Walsh University (Performance Warehouse Association (PWA) Award)
Anna Layer, Western Michigan University
Kevin Letterman, Stanford University (Louis L. Borick Award)
Lillian Macaruso, University of Northwestern Ohio (Leo Kagan Award)
Alison Queener, Kettering University
Garrett Rider, University of Missouri-Columbia, (Wheel & Tire Council (WTC) – Michael Kunzman Award)
Bobby Robertson Jr., McPherson College
Robert Rose, University of Northwestern Ohio (Dick Dixon Award)
Michael Shinkarenko, Spokane Community College (Steve Woomer Award)
Kaylynn Simmons, University of Northwestern Ohio (SEMA Businesswomen’s Network (SBN) Award)
Allen-Michael Skowron, Kettering University
Sarah Spoto, University of Rochester
James Stray, School of Automotive Machinists
Patrick Stroupe, Art Center College of Design (Phil Weiand Award)
Ryan Talaga, Northwood University (Nat Danas Award)
Stephen Toth Jr., Ohio University (Harlan Felder Award)
Byron Walker, University of Northwestern Ohio
Travis Walters, University of Northwest Ohio
Thomas Wee, Rosedale Technical Institute (Joseph B. Amato, Sr. Award)
Christopher Zendejas, California State University Northridge (K&N Engineering Award)

2015 SEMA Loan Forgiveness Award Winners

Robert Baldwin, Motor State Distributing (Performance Warehouse Association (PWA) Award)
Benjamin Bosworth, Pratt & Miller Engineering
Eric Burnett, Holley Performance Products
Andrew Clutter, A.R.E. Accessories LLC (Light Truck Accessory Alliance (LTAA) Award)
Calen Cussimanio, Nissan North America
Collin Gentry, Meyer Distributing
Robert Martin, Motor State Distributing/Lane Automotive (Performance Warehouse Association (PWA) Award)
Gregory Masterson, Smart Inc. / Chemical Guys (Professional Restylers Organization (PRO) Award)
Bryan Newman, Coker Tire (Young Executives Network (YEN) Award)
Steven Reini, Pratt & Miller Engineering
Michael Robins, Ford Racing/Ford Performance
Jessica Smith-Tarry, Summit Racing Equipment
Jordan Sneathen, SEMO Classic Mustang Inc. (Walley Parks Award)