RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, N.C. – The Global Automotive Aftermarket Symposium (GAAS) Scholarship Committee has awarded nine additional scholarships to U.S. students pursuing aftermarket careers in 2009. The second round of awards was made possible by donations of more than $10,000 received at the 2009 Symposium, held May 6-7 in Chicago.
This latest group of nine GAAS scholarship winners each will receive $1,000 toward their education. At GAAS 2009, the Scholarship Committee announced the previous awards: 54 GAAS $1,000 awards and five recipients of the Breslow Foundation $2,000 scholarships.
In the history of the scholarship program, more than 1,400 students have received aid totaling approximately $1.4 million.
“Thanks to the generous support of GAAS attendees, we have been able to assist more deserving students who are pursuing their educational goals,” said Pete Kornafel, chairman, GAAS Scholarship Committee. “It speaks highly of our industry that, even during this economic downturn, we continue to support students planning future careers in the automotive aftermarket.”
The additional 2009 GAAS awards were made possible by pledges from the following individuals, companies and foundations:
• Jim Franco, Autologue
• Robert Blair, The Grandborough Partnership II
• Jeff Brekke, The Gates Corp.
• Fred Bunting, Auto Wares Inc.
• Clay Buzzard, Uni-Select USA Inc.
• CARQUEST Corp.
• Al Gaspar
• Scott Luckett, AAIA
• Jay MacLeod, Advantage Marketing Specialists
• Tom Marx, The Marx Group
• Lou Merz, Aftermarket Growth Concepts
• Tim & Pam Nash, Northwood University
• Jeff Olefson, Forecast Products
• Bob Richardson, Clorox
• Mort Schwartz, Marilyn Schwartz Memorial Fund at University of Aftermarket Foundation
• Tim Sturdevant, SAE Warehouse
The GAAS scholarships are funded through proceeds from the Global Automotive Aftermarket Symposium. This year’s scholarships include those funded through the donations and grants from:
• AAIA Leadership Development Network
• Michael Busch Memorial Fund
• Art Fisher Memorial Scholarship Fund
• Peter and Lorraine Kornafel
• Multi-Parts Supply
• RL Polk
• Kathleen Schmatz
• Udell Family Foundation
• University of the Aftermarket Foundation
• Zurich
“Our efforts to increase collaboration with other automotive and aftermarket groups resulted in a near record number of applications this year at the GAAS scholarship Web site from students seeking automotive scholarships,” Kornafel said. “By working together, we are benefiting the students who can submit one application and be considered for multiple scholarships,” he added.
Collaborative efforts with state associations and other automotive groups include:
• Automotive Aftermarket Association of the Carolinas and Tennessee (AAACT)
• Automotive Aftermarket Association Southeast (AAAS)
• Association of Diesel Specialists (ADS)
• Automotive Parts & Services Association (APSA)
• Automotive Parts and Service Association of Illinois (APSA of IL)
• Arizona/California/Nevada Automotive Wholesaler’s Association (CAWA)
• Kentucky / Indiana Automotive Wholesalers Association (KIAWA)
• New York State Automotive Aftermarket Association (NYSAAA)
• Ohio Valley Automotive Aftermarket Association (OVAAA)
Each of these other collaborating groups has their own criteria and selects their own recipients for their scholarships.
To be eligible for a GAAS scholarship, applicants must be enrolled full-time in a college-level program or an ASE/NATEF (National Automotive Technician Education Foundation) certified automotive technical program. Graduate programs and part-time undergraduate programs do not qualify.
The GAAS scholarship is unique in that recipients who graduate from their program and show proof of employment as technicians in the automotive aftermarket for at least six months after graduation can receive a second matching award.
GAAS Scholarship applications for 2010 will be available online beginning in September 2009 at www.automotivescholarships.com. The deadline for submitting 2010 scholarship applications is March 31, 2010.
The annual investment to help develop future aftermarket industry leaders is primarily funded through proceeds from the annual Global Automotive Aftermarket Symposium. This two-day program brings together numerous industry executives and examines the issues and trends affecting the automotive aftermarket industry and influencing its future. More details, including the 2010 Symposium dates and location, are at www.globalsymposium.org.
For more information about supporting the GAAS Scholarship Fund, contact Susan Medick at AAIA, 301-654-6664 or s[email protected].
