RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, N.C. – The Kentucky / Indiana Automotive Wholesalers Association (KIAWA) has awarded two students scholarships for the 2010-2011 academic year. Donavin Randall of Scottsburg, Ind., and Rebecca Stocklen of Murray, Ky., were awarded $1,000 scholarships to further their education from the George W. Wilson III and KIAWA Scholarship, named in honor of the first president of KIAWA, who served from 1959-1994.

Randall plans to further his career as an automotive collision technician by enrolling in the Lincoln College of Technology in Indianapolis. Stocklen plans to pursue a two-year college degree in diesel technology at West Kentucky Community and Technical College, in Paducah, Ky.

KIAWA collaborates in the online scholarship resource for students planning to pursue careers in the automotive aftermarket provided by the Global Automotive Aftermarket Symposium (GAAS) Scholarship Committee. These applicants also will be eligible for GAAS scholarships.

Applications for KIAWA’s 2010-2011 awards were taken through the automotive scholarships’ Web site, www.automotivescholarships.com.

“Donavin and Rebecca were selected from a well-qualified field of applicants based on their automotive industry experience, recommendations, career plans and record of academic achievement in the automotive field,” said Kim Rominger, executive director, KIAWA. “In our second year of collaboration with the GAAS scholarship online application process, we are extremely pleased with the process and with the caliber of applicants.”

“KIAWA’s scholars are typical of the outstanding applications we have received this year, and nearly 400 students applied,” said Pete Kornafel, chairman of the GAAS Scholarship Selection Committee. “We’re pleased to collaborate with KIAWA and the other scholarship organizations to attract talented qualified aftermarket employees for the future of our industry,”

In 2009, a total of 75 students – 68 in the United States and seven in Canada – were awarded scholarships by the GAAS scholarship fund and its contributors. Another 41 awards were made by other groups collaborating with GAAS. 10 students received multiple awards. Individual scholarships ranged from $250 to $2,000. A second round of donations in July was made possible by donations of more than $10,000 at GAAS 2009. In its 14-year history, the fund has presented more than $1.4 million in awards to approximately 1,400 students.

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)
• Wisconsin Automotive Part Association (WAPA)

Each of these other collaborating groups has their own criteria and selects their own recipients for their scholarships.

Additional scholarship funding comes from industry contributions from individuals, companies and foundations. Contributions can be made to the GAAS Scholarship Fund, c/o Susan Medick at AAIA, at 301-654-6664, or susan.medick@aftermarket.org.  

About the Global Automotive Aftermarket Symposium

The annual two-day Global Automotive Aftermarket Symposium brings together industry leaders and experts to examine the issues and trends affecting the automotive aftermarket and influencing its future. The 2010 event is set for Tuesday and Wednesday, May 18-19, at the Hyatt Regency O'Hare in Chicago, Ill. Details are at www.globalsymposium.org.  

About the GAAS Scholarship Program

The GAAS program is a joint professional education effort of the Alliance of State Automotive Aftermarket Associations (ASAAA), Automotive Aftermarket Industry Association (AAIA), Automotive Aftermarket Suppliers Association (AASA), Automotive Industries Association (AIA) of Canada, Automotive Parts Rebuilders Association (APRA), Automotive Service Association (ASA), Automotive Warehouse Distributors Association (AWDA), Motorist Assurance Program (MAP), Motor & Equipment Manufacturers Association (MEMA), Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA), Tire Industry Association (TIA) and University of the Aftermarket.

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