RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, N.C. – The Automotive Aftermarket Association of the Carolinas and Tennessee (AAACT) has awarded Justin Meekins of Washington, N.C., a $1,000 scholarship for the 2010-2011 academic year.

Meekins is a sophomore at East Carolina University, Greenville, N.C.

AAACT, a North Carolina-based automotive aftermarket association, is one of many regional associations which collaborate 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. Applications for 2010 scholarships were taken through its Web site, www.automotivescholarships.com.  

"Through the collaboration with GAAS, AAACT has been able to enhance our scholarship program and reach even more North Carolina students," said Randy Lisk, executive vice president, AAACT. "We are extremely pleased with the online process and with the caliber of applicants, and look forward to working through the GAAS scholarship site again next year."

"The AAACT award winner is typical of the 375 outstanding applications we received this year," said Pete Kornafel, chairman of the GAAS Scholarship Selection Committee. "Through the efforts of AAACT and other regional associations, along with the supporters of the GAAS scholarship fund, we are better able to assist students pursuing their dreams of an automotive aftermarket career."

The GAAS Scholarship Committee recently announced that it is presenting awards to 86 U.S. students for the 2010-2011 academic year. In its 15-year history, the fund has presented awards to approximately 1,500 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)
• Michigan Automotive Parts Association (MAPA)
• 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.GAAS 2010 will be held Wednesday, May 18 and Thursday, May 19, 2011 at the Hyatt Regency O'Hare, Chicago. For more information, visit www.globalsymposium.org.  

About the GAAS Scholarship Program

The GAAS program is a joint professional education effort of the 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 Remanufacturers 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. R. L. Polk & Co. is the corporate sponsor of the Global Automotive Aftermarket Symposium.

Back	Printer Friendly
Email To Friend To: From: Message: