SEMA Announces 2003 Scholarship Program for Collegiate, Vo-Tech Students
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Media contacts: Rosemarie Kitchin, rosemariek@sema.org SEMA, 909/396-0289, ext. 104 Lisa Guth, lisag@sema.org SEMA, 909/396-0289, ext. 181 SEMA ANNOUNCES 2003 SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM FOR COLLEGIATE, VO-TECH STUDENTS Application Deadline Is Friday, May 30 DIAMOND BAR, Calif. (Feb. 12, 2003) - SEMA, the Specialty Equipment Market Association, is seeking applicants for its 2003 scholarship program. SEMA's Scholarship Committee will select recipients of the valuable scholarships to colleges, universities, and vocational technical schools this summer, Dr. Kendall Pyle, SEMA’s director of educational services, announced. "We are seeking the best and the brightest students who are preparing for careers in the automotive aftermarket," Pyle said. He noted that the 2003 SEMA scholarship program will again make special provision to underwrite the higher educations of the children of SEMA-member company employees and of people who are already employed by SEMA- member companies. In 2002, SEMA's scholarship program awarded $80,000 to 60 men and women from 18 states. Nine of those 60 recipients were "related" to SEMA-member companies, Pyle said. The 60 students are currently enrolled in colleges and vocational education schools in 33 states. Pyle said that applicants for 2003 scholarships have until Friday, May 30, to submit their complete application package to the SEMA Scholarship Committee. How SEMA Awards Scholarship Funds The program awards scholarships at two eligibility levels, according to Pyle. Students currently enrolled in a four-year degree or graduate level program at an accredited college or university who have completed a minimum of 60 hours credit or have been classified as a junior or senior at the time of scholarship application are eligible for awards of $1,000 or more. Students currently enrolled in a two-year community college or proprietary vocational-technical program who have completed a minimum of 30 hours credit or have been classified as a sophomore are eligible for awards of $1,000. All applicants must meet the requirements of a 2.0 grade-point average minimum, demonstrate financial need equal to or exceeding the amount of the award, and be pursuing a course of study leading to a career in the automotive aftermarket or related field. This year’s scholarship application is available at www.enjoythedrive.com/scholarship, or by contacting Pyle at kenp@sema.org, 909/396-0289, ext. 125. People wishing to make contributions to the SEMA Scholarship fund should contact Pyle. Since it was founded in 1984, the SEMA Memorial Scholarship Fund has assisted nearly 300 students pursuing careers in the automotive aftermarket. The amount of scholarships awarded varies each year. The program, a 501(c)(3) corporation, is funded through individual and corporate donations and fundraising events including the SEMA Businesswomen’s Network Silent Auction held during the annual SEMA Show in Las Vegas. Mike Spagnola, president/CEO of Street Scene Equipment, is chairman of the SEMA Scholarship Committee. Dr. Pyle is the SEMA staff liaison for the committee and its programs. SEMA represents the $26 billion specialty automotive industry. Founded in 1963, the trade association has more than 4,500 member companies. It is the authoritative source of research data, trends, and market growth information for automakers and the specialty auto products industry. The industry provides appearance, performance, comfort, convenience and technology products for passenger cars, minivans, trucks, SUVs and recreational vehicles. For more information, contact SEMA at 1575 S. Valley Vista Dr., Diamond Bar, CA, 91765-3914; call 909/396-0289; or visit www.sema.org or www.enjoythedrive.com. ============================== If you do not wish to receive e-mail from SEMA, please reply to this message and tell us to delete you from the list.