The Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) Memorial Scholarship Fund was founded in 1984 to foster leadership opportunities in the specialty equipment marketplace and support
educational goals for students. Over the past two decades, SEMA Scholarships have supported over 400 students with more than $500,000 in scholarship awards.
SEMA Scholarship Poster D...
"SEMA has been fueling the future of the specialty equipment industryfor more than 20 years now and we are very proud of our awards, as wellas these students who have received them," said Mike Spagnola, president of Street Scene Equipment.
In response to the rising costs of education, the SEMA Scholarship program was restructured in 2004 to cover a broader base of students attending various universities, colleges, and/or vocational schools in both the United States and Canada. To further offer incentives for students to apply for SEMA scholarships, the award categories were increased with incentives positioned for the top applicant with the highest academic standing in select categories.
The program rewards only the best and brightest students engaged instudies leading to a career in the automotive specialty equipmentindustry or a related field. Sophomores in 2-year universities orcolleges, and students in vocational or technical schools received$1,000. Graduates and undergraduates with at least a junior standing ata 4-year school received $2,000 to $3,000. All students must have aminimum 2.5 grade-point average and be enrolled in an accrediteduniversity, college or proprietary program.
In addition, fourteen scholarships were awarded to relatives andemployees of SEMA member companies, including: Olea Exhibits & Displays;First Generation Camaros; Grrreat Creations G.C.I. Inc.; SmittybiltAutomotive Group; Felt Automotive; Tial Products; Access RPM YellowPages; Reliable Automotive; Spirit Industries; Marketing Matters;Keystone Automotive; Grant Products; and Considine Sales & Marketing.
For the second year in a row, SEMA awarded the Loan ForgivenessScholarship Award to qualified graduates with outstanding student loanswho have worked at a SEMA member company for at least one year. Thisprogram was developed as further incentive for students to seekemployment in the automotive specialty equipment industry upongraduation. Eight employees of SEMA member companies received $1,000paid directly to their loan company to satisfy outstanding studentloans. Those member companies include: Shur-Co; ANSA Automotive PartsDistributors; Skyjacker Suspensions; Summit Racing Equipment; DirectLine; ProMedia publishing; Competition Cams, Inc.; MB Marketing &Manufacturing; Automotive Manufacturing Group; TransamericanWholesale-Dealer Services; and Sullivana Tire & Auto Service.
For more information on the 2007 SEMA Scholarship or to download anapplication visit our website www.sema.org/scholarships or contact SEMA at education@sema.org
SEMA, the Specialty Equipment Market Association founded in 1963,represents the $31 billion specialty automotive industry of 6,466member-companies. It is the authoritative source for research, data,trends and market growth information for the specialty auto partsindustry. The industry provides appearance, performance, comfort,convenience and technology products for passenger and recreationalvehicles. For more information, contact SEMA at 1575 S. Valley VistaDr., Diamond Bar, CA 91765, tel: 909/396-0289 or visit www.sema.org
Donations in any amount are accepted and appreciated; since the SEMA Scholarship Fund is a 501-(c)-(3) corporation, all contributions are fully tax deductible.
For more information, contact SEMA Scholarship Fund by e-mail at education@sema.org