The SEMA Memorial Scholarship Fund awarded $150,000 to 58 individuals this year, including 45 SEMA scholarships presented to current students and 13 loan-forgiveness awards presented to employees of SEMA-member companies.

The scholarship winners will be entering a variety of disciplines.  Their disciplines include Automotive Engineering & Technology, Automotive Aftermarket, Mechanical Engineering, Business Management, Electrical Engineering, Education, Industrial Engineering & Design, Automotive Machinist, Public Affairs/Administration, Graphic Design, Communications, and Computer & Information Sciences.

Since the program was established in 1984, more than $2 million has been awarded to over 1,000 students.  Both the SEMA Memorial Scholarship Fund and the SEMA Loan Forgiveness Program are dedicated to assisting the next generation of automotive aftermarket industry leaders and innovators.  The programs aim to give students a successful start in their education and automotive aftermarket career.

The SEMA Memorial Scholarship Award Winners are:

• Tyler Bagby, University of Central Missouri
• Steven Baltzell, Western Technical College (Jim A. Borre Award)
• Charles Becker III, University of Northwestern Ohio (Motorsports Parts Manufactures Council (MPMC) – Dan Borre Award)
• Jordan Belcher, Appalachian State University
• Matthew Bisbee, Lake Superior College (Top Student Award)
• Courtney Bisnee, Lake Superior College
• Skyler Burngardt, South Dakota School of Mines and Technology
• Brenden Bungert, University of Minnesota – Duluth
• Erik Cahill, California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo (Hot Rod Industry Alliance (HRIA) – John Menzler Memorial Award)
• Cody Casale, Art Center College of Design (Phil Weiand Award)
• Trevor Chaney, University of Northwestern Ohio
• Brain Choe, University of Washington – Seattle Campus
• Joel Cosby, Western Governors University
• Elijah DeWitt, Iowa Central Community College
• Nicholas D’Orazio, Georgia Institute of Technology (Bernie Karp Award)
• Austin Ellis, Colorado School of Mines
• Elizabeth Ellis, Texas A&M University
• Almon Evans, Univeristy of Northwestern Ohio (Leo Kagan Award)
• Lael Gobble, Georgia Institute of Technology (Bernie Karp Award)
• Austin Hiebert, McPherson College (Automotive Restoration Market Organization (ARMO) – Jeff Moses Award)
• Cynthia Jones, Tyler Junior College
• Jeffery Kesterson, Oregon Institute of Technology (Thurston Warn Award)
• Carl Klamn, Western Governors University (Louis L. Borick Award)
• Daniel Konzelman, Northwest University (Manufacturer’s Representative Network (MRN) Award)
• Bryan Kuhn, Walsh University (Performance Warehouse Association (PWA) Award)
• Anna Layer, Western Michigan University
• Kevin Letterman, Stanford University (Louis L. Borick Award)
• Lillian Macaruso, University of Northwestern Ohio (Lego Kagan Award)
• Alison Queener, Kettering University
• Garrett Rider, University of Missouri-Columbia, (Wheel & Tire Council (WTC) – Michael Kunzman Award)
• Bobby Robertson, Jr., McPherson College
• Robert Rose, University of Northwestern Ohio (Dick Dixon Award)
• Michael Shinkarenko, Spokane Community College (Steve Woomer Award)
• Kaylynn Simmons, University of Northwestern Ohio (SEMA Businesswomen’s Network (SBN) Award)
• Allen-Michael Skowron, Kettering University
• Sarah Spoto, University of Rochester
• James Stray, School of Automotive Machinists
• Patrick Stroupe, Art Center College of Design (Phil Weiand Award)
• Ryan Talaga, Northwood University (Nat Danas Award)
• Stephen Toth Jr., Ohio University (Harlan Felder Award)
• Byron Walker, University of Northwestern Ohio
• Travis Walters, University of Northwest Ohio
• Thomas Wee, Rosedale Technical Institute (Joseph B. Amato, Sr. Award)
• Christopher Zendejas, California State University Northridge (K&N Engineering Award)

The SEMA Loan Forgiveness Award Winners are:

• Robert Baldwin, Motor State Distributing (Performance Warehouse Association (PWA) Award)
• Benjamin Bosworth, Pratt & Miller Engineering
• Eric Burnett, Holley Performance Products
• Andrew Clutter, A.R.E. Accessories, LLC (Light Truck Accessory Alliance (LTAA) Award)
• Calen Cussimanio, Nissan North America
• Collin Gentry, Meyer Distributing
• Robert Martin, Motor State Distributing/Lane Automotive (Performance Warehouse Association (PWA) Award)
• Gregory Masterson, Smart Inc. / Chemical Guys (Professional Restylers Organization (PRO) Award)
• Bryan Newman, Coker Tire (Young Executives Network (YEN) Award)
• Steven Reini, Pratt & Miller Engineering
• Michael Robins, Ford Racing/Ford Performance
• Jessica Smith-Tarry, Summit Racing Equipment
• Jordan Sneathen, SEMO Classic Mustang, Inc. (Walley Parks Award)

Congratulations to all 2015 award winners.  The online application for next year’s awards will be accepted November 1, 2015 through April 1, 2016 at www.sema.org/scholarships.