The Global Automotive Aftermarket Symposium (GAAS) Scholarship Committee announces that the Kentucky/Indiana Automotive Wholesalers Association (KIAWA) will be collaborating in creating an online scholarship resource for students planning to pursue careers in the automotive aftermarket.

Applicants at the automotive scholarships Web site will now be placed in consideration for the George W. Wilson III and KIAWA scholarship named in honor of the first president of KIAWA who served from 1959-1994.

“We are pleased to have KIAWA join us in creating this valuable resource for students, and promoting this investment in our industry’s future,” says Pete Kornafel, chairman of the GAAS Scholarship Selection Committee.

“We are extremely pleased to be collaborating with GAAS in this educational opportunity that will not only enhance KIAWA scholarship program, but will provide scholarships to more students who may not be aware of what is available,” says Kim Rominger, executive director, KIAWA.

In 2008, a total of 150 students were awarded 170 scholarships by the GAAS scholarship fund, its contributors and other groups collaborating with GAAS. Individual scholarships ranged from $250 to $2,000 and more than $165,000 was awarded. In its 14-year history, the GAAS scholarship fund has presented more than $1.4 million in awards to approximately 1,400 students.

The annual investment to develop future automotive aftermarket industry leaders is funded through proceeds from the annual Global Automotive Aftermarket Symposium. Additional funding comes from:

• Art Fisher Memorial Scholarship Fund
• Automotive Communications Council Scholarships (ACC)
• ASC Industries Inc.
• ASE / Michael Busch Memorial Scholarships
• Breslow Foundation Scholarships
• Leadership Development Network of AAIA (LDN)
• R.L. Polk & Co.
• Udell Family Charitable Foundation
• University of the Aftermarket Foundation
• Zurich

An additional 55 scholarships were awarded by the following organizations

• AAACT – Automotive Aftermarket Association of the Carolinas and Tennessee (regional association for residents of North and South Carolina and Tennessee)
• AAAS – Automotive Aftermarket Association Southeast (regional association for residents of Alabama, Georgia, and Mississippi)
• ADS - Association of Diesel Specialists
• APSA – Automotive Parts & Services Association (regional association for residents of Arkansas, Colorado, Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Texas and Wyoming)
• APSA of IL – Automotive Parts and Service Association of Illinois (regional association for residents of Illinois)
• CAWA – California/Arizona/Nevada Automotive Wholesaler’s Association (regional association for residents of Arizona, California and Nevada)
  
• OVAAA - Ohio Valley Automotive Aftermarket Association (regional association for residents of Ohio and West Virginia)

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.

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 2009 event is set for Wednesday and Thursday, May 6-7, at the Hyatt Regency O'Hare in Chicago. Details are at www.globalsymposium.org.