SEMA awards nearly $100,000 to students and recent graduates

The Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) Memorial Scholarship Fund has proudly awarded $99,500 in scholarships and loan-forgiveness awards to 50 individuals this year. The recipients include current students pursuing careers in the automotive industry and employees of SEMA-member companies.

The SEMA Memorial Scholarship Fund is dedicated to helping the future generation of automotive industry leaders get a head start in their careers and current industry professionals lower their student debt.

“This year’s scholarship recipients embody the innovative spirit, relentless drive, and unwavering passion the industry needs for future growth,” said Jose Escobar, SEMA project manager of recognition programs. “Their applications not only highlighted their unique stories and accomplishments but also reinforced that the future of the industry is in great hands.”

The SEMA Memorial Scholarship Fund has awarded over $3 million since its inception in 1984. The application for next year’s awards will open in January 2026 at www.sema.org/scholarships.

SEMA Scholarship Award Winners

Alex Anthony (Colorado State University-Fort Collins, Mechanical Engineering) – Joe Hrudka Award
Zachary Been (Oklahoma State University-Main Campus, Mechanical Engineering) – Dan Borré Award
Benjamin Carter (University of Alabama, Mechanical Engineering)
Mason Cox (McPherson College, Automotive Restoration) – ARMO Award
Carter Cygan (Kansas State University, Mechanical Engineering)
Salvador Diaz-Santos (Allan Hancock College, Automotive Technician) – Melvin Burton Award
Tara Feeney (McPherson College, Automotive)
Jacob Gubin (University of Wisconsin-Madison, Mechanical Engineering)
Angel Gutierrez Saavedra (East Los Angeles College, Automation Technology)
Vincent Hobart (Pittsburg State University, Education) – FLN Award
Andrew Hoppen (University of North Carolina at Charlotte, Mechanical Engineering) – Wally Parks Award
Robert Jacobs (Belmont Abbey College, Automotive) – Nat Danas Award
LeeRoy Jenkins (Harvard University, Biology) – Steve Woomer Award
Evan Jezek (Central Piedmont Community College, Welding)
Kaitlyn Kreeger (Purdue University-Main Campus, Mechanical Engineering)
Gabriella Kuebler (University of Akron Main Campus, Mechanical Engineering Technology) – ETTN Award
Emma Lumpkin (Georgia Institute of Technology-Main Campus, Mechanical Engineering) – PRO Award
Marshall McClain (Belmont Abbey College, Motorsport Management) – Mike Kunzman Award
Cade McCullough (Clemson University, Automotive Engineering & Technology) – TORA Award
Michael McGuire (Brigham Young University-Provo, Mechanical Engineering)
Fletcher Meadows (Clemson University, Automotive Engineering & Technology)
Loris Mucciante (Long Beach City College, Mechanical Engineering) – HRIA Award
Bethany Myers (Jefferson Community and Technical College, Automotive)
Nikki Novick (Duquesne University, Journalism)
Chiara Ortiz (Georgia Institute of Technology-Main Campus, Mechanical Engineering) – Bernie Karp Award
Chase Palm (Augustana College, Marketing)
Bryce Parish (LeTourneau University, Mechanical Engineering) – WTSBC Award
Nicole Pasterski (Indiana State University, Automotive Technology)
Adi Patel (University of Texas at Austin, Architectural Engineering) – Jim A. Borré Award
James Pounders (Colorado State University-Fort Collins, Business, Management)
Elliot Rahman (Southern Illinois University-Carbondale, Automotive Technology)
Kristy Rubino (Southern Illinois University-Carbondale, Automotive Technology) – SBN Award
Owen Scott (University of the Pacific, Mechanical Engineering)
Elle Scranton (California State University-Fullerton, Business, Management) – K&N Engineering Award
Hadley Smith (Clemson University, Automotive Engineering & Technology) – Leo Kagan Award
Ainsley Stephenson (Colorado School of Mines, Mechanical Engineering)
Alyssa Sullivan (Seward County Community College, Autobody Collision)
John Thrash (WyoTech, Diesel and Heavy Equipment Technician)
Jase Wanamaker (Cedarville University, Sports, Recreation, & Leisure Studies) – Harlan Felder Award
Kaliah Watkins (California State Polytechnic University-Pomona, Mechanical Engineering) – Trudy Thompson Award

SEMA Loan Forgiveness Award Winners

Grayson Bond (Diode Dynamics, LLC)
Zachary Dosey (Daifuku)
Ian Johnson (Aftermarket Performance Express, Apex Wheels)
Caecey Killian (Power Automedia)
Teresa Lang (Stellantis)
Kim Long Le (Mod In Japan)
Morgan Main (Yanfeng Automotive Interiors)
Sarah Sawda (Coats Company)
Nicolaus Wolfrum (Jim's Automotive Machine Shop, Inc.)
Gunnar Wulff (Edelbrock Group)

ABOUT SEMA

The Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) serves as a leading voice for the worldwide car culture, representing over 7,000 member companies that create, buy, sell, and use specialty-automotive parts that make vehicles more unique, attractive, convenient, safer, fun, and even like new again. Business member benefits include product development resources, market research, networking, education, legislative advocacy, and more. The Association organizes the annual SEMA Show in Las Vegas, Nev., and actively supports the career and business opportunities that the aftermarket generates. The industry contributes nearly $337 billion in economic impact to the U.S. economy, supports 1.3 million jobs nationally, and generates $52.3 billion in parts sales annually. For more information, visit www.sema.org.

Tagged: automotive industry leaders

2025 SEMA Scholarship and Loan Forgiveness Award Winners Announced