RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, N.C. – Three students have been selected as recipients of the first scholarships established in the memory of Larry W. McCurdy, chairman of the board of Affinia Group Inc., who passed away in August 2010. The first McCurdy scholarship recipients were selected from this year’s applicants at the Global Automotive Aftermarket Symposium (GAAS) Scholarship Web site, www.AutomotiveScholarships.com.

 

Each will receive a $2,500 award for the 2010-2011 academic year. The recipients are:

• Alexander Panin, Vancouver, Wash., a student at Eastern Washington University majoring in mechanical engineering. His career goal is to design electric vehicles.

• Zachary Rohde, Olathe, Kan., a student at the University of Kansas majoring in mechanical engineering. His career goal is to work for a vehicle or parts manufacturer.

Affinia Group Inc. established the memorial scholarship fund with the University of Aftermarket Foundation to honor McCurdy, who served as Affinia’s chairman since its inception in 2004. The fund will award three $2,500 scholarships per year to students in four-year programs preparing for aftermarket careers in engineering, business, accounting or other professional positions.

 

The GAAS Scholarship Committee has established a reviewer group for the 2011 McCurdy scholarships, which will be presented in May at the 2011 Global Automotive Aftermarket Symposium (GAAS). Applications are being accepted now at www.AutomotiveScholarships.com/McCurdy.

 

These most recent scholarships bring the total 2010 awards from the GAAS scholarship site to 139 students receiving 158 scholarships by the GAAS Scholarship fund, its contributors and other groups collaborating with the GAAS Scholarship Web site.

 

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. GAAS 2011 will be held Wednesday and Thursday, May 18 - 19, at the Hyatt Regency O’Hare, Chicago. For more information, visit www.globalsymposium.org.

 

The GAAS program is a joint professional education effort of the of the Alliance of State Automotive Aftermarket Associations (ASAAA), Automotive Aftermarket Industry Association (AAIA), Automotive Aftermarket Suppliers Association (AASA), Automotive Industries Association (AIA) of Canada, Automotive Parts Remanufacturers Association (APRA), Automotive Service Association (ASA), Automotive Warehouse Distributors Association (AWDA), Motorist Assurance Program (MAP), Motor & Equipment Manufacturers Association (MEMA), Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA), Tire Industry Association (TIA) and University of the Aftermarket. R. L. Polk & Co. is the corporate sponsor of the Global Automotive Aftermarket Symposium.