The Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) Memorial Scholarship Fund has 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, company officials stated in a press release.
“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
Recipient (Institution, Major) – Award Designation (if applicable)
- 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
Recipient (Employer)
- 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)