Education Foundation - About the Education Foundation: News: 2005 Press Release

I-CAR EDUCATION FOUNDATION AND AKZO NOBEL'S "THE MOST INFLUENTIAL WOMEN OF THE COLLISION REPAIR INDUSTRY" OFFER SCHOLARSHIPS

HOFFMAN ESTATES, IL – October 4, 2005– For the third consecutive year, the I-CAR Education Foundation, in conjunction with Akzo Nobel Coatings Inc. and "The Most Influential Women of the Collision Repair Industry," is proud to announce an exciting scholarship opportunity for female collision repair students.

In order to promote both the increasing importance of a skilled and educated workforce as well as recognizing the increasing leadership roles and growing opportunities for women in the industry, Akzo Nobel Coatings Inc. has established the "Most Influential Women of the Collision Repair Industry" program. This program annually recognizes the leadership contributions that are made by a unique group of individuals that have dedicated themselves to the betterment of this industry and their communities.

On behalf of "The Most Influential Women of the Collision Repair Industry," Akzo Nobel Coatings Inc. has chosen to donate funds to the I-CAR Education Foundation for scholarships so that additional opportunities might be created for women in the collision repair industry. Applicants for the scholarships that are attending a secondary school must be a senior that is in a collision repair training class with plans to continue their education in the collision repair industry after graduation. Applicants from post-secondary schools must be enrolled in training programs relevant to collision repair. The monies will be paid for post-secondary education or to attend training programs offered by I-CAR.

This year there will be two $5,000 winners; one winner from a secondary school and one winner from a post-secondary school. In addition, there will be six $2,000.00 runner-up scholarships. The Education Foundation will announce the winners at NACE this November. The I-CAR Education Foundation, founded in 1991, is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to improving the quality of entry-level employees for the collision industry.

A total of 331 career and technical schools and colleges that are ASE certified to the NATEF standards received a letter and student applications for this scholarship. Both the student applicants and instructors will submit an application and a short essay explaining why the students should be awarded the scholarship.

Ron Ray, Executive Director of the Education Foundation added "It is a pleasure to administer this scholarship program for Akzo Nobel and reward these talented, future female collision industry employees."

The Executive Committee of the Education Foundation's Board of Trustees will make the final selection of winners. The Executive Committee consists of:

Chairman		Clark Plucinski, True2Form Collision Repair Centers
Vice Chairman		Paul J. Huber, Allstate Insurance Company
Secretary		Sharon Merwin, CCAR
Treasurer		Chris Evans, State Farm Mutual Automobile Insurance
Trustee-at-Large		Rick Jazwin, UTI
Immediate Past-Chairman		Brian Whitcomb, General Motors Corporation

The I-CAR Education Foundation, founded in 1991, is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to improving the quality of entry-level employees for the collision industry.