Daytona Beach, Fla. (May 12, 2011) – NASCAR today announced the return of the NASCAR Wendell Scott Scholarship Program and the University of Central Florida, DeVos School of Management Scholarship.
For a second consecutive year, the NASCAR Wendell Scott Scholarship Program is funded in part by long-time NASCAR partner UPS. The program was established to provide financial support to deserving African-American and Hispanic students currently enrolled in college who are pursuing degrees in areas of study related to motorsports, including marketing, engineering and public relations.
The scholarship program is part of NASCAR Diversity Affairs’ integrated initiative that includes a scholarship program, mentorship program and summer internship program.
“We are continually seeking ways to further engage students as fans and as future employees of the sport,” said Marcus Jadotte, NASCAR vice president, public affairs and multicultural development. “The goal is to create permanent employment prospects for diverse college students entering the work force through viable, real-world opportunities.”
The NASCAR Wendell Scott Scholarship Program provides annual scholarships administered by the Hispanic Association of Colleges & Universities (HACU) and the United Negro College Fund (UNCF). In addition, NASCAR and UPS support a scholarship program for students attending the University of Central Florida, DeVos School of Management which offers a master’s program in sports management.
“UPS’s commitment to diversity extends beyond our workforce, and we’re excited to continue our support with NASCAR in this important initiative,” said Ron Rogowski, UPS vice president, global sponsorships & events.
The scholarships are based on the following award criteria:
§ 3.0 GPA requirement
§ Documented financial need
§ College juniors, seniors and graduate students with majors in: business, communications, engineering, mass media, public relations or technology
§ Participation in the NASCAR Diversity Internship Program (NDIP) is encouraged but not required
2010 UNCF NASCAR/UPS Wendell Scott Scholarship recipients:
· Dionna Shamecca Everett, Clafin University, Camden SC
· Barry Antoine Formey, Saint Augustine’s College, Raleigh, NC
· Latrice Rashon Levels, Huston-Tillotson University, Austin, TX
· Nerrissa Mitchell, Xavier University, New Orleans, LA
2010 HACU NASCAR/UPS Wendell Scott Scholarship recipients:
· Yesenia Arrovo, University of Central Florida, Orlando, FL
· Jocelyn Baez, Florida International University, Miami, FL
· Neida Ortiz, Florida International University, Miami, FL
· Vanessa Ramos, University of Central Florida, Orlando, FL
2010 University of Central Florida, DeVos School of Management Scholarship recipients:
· Caitlin Schneider, Class of 2011
· Cristina Ecks, Class of 2011
· Jesse Gardner, Class of 2011
· Kristin Hurst, Class of 2011
Facts about Wendell Scott
Wendell Scott was the first African American driver to win a NASCAR Cup race. He won in NASCAR’s premier series on Dec. 1, 1963, on a 1-mile dirt track in Jacksonville, Fla. Wendell Scott made 495 starts during his career and posted 147 top-10 finishes before retiring in 1973. Scott died in 1990. As part of an ongoing effort to recognize trailblazers in the sport, Wendell Scott was recognized during the Las Vegas Race the weekend of March 4-6, 2011, which coincided with the 50th anniversary of his first start – March 4, 1961 in Spartanburg, SC.
