AUTO JOURNALIST EXTRAORDINAIRE (and another Lithuanian!) Judy Stropus shares information from The Piston Foundation describing its awarding 20 scholarships for 2024 to aspiring auto restoration technicians. This brings the organization’s scholarship total to 53 students since the program’s inception in 2022. To date, Judy notes, 10 Piston Scholars have graduated from their programs and are now working in industry.
Here are tidbits about the Piston Foundation and its splendid work since its December 2020 founding.
A Laudatory Purpose. Robert P. Minnick says, “I founded the Piston Foundation as a national non-profit organization to give car enthusiasts, and the industry that serves them, a way to meet the needs of the collector car community. We have developed the tools to fund skilled-trade education that increases the number of technicians working to keep our collector cars on the road. We provide scholarships and apprenticeships that reduce financial barriers and make it easier for more students to choose careers in collector car services and restoration.”
Robert P. Minnick, founder and CEO—Piston Foundation.
As described in the organization’s Grant Platform, “The Piston Foundation is a 501(c)(3) public charity helping young people acquire the education and hands-on training to build a career in the collector car industry.”
Judy quotes Jeff Mason, President and COO of the foundation, “Each of these scholars is a bright and exciting talent with a passion for collector cars and the drive to learn the skills of automotive restoration. The Foundation, with the support of donors and partners, is eager to help these students on their journey through college and beyond.”
She continues, “Piston Scholars receive scholarships of up to $5,000, based on financial need. The scholarships help pay tuition at the automotive school of their choice. This can be any accredited two- or four-year institution.”
McPherson, a Familiar Institution. Foremost among the colleges and universities with specialities related to auto restoration is McPherson College, in McPherson, Kansas. I first learned of this college back in 2010, when the Mercedes-Benz Classic Center here in OC offered journalists driving adventures of cars with older three-pointed stars.
Four Mercedes-Benz, three of them with aft motors. From the left, 170 H Cabrio-Limousine, 150 Sport Roadster, a conventional 170S Cabriolet, and 130 Cabrio-Limousine.
It was there I chatted with Nate Lander, a McPherson graduate. Indeed, he and I swapped driving the only surviving Mercedes-Benz 150H Sport Roadster (the “H,” for Hackmotor, rear engine).
Nate exercises the 150H Sport Roadster.
Another Familiar Institution. I share with 2024 Piston Foundation Scholar Vincent Ramirez attendance at Worcester Poly. Back in my undergraduate days, we had a Tech Auto Club (which, I confess, didn’t exactly enhance my GPA but surely entertained my weekends). I trust Vincent is rather more of a scholar.
By the way, Judy Stropus notes, “Applications for Spring 2025 scholarships are open now at https://pistonfoundation.org/programs/piston-fund-automotive-scholarship/. Thanks, Judy. ds
© Dennis Simanaitis, SimanaitisSays.com, 2024