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NAMAD and EFG Companies Announce 2nd Annual Northwood University Scholarship Recipients

Scholarship Recipient: Norma Benavides
Norma Benavides

Northwood Students Norma Benavides and Isabelle Daoud Selected Based on Academic Merit, Leadership and Dedication

EFG Companies, the innovator behind the award-winning Hyundai Assurance program, together with the National Association of Minority Automobile Dealers (NAMAD), announced today that Northwood University students Norma Benavides and Isabelle Daoud are the recipients of the annual NAMAD Private Donor Scholarship. The annual scholarship will fund the remainder of Benavides’ and Daoud’s four-year tuition while they attend the Automotive Marketing and Management Program at Northwood University, representing an investment of up to $200,000 from EFG.

Scholarship Recipient Norma Benavides

A senior at Northwood University, Norma Benavides, from Laredo, Texas, grew up with first-hand experience of dealership operations through her father’s independent dealership. In her previous three years at Northwood, she has held the Public Relations Chair for the Northwood University Auto Show, as well as the Chair of the Distinguished Women Event for the university’s Signature Events Team. Benavides has made the Dean’s List every semester, and has received the Association of Finance & Insurance Professionals certification.

“This scholarship perfectly fits my career aspirations, as well as my background,” said Benavides. “My career goal is to one day become an automotive dealer and operate a dealership. I have learned that this career has many challenges, but with perseverance and passion it can be rewarding.”

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NAMAD and EFG Companies Announce First Annual Northwood University Scholarship Recipient

Northwood Sophomore, Javante Dilworth Selected Based on Scholastic Merit, Leadership & Fortitude

northwood_university_logoEFG Companies, the innovator behind the award-winning Hyundai Assurance program, together with the National Association of Minority Automobile Dealers (NAMAD), selected Javante Dilworth as the recipient for their Northwood University private donor scholarship.

The annual NAMAD scholarship will fund the remainder of Dilworth’s four-year tuition while he attends the Automotive Management Program at Northwood University, representing an investment of up to $100,000 from EFG. Dilworth is currently enrolled at Northwood pursuing a bachelor’s degree in Automotive Marketing and Management, and will be entering his sophomore year this fall.

Namad“When I first found out that I was the recipient of the NAMAD Scholarship I was amazed and overfilled with joy,” said Javante Dilworth, sophomore, Automotive Marketing & Finance, Northwood University.  This is really important to me because it opens up opportunities that are not always available.  It is truly a great blessing.

Dilworth was raised by his mother in Detroit, Michigan, and was accepted to Northwood based upon academic merit, without family or dealership connections. During his first year of matriculation, his mother was tragically taken from him. This thrust Dilworth into a very adult situation in which he quickly learned how to provide for himself. Throughout the year, he sought out various projects, volunteer opportunities and jobs on campus, including Northwood’s 2014 phone-a-thon, where he consistently demonstrated maturity for his age and strong leadership. Despite the challenge of losing his mother and having to support himself, Dilworth maintained a 3.0 GPA.

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EFG Companies and NAMAD Announce Northwood University Scholarship

Shaping Future Leadership Opportunities and Success for
Minorities in the Retail Automotive Industry 

EFG Companies, the innovator behind the award-winning Hyundai Assurance program, and the National Association of Minority Automobile Dealers (NAMAD), today announced the establishment of an annual, private donor scholarship that will fund the four-year tuition of a minority student attending the Automotive Marketing and Management Program at Northwood University

The annual scholarship, funded by EFG Companies, will be awarded each year to a freshman entering the program, and represents a four year investment of $100,000 per student.  Applicants will be identified through NAMAD’s membership, they must satisfy NAMAD affiliation requirements, and will be reviewed based upon both academic merit and financial need.

“At NAMAD, we seek to ensure the presence of a meaningful representative of minority entrepreneurs and employees in the automotive retail sales, supplier and service sectors” said Damon Lester, NAMAD President. “Our partner, EFG Companies, has a successful history of innovation and clearly recognizes the vital role minority dealers play in the industry. Together, we will provide a greater means to impact future leadership opportunities and success for minorities.”

“It is truly an honor for EFG to bring two stalwart partners together in the form of NAMAD and Northwood to join us in affecting meaningful progress in one of the most critical industries in America,” said John Pappanastos, President and CEO, EFG Companies. “We’ve seen in just this year alone that the rate of change in which dealers are operating is only increasing.  We feel we have a personal responsibility to bring diverse ideas and the brightest minds to the table so the industry may achieve maximum potential.”

“At Northwood University, one of our greatest distinctions is the personalized attention we offer each student to prepare them as leaders, not just professionals” said Keith Pretty, President and CEO, Northwood University. “Northwood has a strong minority student population, and this scholarship bolsters our efforts to ensure all students are afforded the opportunity to drive innovation and succeed in the retail automotive marketplace.”

The NAMAD scholarship will be available to students applying for the 2015-2016 school year. Scholarship applications and guides to scholarships currently being offered are available on the Northwood University website after December 1, 2014. http://www.northwood.edu/financial-aid/scholarships-and-grants.aspx