Mason Upperman has been chosen to receive the Mike Molino RV Learning Center scholarship for the academic year 2023-2024. Endowed through the Kindlund Family Foundation, the $2,500 award goes to a deserving RV industry employee or their dependent enrolled in undergraduate studies.
Darin Upperman, Mason’s father, is a master certified tech at Hartville RV Center in Hartville, Ohio. Upperman will be entering his junior year at Ohio University’s College of Business, where he is pursuing a dual major of management and information systems. He said his goal is to work at a public accounting firm in a large city and pursue his Certified Public Accounting credential. Upperman is carrying a 3.814 GPA in his undergraduate studies. He is a member of Pi Sigma Epsilon business fraternity.
“Congratulations to Mason as he pursues his career in America’s business community. His hard work is paying off in his classwork, and the Mike Molino RV Learning Center is proud that this scholarship can help him toward meeting his goals,” said Jeff Pastore, RV Learning Center chairman. “It is rewarding to know we can contribute to the future success of the family of one of our industry’s valued master certified technicians.”
The Kindlund family, which endowed the scholarship program with $270,000, remains active in the RV industry even after selling its corporation, Holiday RV Superstores, in 1999. Newt Kindlund serves as director emeritus on the RV Learning Center Board of Directors.
“This scholarship is one of the oldest in the industry and we are very proud to have established it over 20 years ago,” he said.
The Learning Center’s scholarship program recognizes deserving rising college sophomores, juniors and seniors. Applicants are judged on their current RV industry involvement or their plan to seek employment in the industry upon graduation, academic achievement, extracurricular activities and honors, financial need and a 500-word essay on their goals and objectives after college. The program has awarded $80,000 to 32 students since its inception in 2000.
The Mike Molino RV Learning Center is a resource for targeted publications, certification programs, online learning and live workshops – all designed exclusively for dealership staff. The professional development and educational resources offered by the Learning Center help dealers maintain professionalism and efficiency.
For more information about the RV Learning Center, click here.