Roman Kortman, an employee of Woodland Airstream, has been selected to receive the Mike Molino RV Learning Center Scholarship for the 2024-2025 academic year. The $2,500 scholarship, endowed by the Kindlund Family Foundation, is awarded to individuals within the RV industry or their dependents who demonstrate academic excellence and commitment to the field.
Kortman, entering his sophomore year at Spring Arbor University, is majoring in business administration with a minor in entrepreneurship. He has maintained a 3.72 GPA and plans to pursue a career within the RV industry, inspired by his lifelong connection to RVs and the influence of his father, a 24-year veteran in the field.
Kortman shared that his passion for the RV industry began by spending his life around RVs and camping with family and friends every summer. His future goals include owning a dealership and a campground, which he believes would offer customers an experience by allowing them to rent and test RVs before purchasing.
RVDA President Phil Ingrassia praised Kortman, saying, “We are thrilled that the Mike Molino RV Learning Center College Scholarship has been awarded to a potential future leader in the RV industry. Roman’s hard work and determination is an encouraging sign for the future of our industry.”
The scholarship program, one of the oldest in the RV industry, was established by the Kindlund family, who endowed it with $270,000. Newt Kindlund, director emeritus of the RV Learning Center Board of Directors, highlighted the program’s significance, stating, “This scholarship is one of the oldest in the industry, and we are very proud to have established it over 20 years ago.”
Since its inception in 2000, the scholarship program has awarded $82,500 to 33 students. Applicants are evaluated based on their RV industry involvement, academic performance, extracurricular activities, financial need, and a 500-word essay outlining their post-college goals.
According to a press release, the Mike Molino RV Learning Center serves as a resource for dealership professionals, offering a range of educational materials and certification programs. Its services are designed to enhance professionalism and efficiency within RV dealerships through online learning, live workshops, and fixed operations certification.
Featured image by RVDA