Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association
1 NW OOIDA Drive, Grain Valley, MO  64029
Web site: www.ooida.com
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Contact: Norita Taylor, norita_taylor@ooida.com 
Headquarters: (816) 229-5791

For Immediate Release

OOIDA scholarship program announces selection of year 2001 OOIDA scholars

(Grain Valley, Mo., July 1, 2001) – The Owner Operator Independent Drivers Association, Inc. (OOIDA) is pleased to announce the winners of the 2001 OOIDA Scholarships. The OOIDA scholarship committee selected these four scholars from among applicants across the country.  All applicants wrote a 500 word essay titled, "Discuss the Pros and Cons of the topic: The impact of the Truck Industry on my Life and Academic Career."

OOIDA scholarships are available for children, grandchildren, and legal dependents of OOIDA members.

The OOIDA scholars for the 2001 school year are:

	Janine Smeltz is the daughter of member R. Dixon Smeltz, Herndon, PA. Janine is enrolled at Juniata College where she plans to major in accounting. $1,000 scholarship award.
	Clifton Howard Smith is the son of Randy A. Smith, Lincolton, NC. Clifton graduated from the North Carolina State University and is currently enrolled in the Campbell University School of Law in Buies Creek, NC. $1,000 scholarship award.
	Martin G. Chabot, son of Geoffrey W. Chabot, Kalispell, MI., is enrolled at Carooll College and plans to major in math/engineering. $500 scholarship award.
	Charlie Chapman, son of member Ronald Chapman, Oelwein, IA., is enrolled at Hawkeye Community College where he plans to study Diesel Mechanics. $500 scholarship award.

(Pictures are available in .JPG digital format upon request)

The OOIDA Foundation, Inc. Scholarship Program has been assisting the children, grandchildren and legal dependents of OOIDA members in their efforts to gain a higher education since 1998. The students are selected in a blind evaluation conducted by the Scholarship Advisory Committee.

Awarded scholarships are renewable for three (3) additional years.  Tax-deductible donations to the OOIDA Scholarship Program can be sent to the OOIDA Foundation, Inc., 1 NW OOIDA Drive, Grain Valley, Missouri 64029.

OOIDA, the international trade association of professional owner-operators and drivers, is headquartered in Grain Valley, Missouri.  Small business truckers represent nearly half of the total class 7 and 8 trucks operated in the U.S.

Founded in 1973, the Owner Operator Independent Drivers Association (OOIDA) is comprised of more than 162,000 owner-operators, professional drivers, and small business truckers from all 50 states, and Canada.  OOIDA represents the interests of this nation's more than 350,000 small business trucking professionals in the legislative and regulatory processes at both federal and state levels.

1 NW OOIDA Dr.
Grain Valley, MO 64029
e-mail: ooida@ooida.com
Website: ooida.com

Fax (816) 427-4468
Local (816) 229-5791
Toll Free (800) 444-5791

OOIDA Foundation Scholarship Program