The Mike Molino RV Learning Center awarded Roman Kortman with the Mike Molino RV Learning Center Scholarship for the 2024-2025 academic year.
Kortman is a sophomore at Spring Arbor University in Spring Arbor, Michigan. He is pursuing a major in business administration with a minor in entrepreneurship. He holds a 3.72 grade point average.
The $2,500 Learning Center scholarship is funded by the Kindlund Family Foundation. The award recognizes an RV industry employee or employee dependent enrolled in undergraduate studies.
Kortman grew up going camping. He has gained RV familiarity from his experience and his father, who has worked in the industry for 24 years.
“My dad also sparked my passion for this industry,” Kortman said, “because he has been in the RV industry for his entire professional career.”
Kortman plans to own a dealership combined with a campground.
“I believe that having dealerships around the country that are combined with a campground would allow for much greater customer service than a standard dealership or campground,” he said. “Being able to rent and test out an RV before buying would offer my customers an unparalleled buying experience.”
RVDA President Phil Ingrassia said, “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 awards rising college sophomores, juniors and seniors. Applicants are judged based on their current RV industry involvement or plans to seek industry employment and a 500-word essay on their post-college goals and objectives. Candidates are also judged based on their academic achievement, extracurricular activities/honors and financial need.
The program has awarded $82,500 to 33 students since its inception in 2000. The Kindlund family endowed the program with $270,000. The family remained active in the RV industry after selling its company, 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,” Kindlund said, “and we are very proud to have established it over 20 years ago.”
