SOUTHLAKE, Texas – The Association of Finance & Insurance Professionals (AFIP) announced that Ryan Cole, a senior in the Automotive Marketing and Management program at Northwood University in Midland, Michigan, was named the Jakob Murray Lange Memorial Scholarship winner for 2015. Cole was selected for the award based on his exemplary achievement as an intern with General Motors in Detroit in the summer of 2014.

According to Ed Peper, vice president, GM Fleet and Commercial, “We were so impressed with Ryan and his work as an intern at GM Fleet and Commercial, we took the opportunity to hire him to begin working at GM immediately after he graduates.”

Cole will graduate in May 2015.

While at Northwood, he served as the Automotive Group president and the domestic chair of the 50th Annual Northwood Auto Show. He also completed internships at ADP in 2013 and Manheim Auto Auctions in 2012.

“I received feedback from Manheim, ADP and GM regarding Ryan’s dedication, passion and work ethic during his summer internships,” said Elgie Bright, department chair, Automotive Marketing. “I look forward to seeing what the future holds for this young man as he navigates the exciting twists and turns of the automotive industry.”

Christina Robertson, AFIP’s corporate counsel and director of education, presented the award at the Northwood University Dealer Education Awards breakfast in San Francisco last month. In addition to the scholarship funds, Cole will receive a crystalline obelisk in recognition of his achievement. A plaque recognizing the scholarship recipients is on display in the NADA building on the Northwood University campus. Cole is from Athens, Georgia, and is the son of Greg and Cindi Cole.

Dealer management students at Northwood complete the AFIP certification program as part of their coursework. The certification curriculum provides a working knowledge of the federal and state regulations that apply to in-dealership financial services activities.