Carter Goettling, a marine technician apprentice at Blue Springs Marine in Blue Springs, Mo., and a full-time welding student at Metropolitan Community College, has been selected as the recipient of the third annual Marine Industry College Scholarship, announced the MRAA Educational Foundation. The scholarship was presented at the Marine Dealer Conference & Expo on Sunday evening, Dec. 9, during the Marine Retailers Association of the Americas Opening Night Awards Celebration at the Rosen Plaza Hotel in Orlando, Fla.
 
After completely rebuilding his family’s boat, Carter has worked toward a professional career within the marine industry. For the past three years, he has contributed to the success of Blue Springs Marine in many ways. He started in the service department as a Parts Associate and has since earned the title of Technician Apprentice.
 
The Marine Industry College Scholarship is made possible by the generosity of Priority One Financial Services, Global Marine Insurance Agency, and the MRAA Educational Foundation. It offers Retail Members of the Marine Retailers Association of the Americas, their employees, and their dependents the opportunity to apply for a $5,000 college scholarship to financially assist in the training and education of those working in or planning for a career in the marine industry.  For applicants to be considered for the scholarship, they must display a passion for the boating lifestyle, be preparing for or currently engaged in a career in the recreational boating business, and show evidence of enrollment in an accredited college, university or post-secondary technical school program.
 
In his scholarship application, Goettling shared his desire to continue his education after school and become a master technician. He wrote, “I have been a part of the marine industry for most of my life, and I hope that it continues to be a large part of the rest of my life.”
 
“If our industry wants to grow, we need to support the education of people like Carter who are pursuing careers in marine retailing,” says Stacy Greenwood of Cleveland Boat Center and the MRAA Educational Foundation Board of Directors. “We’ve seen what a difference this scholarship can make in the lives of our recipients, and we can’t wait to see how it propels Carter’s career.”