SCOTTSDALE, Ariz., Jan. 4, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- A San Diego-area student is starting the New Year with considerably less financial stress.  Brendan Cotter, a student at Universal Technical Institute in Rancho Cucamonga, is one of two nationwide recipients of the Roger Penske Outstanding Student Award as selected by the Universal Technical Institute Foundation.

The $12,000 scholarship is awarded twice a year to two top students who meet certain criteria, including exceptional attendance, instructor endorsements, volunteerism and outstanding academic performance. Brian Hay, a student at NASCAR Technical Institute in Mooresville, N.C., is the other recipient of the award.

"Words can't even describe it," Cotter, 34, said. "I don't know what to say. I'm blown away. I feel very fortunate."

Cotter, a new father and former high school teacher, would have had to apply for loans or pay cash for the remainder of his diesel program education at UTI had it not been for the handsome scholarship.

Even with the birth of his first child, Cotter achieved 100 percent attendance, a 4.0 GPA and was named Student of Course 15 times.  Finalists for the award need to display high academic achievement, have a record as a team player and supporter of his/her fellow students and at least one Student of Course honor. 

"Brendan Cotter is such a deserving recipient of the Penske scholarship," Veronica Meury, the UTI Foundation's vice president and executive director, said. "He truly exemplifies the type of outstanding students the award was designed to recognize."

The Roger Penske Outstanding Student Award is presented twice a year.  In addition to the two $12,000 scholarships, the other 10 campus finalists are each given a $500 cash award.

About the UTI Foundation

The UTI Foundation, a 501(c)(3) Arizona nonprofit, is the umbrella organization for all Universal Technical Institute, Inc. (NYSE: UTI) not-for-profit initiatives and is dedicated to raising funds to further its mission and strategic goals. The UTI Foundation supports technical education for the automotive, diesel, collision repair, motorcycle, marine and NASCAR industries through scholarships, grants, career development and other special programs.

About Universal Technical Institute, Inc.:

Headquartered in Scottsdale, Arizona, Universal Technical Institute, Inc. (NYSE: UTI) is the leading provider of post-secondary education for students seeking careers as professional automotive, diesel, collision repair, motorcycle and marine technicians. With more than 150,000 graduates in its 46-year history, UTI offers undergraduate degree, diploma and certificate programs at 11 campuses across the United States, as well as manufacturer-specific training programs at dedicated training centers. Through its campus-based school system, UTI provides specialized post-secondary education programs under the banner of several well- known brands, including Universal Technical Institute (UTI), Motorcycle Mechanics Institute and Marine Mechanics Institute (MMI) and NASCAR Technical Institute (NTI). To learn more about UTI and its training services, log on to www.uti.edu .

About Roger S. Penske

Roger S. Penske is Chairman of Penske Corporation, a closely-held, on-highway, diversified transportation services company whose subsidiaries operate in a variety of industry segments, including retail automotive, truck leasing, transportation logistics, transportation component manufacturing and professional motorsports. Penske Corporation manages businesses that employ more than 36,000 people in over 1,800 locations worldwide.

Media Contact:
Universal Technical Institute Foundation
Lisa Nicita
602-980-4441
[email protected]

SOURCE Universal Technical Institute Foundation