Zac Winstead, Dan Corey, and Bryan Jenkins

The Highwaymen Automotive Scholarship was created to assist future students to continue their journey through the Southern Illinois University Automotive Technology program while forming life-long friendships along the way.

At a young age each of us found our own unique way into the automotive industry. Whether it was through repairing lawn and garden equipment, overhauling a go-kart, or rebuilding an old farm truck it was, and always will be in our blood. We hope the students of today have a similar passion for the automotive industry which, if not for Southern Illinois, may have well been nothing more than a hobby for many of us. It is our belief a successful life is not an entitlement rather it is built on solid foundation of strategic planning, optimistic outlooks, extra effort, higher education and strong friendships. We have created this scholarship to help others achieve their dreams in the automotive industry.

The Highwaymen supergroup was made up of Johnny Cash, Waylon Jennings, Willie Nelson and Kris Kristofferson. They released their smash hit song, “Highwayman,” in May of 1985. Each of us had a particular draw to one of the group members, and we would regularly attend karaoke night at the Key West Bar & Grill on Main St. making vain attempts at perfecting our rendition. We never really perfected anything other than emptying plastic pitchers, but that was the beginning of life-long friendships. Today we all landed in southeast Michigan and remain friends today. We hope this scholarship will help enable others to continue on a similar journey.

Zac Winstead (Class of 2001)
Dan Corey (Class of 2000/02 M.Ed.)
Bryan Jenkins (Class of 2001)