SANTA FE, N.M. - The largest private scholarship fund in the state of New Mexico, the Davis New Mexico Scholarship, will send 18 first generation college students to outstanding universities with a full scholarship, according to an announcement today by the Davis New Mexico Scholarship and its founder, Andrew Davis. Over the next few years, this scholarship program plans to expand its giving to support 100 scholarships, and students statewide are encouraged to participate in college access programs and apply.
The 18 scholarship recipients will graduate this year from Santa Fe and Albuquerque high schools and attend one of five partner universities starting in the fall. The scholarship fund has selected these students because they are exemplary learners who have a strong desire to succeed. They qualified for the scholarship because they are among the first in their families to attend college, they are from low-income families, or both. The scholarship includes tuition, room and board, books, and travel.
"This is a momentous occasion and a very meaningful opportunity for New Mexican youth," said Andrew Davis. "Eighteen deserving students have been selected for this program, students who are scholars, leaders, self-starters, and have demonstrated very inspirational qualities. These students have earned their way into distinguished colleges, and we are pleased to offer each of them a scholarship to attend a selective and supportive university for four years."
These 2016 Davis New Mexico Scholars will be recognized for receiving the scholarships at a ceremony on May 11th at 5:30 PM at the Scottish Rite Temple in Santa Fe.
"Graduating from college will be a dream come true," said Maribel Martinez, a senior at Capital High School and a scholarship recipient. "When I receive my degree in business, I will prove that your social class determines neither your future nor your success. I want to be a role model for my younger siblings and for my community by obtaining a job where I will put my skills and talents to good use."
The students receiving the scholarships and their families will be at the celebratory event to accept their scholarships and tell their stories.
"This scholarship was created for young men and women who will be among the first members of their families to go to college," said Davis." These students have overcome adversity and shown themselves to be stellar students who will not stop until they have achieved their dreams of attending college. I am honored to be able to support the partner programs and partner colleges affiliated with the scholarship and most especially these exceptional young people. It's extremely exciting to give these scholars a chance to excel and show the world what New Mexican students can achieve."
The college access programs, AVID at Santa Fe Public Schools, Breakthrough Santa Fe, College Horizons, and Simon Scholars have successfully graduated these 18 students from their college prep programs, readying them for college academic and social life. In order to be eligible for the scholarship students must enroll in and complete one of the Davis partner college access programs.
"All schools in New Mexico are encouraged to start such a program or support existing programs so that their students might qualify for the scholarships," said Sam Ritter, Administrator of the Davis New Mexico Scholarship and Co-director of Breakthrough Santa Fe. "We hope to enlarge the pool of applicants and give students from all over the state a chance for this scholarship."
The scholarships are open to any student in the state who is enrolled in a college access program that partners with the scholarship, and the deadline for application is October every year. For more information about the scholarships, students and educators should visit www.breakthroughsantafe.org/davis.
The universities accepting students from this scholarship program are University of Denver, St. Edward's University in Austin, Southwestern University in Texas, the University of Portland in Oregon, and Loyola Marymount University in Los Angeles.
"We value tremendously our partnership with the Davis New Mexico Scholarship," said Todd Rinehart, Associate Vice Chancellor and Director of Admissions at the University of Denver. "The funding they provide is life-changing for the students, but it goes much deeper than the scholarship. The dedicated staff members care about these students on a personal level, ensuring their success not only through the admission and enrollment process, but also encouraging and mentoring students to persist and graduate. This is a true model of college access."
The annual $5 million contribution for the scholarships comes from the Shelby Cullom Davis Charitable Fund, and the scholarships support the students for the full four years of college. This scholarship is considered to be the largest private scholarship for New Mexico students in the state.
Media is welcome to the event and the reception.