New Mexico State University will celebrate a $400,000 gift from the Burrell College of Osteopathic Medicine, shown here, with a special livestreamed virtual “check-passing” event at 3 p.m. Monday, April 13. (Photo courtesy Burrell College of Osteopathic Medicine)Many employees and students at both New Mexico State University and the Burrell College of Osteopathic Medicine have shifted to working and learning online, but the work of both institutions continues at full speed – including the public-private partnership that connects them and supports pathways for students to become health care professionals in the region.

NMSU will celebrate the fourth annual gift from the Burrell College in support of the Burrell College of Osteopathic Medicine Endowed Scholarship at NMSU with a special livestreamed virtual "check-passing" event at 3 p.m. Monday, April 13.

The announcement of the $400,000 gift – part of an ongoing partnership agreement between the universities – brings the total donated by the Burrell College to the NMSU Foundation to $1.15 million.

The broadcast can be viewed live on the NMSU Alumni and Friends Facebook page, at https://www.facebook.com/NMSUAlumFriends/.

The scholarship, which is administered by the NMSU Foundation, supports freshman New Mexico residents with financial need who are part of the Osteopathic Medicine Pathway Program at the Las Cruces campus. Students who maintain at least a 3.5 grade-point average can continue to receive the scholarship throughout their undergraduate degree.

"The NMSU Foundation values our long-term relationship with the Burrell College of Osteopathic Medicine," said NMSU Foundation President Derek Dictson. "This generous gift will support generations of students who aspire to impact the health and well-being of people in our community, state and region."

So far, the scholarship has supported eight students, including Andrea De Santiago Guzman, who said growing up in El Paso exposed her to the poor conditions that her community and many Americans across the country are facing.

"I have personally witnessed our medical and developmental necessities," she said. "I wish to connect with my community through these needs. My experiences have helped me decide on a career path that will not only be rewarding for me, but also for my community and everyone I am able to help."

Burrell College Co-Founder and President John L. Hummer said the annual gifts underscore the medical school's commitment to developing a pipeline of students pursuing medical and health careers to serve the region in the years to come.

"I am pleased to present our largest gift yet to the NMSU Foundation in support of pre-medical student scholarships," Hummer said. "We hope these scholarships can help relieve the financial burden of pursuing an undergraduate education and that they inspire NMSU students to continue to work hard to achieve their dreams of becoming physicians."

NMSU Chancellor Dan Arvizu said each gift helps ensure more students earn degrees at NMSU that increase their career opportunities and their readiness to join the rigorous and critical health care workforce.

"The Burrell College of Osteopathic Medicine is an asset to our region," Arvizu said. "As recent events have shown, the need for well-trained medical professionals has never been greater. This need is especially true in many of our underserved communities. That's why we're proud to work with the Burrell College to ensure we have the doctors needed to keep everyone healthy."

For more information about the NMSU Foundation, visit https://support.nmsu.edu. For more information about the Burrell College of Osteopathic Medicine, visit https://bcomnm.org.