Students gathered at the 2022 Scholarship Party.

Grantee Stories – Scholarship Program

Students gathered at the 2022 Scholarship Party.

Albuquerque Community Foundation’s scholarship selection committees awarded 94 scholarships from 25 endowment funds in 2022, assisting students with scholarships or financial aid awards for the 2022-2023 school year. Open to New Mexico residents, scholarships and awards were available for in-state and out-of-state, two and four year institutions or trade schools. Some awards were one-time while others are renewable. Individual awards ranged from $500 to $10,000 and in total, more than $165,000 was awarded.

Recognizing the increasing cost of higher education, Foundation staff met with donors to encourage fewer but more substantial awards. In keeping with trust-based philanthropy principles, the application process was reviewed with an eye toward making it more equitable. As a result, and when appropriate to the terms of the scholarship, applicants are no longer required to submit standardized test results
or grade point averages, proof of citizenship or financial forms, none of which are necessarily good indicators of future success.

In 2022, a new scholarship was established in memory of Douglas Faust Blackledge, an Air Force veteran and 1988 graduate of Manzano High School (”MHS”). This namesake program recognizes one graduating senior from the school’s boys varsity soccer team and one graduating senior from the varsity wrestling team. Blackledge played fullback for the MHS soccer team that won the New Mexico State Championship in 1987. He was also a three-year varsity letterman on the school’s wrestling team. After graduating, Blackledge earned a BS in electrical engineering from the U.S. Air Force Academy and went on to 22 years of service, including instructing pilots in the 58th Special Operations Wing at Kirtland Air Force Base.

Andrew Piech Memorial Scholarship for graduating high school seniors or current college students who are pursuing a career in the automotive or vocational tech fields

Barnes W. Rose Jr., and Eva Rose Nickol Scholarship for Albuquerque High School students pursuing a college degree in the fields of science, technology, engineering, or math

Bryan Cline Memorial Soccer Scholarship for one male and one female Eldorado High School graduating senior who participated in varsity soccer Carl F. Scott Scholarship for Tucumcari Lodge #27 A.F. & A.M. for Quay County students graduating high school or currently enrolled in college

David R. Woodling Memorial Scholarship for students pursuing a career in metal technology or welding technology

Davis-Kozoll Scholarship for high school, undergraduate, and graduate students pursuing a degree in science or human services, or those who are preparing for non-scientific or human service employment in communities of northwest New Mexico

Douglas Faust Blackledge Memorial Scholarship for Manzano High School boys varsity soccer players and members of the varsity wrestling team.

Hakes Brothers Scholarship Fund for single parents studying within the fields of science, technology, engineering, math (STEM), medical, accounting at the University of New Mexico

James Knott Memorial Scholarship Fund Sponsored by the New Mexico Manufactured Housing Association for students living in a mobile or manufactured home

James Ledwith Memorial Scholarship for students who have faced an extraordinary life challenge while continuing to pursue their dreams with hope, faith, and courage

Jim and Ann Nelson Student Aid Fund for Foster Youth Scholarship Fund for high school or college students who have been in the New Mexico foster care system for a minimum of one year

Joe "Isi" Trujillo Scholarship for a graduating senior from Hot Springs High School in Truth or Consequences, NM who will be attending a New Mexico public college, university, or community college

Kiwanis Club of Albuquerque Scholarship for students with community service experience; preference is given to students studying early childhood development and/or teaching and those who participate in Key Club

Lynn Scholarship Fund

Manuel Lujan Excellence in Education Scholarship for graduating high school seniors of 24 designated high schools, who plan to continue their education full-time at a New Mexico four-year College or University

Nina J. Wing Scholarship for students who were previously in the foster care system and are currently attending or plan on attending Central New Mexico Community College

Pedro and Mateo Sandoval-Strong Memorial Scholarship for Moriarty High School graduating seniors who are community-oriented and engaged in extracurricular activities

Rae Lee Siporin Scholarship for Women for those who are returning to college or university after an official break and are returning to complete their senior year of their first undergraduate degree

Robby Baker Memorial Scholarship for La Cueva High School students with a learning, language, or reading disability

Ron and Jane Abramshe Scholarship for Native North American Indian Students for Native North American Indian students to support educational programs and scholarly pursuits

Susie Kubié Symphonic Music Scholarship for students who participate in the Albuquerque Youth Symphony Program who plan on pursuing a music-related degree

Sussman-Miller Educational Assistance Fund for financial aid assistance to support the “gap” in student financial aid award packages

The Pam Schneider Memorial Scholarship Presented by American Advertising Federation of New Mexico for students pursuing a degree in the field of marketing and communication

Trythall Family Scholarship for Excellence in Continuing Education for students working a minimum of 20 hours per week while attending undergraduate or vocational school to help further their career goals

William F. Mann Scholarship for graduating high school seniors with a strong community service background, preference is given to Albuquerque High School students

Women in Rhetoric and Logic Scholarship for graduating Albuquerque Academy female students participating in debate and pursuing a college degree

Woodcock Family Education Scholarship Fund for Albuquerque metro-area high school graduating seniors of exceptional promise in the fields of science, technology, engineering, and math