News Release

Aug. 21, 2002

PNM Awards $1,000 Scholarships to 12 Hispanic Students

PNM NEWS News releases Financial news Contact PNM

NEWS MEDIA CONTACT Susan Sponar Telephone: (505) 241-2768

Albuquerque: PNM has recognized the efforts and abilities of 12 Hispanic college students, awarding each a $1,000 scholarship.

The recipients of the PNM Hispanic Heritage Scholarship are all Hispanic New Mexico residents enrolled in or accepted to study at an accredited college, university, community college or vocational school in New Mexico. Many have overcome adversity in order to pursue an education. This year’s recipients include:

• Ane Cristal Romero of Las Vegas, a student at New Mexico Highlands University majoring in political science.
• Samuel Gutierrez of Ribera, who is studying computer science for a master’s degree at New Mexico Tech.
• Maxine Cordova of Albuquerque, who is in her second year at Albuquerque Technical Vocational Institute, where she is studying social work.
• Reina Valencia of Bernalillo, who will enter TVI this month as a nursing student.
• David Padilla of Albuquerque, an architecture student at the University of New Mexico.
• Veronica R. Abeyta of Ranchos de Taos, who will use her scholarship to study toward a cosmetology license.
• Elena Madrid of Las Cruces, who is studying journalism at New Mexico State University.
• Joseph C. Gordon of Albuquerque, who will be working on a bachelor’s degree at Highlands.
• Esther Elizabeth Rigney of Clovis, who hopes to complete her degree in sociology and Spanish at Eastern New Mexico University.
• Lizbeth Sánchez of Las Cruces, a graduate student at NMSU who plans to teach Spanish.
• Amanda Sanchez of Albuquerque, who will be a first-year law student at UNM this fall.
• Laura Alonzo dé Franklin of Belen, who will be working on her master’s degree in social work at NMSU.

"We are proud to be able to help these students achieve their educational goals," said PNM Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer Roger Flynn. "They have a proven commitment to give back to their communities and we will look to them to be future leaders of New Mexico."

Scholarships are awarded in four categories: High Achiever, an individual with a grade-point average of 3.0 or higher; Potential Achiever, an individual with a grade-point average between 2.0 and 2.9; Non-Traditional/Returning Student, an individual who has faced major adversity in his or her educational career; Graduate Student, an individual who is enrolled in a minimum of six hours in a graduate program and has a grade-point average of 3.0 or higher.

Each scholarship recipient must meet criteria such as:

• commitment to Hispanic progress and development
• involvement in local community groups or organizations
• personal qualities and strengths
• specific academic standing
• financial need

Applications for the PNM Hispanic Heritage Scholarship are evaluated by a panel of Hispanic civic and business leaders. This year’s judges included James Gallegos, CPA; Margarita Wilder, Univision 41; Michael Gallegos, Commissioner Ken Sanchez’s office; Ana Baca, Bueno Foods; Chandra Manning, ACCION New Mexico; Jeffrey Candelaria, Albuquerque Hispano Chamber of Commerce; John Avila, Case de Avila; Miguel Gomez, City Council office; Monica Armenta, KOB-TV; Patricia Chavez, consultant; and Larry and Pearene Garcia.

"These active community leaders are highly qualified to review applications," said Manuel Quintana, PNM Business Manager and chairman of the scholarship selection committee. "Their support and commitment helps make the program a success. We appreciate the time and effort they donate."

The PNM Hispanic Heritage Scholarships are donated through PNM’s Community Relations budget, which is funded by shareholder dollars.

PNM is a combined electric and gas utility serving approximately 1.3 million people in New Mexico. The company, a wholly owned subsidiary of PNM Resources, also sells power on the wholesale market in the Western U.S. PNM Resources stock is traded primarily on the NYSE under the symbol PNM.