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News Release
May 6, 2004
PNM's Hispanic Employee Organization Awards
$25,000
in Scholarships to New Mexico Minority Students
Albuquerque: With her 2004 LLAVE-PNM scholarship,
Audrey Ornelas, 33, of Albuquerque will not have to take out
a loan for graduate work at New Mexico Highlands University
in Rio Rancho.
The $1,000 scholarship will cover her tuition and some books
for her first semester of studying counseling.
"It's exciting," she said. "I'm happy for
the savings and happy that I was picked and can continue my
work with children."
Audrey is one of 25 hardworking minority students in New
Mexico recognized by LLAVE, PNM's Hispanic employee organization,
with $1,000 scholarships.
The scholarships were awarded Thursday during the "2004
Educational Excellence Awards Banquet" sponsored by the
Albuquerque Hispano Chamber of Commerce and PNM. A scholarship
committee comprised of representatives from local community
organizations reviewed more than 350 applications and selected
the winners. The applications are evaluated based on financial
need, leadership, community involvement and academics.
The PNM-LLAVE scholarship eligibility requirements included
being a New Mexico resident, being one-quarter recognized
minority and being enrolled or accepted to study at an accredited
college, university, community college or vocational school.
LLAVE has awarded scholarships for minority students since
1992; since that time it has given out more than $90,000.
LLAVE is committed to supporting diversity by promoting education
and cultural appreciation.
"LLAVE is pleased to give such talented and deserving
students these scholarships," said Pat Ortiz, PNM general
counsel and secretary and executive sponsor of LLAVE. "LLAVE
is proud to help tomorrow's leaders pursue their educational
dreams."
These scholarships are consistent with PNM's commitment to
education and the community as well as PNM's national recognition
as one of the best places for minority employees, Ortiz added.
Minorities comprise nearly half of PNM's 2,600-member work
force; and in 2003, for the fifth year in a row, FORTUNE magazine
ranked PNM the best U.S. company for Hispanic employees. The
company also earned the spot of 10th best overall for minority
employees.
The magazine also ranked PNM as seventh-best company for
Native American employees and the company with the largest
number of minority employees among its 50 highest-paid employees.
PNM is the principal subsidiary of PNM Resources,
an energy holding company based in Albuquerque. PNM provides
natural gas service to 441,000 gas customers and electric
utility service to 385,000 customers in New Mexico. The company
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. For more information, visit PNM.com.
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