
The University of New Mexico
NEWS RELEASE
Contact: Linda Thornton 505-863-7565
lthornton@gallup.unm.edu
Sept. 27, 2007
Hassan Abassary, a cook at the University of New Mexico-Gallup Child Care Center, has been named as one of the recipients of the UNM Provost’s Committee for Staff Academic Support Scholarships. He will be recognized in a meeting with Interim Provost Viola Florez on Tuesday, Oct. 2, at UNM’s Albuquerque campus.
The scholarship is for a UNM employee who is using his or her tuition remission benefit to obtain a degree or professional certificate as well as to take professional development classes. The Provost’s Committee for Staff created this financial support scholarship to help defray the costs associated with academic books, course fees and supplies. There are three scholarships of $250 awarded each fall and spring semester.
Abassary, a native of Morocco, joined the staff as cook in February. He ran a kitchen at a restaurant in Washington, D.C., before moving to the Gallup area with his wife, Christine Gleason, manager of the Adult Basic Education program at UNM-Gallup. Since joining the cooking staff, he says he has worked to introduce more healthful fare for the children in the program and to help steer the children away from junk food.
Everyday, he helps prepare with the other cook on staff, Priscilla Johnson, breakfast, lunch, dinner and three snacks a day for the children enrolled in the child care program.
On his own, Abassary has started a business called “Take Home Chef,” where he hires himself out for parties and private dinners to create gourmet meals. He specializes in North African cuisine but can provide any type of American or international fare. He emphasizes creating an attractive presentation and an imaginative menu. He says he’s been delighted since moving to this area to find fresh meats available, although he says the price is higher here than on the east coast. In time, he hopes to open a restaurant in Gallup.
Lina Sandve, chair of the Provost’s Committee for Staff, commented that the committee uses an applicant’s personal statement of need as one of the main deciding factors in their selection process. She said Abassary’s personal statement was “very compelling” and that it was evident he is a life-long learner.
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