Contact:

Laurie Mellas-Ramirez, 277-5915

January 25, 2002

ROSWELL NATIVE EXCELS FRESHMAN YEAR AT UNM

A few expeditions from the Pecos to the Potomac made quite an impression on University of New Mexico Presidential Scholar and Roswell native Michael Martinez. "My travels to the nation's capitol shaped the way I see politics. I knew I wanted to include it in my line of study somehow," Martinez says.

Martinez completed an internship last year in Sen. Jeff Bingaman's Roswell office. He is currently under consideration for an intern post in the senator's Washington D.C. office for summer 2002. Legislative interns, depending on their academic background and interests, help track legislation, draft policy memos, cover committee hearings and compose correspondence.

"I really enjoyed my internship in Senator Bingaman's office. New Mexico is very fortunate to have him as our state's voice in Washington," Martinez says.

His first trip to Washington D.C., Bingaman's office secured him a coveted seat at the 1999 impeachment hearing of former President Bill Clinton. "Seeing our nation's Congress during the impeachment trial and my recent encounters with George W. Bush and Supreme Court Justice Kennedy has had a profound influence on my life," he says.

A freshman planning to major in business and minor in poli sci, Martinez graduated from Roswell's Goddard High School last spring. He scored in the top two percent nationally on the PSAT and earned the title National Hispanic Scholar.

"My high school environment was really good. Goddard has great staff and educators. I don't think they hear that often enough," he says, adding that a government course with faculty Mike Whalen also helped pave the way to his future. Martinez was on the Goddard wrestling team and also ran track.

He was offered a full ride at Florida State, but says he chose UNM "because it's a well renowned University close to home." The UNM Presidential Scholarship Martinez has been awarded is based on academic merit and leadership skills. It goes above and beyond the cost of tuition - paying for textbooks and other fees and is renewable for up to four years. Approximately 125 entering freshmen receive the scholarships each year.

In his second semester at the University, Martinez is enrolled in both economics and public policy courses and boasts a near perfect GPA.

His skills landed him a student position with the UNM Public Affairs Department. Martinez "is the first point of contact for people with questions and concerns," he proudly notes. "I direct them to the proper public affairs representative." He also assists with the faculty/staff newspaper, distributes press releases and tracks media coverage.

Martinez' parents David and Susan reside in Roswell. While attending UNM in Albuquerque, he lives with his brother, David Jr., who also attends UNM majoring in broadcast journalism.

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The University of New Mexico
Public Affairs Department
Hodgin Hall, 2nd floor
Albuquerque, NM 87131-0011
Telephone: (505) 277-5813
Fax: (505) 277-1981