El Centro de La Raza announces that applications are currently being accepted through Friday, April 16, 5 p.m., for the Ida Romero Memorial Scholarship. El Centro asks faculty and staff to encourage students to apply.
El Centro de La Raza, the UNM Financial Aid Office, the UNM Scholarship Office and the Ida Romero Memorial Scholarship Fund Committee offer the scholarship to students demonstrating financial need and perseverance in overcoming obstacles. An award of $250 per semester is available.
Created in memory of Ida Romero, extraordinary woman and contributor to the University of New Mexico, who, as a single mother, worked full-time and put herself through UNM. Romero received her bachelor's and master's degrees in Fine Arts. She became the director of UNM's Student Financial Aid Office in 1995. Shortly thereafter she was diagnosed with terminal cancer and fought it to the end.
According to Verónica Méndez-Cruz, director of El Centro de la Raza, "Those who knew Ida were impressed with her strength, dedication, artistic ability, natural beauty and love for life. She was very involved in the University and the community. Ida Romero graciously contributed to the University of New Mexico and through this memorial she continues to do so."
In addition, nominations are now being accepted for Raza Excellence Outstanding Student Awards. In 1996, UNM students, staff and faculty created this award to honor Raza students across campus. Now in its ninth year, more than 30 have been honored. This year's recipients will be honored at the UNM Recognition Reception in April.
Mary Ann Romero, an immigration law attorney for the State of New Mexico, one the first award recipients said, "The significance of the award is that you are being recognized by your own community for work that you have done in your community. It is not an academic award, or an extracurricular award, but it is an award of the heart. This is the sweetest type of reward."
Raza Excellence award will be given to undergraduate and graduate students, within a semester of graduating, who have demonstrated a commitment to the Raza community both on and off campus, and who have performed well academically.
The deadline for nominations is Tuesday, March 2.
For information about applications and required documents, please visit El Centro or call Mayra Flores for the Ida Romero Memorial Scholarship and José A. Dominguez for the Raza Excellence Outstanding Student Award at 277-5020.
Contact: Eleanor Sanchez (505) 277-1813
Posted by kwentworth at February 19, 2004 01:54 PM