Undergraduate Student Senate Establishes Scholarship in Memory of Gloria Brown-Lopez
The New Mexico Highlands University undergraduate student senate established a scholarship this semester in memory of longtime university employee Gloria Brown-Lopez, who died in a car accident last year.
Before her death, Brown-Lopez was the university’s retention and intervention coordinator and an academic adviser. She also taught courses in the School of Business.
“The undergraduate student senate felt Gloria had a very big impact on Highlands when she was here,” said student senator Tristan Loar. “She was a friend to every student, and wanted to see each of us succeed.”
Through the Gloria Brown-Lopez scholarship we can help a hard-working student succeed academically, which is what Gloria would want,” Loar said.
This semester two students will receive $500 scholarships. The student senate plans to make the scholarship an annual award, with one student selected each academic year to receive $1,000.
“Gloria wasn’t just an academic adviser who stayed in her office,” said Thomasinia Ortiz-Gallegos, director for the university’s Office of Academic Support. “She was a leader in student activities who helped them feel like they belonged, like the Newman Center and the Black Student Association. Gloria always reminded students that in order to make a difference they needed to get involved.”
What the students are doing with initiating this scholarship in Gloria’s name reflects what she taught them. I’m so proud of them on both a professional level for their leadership, and a personal level for what they are doing to honor someone who is so near and dear to us,” Ortiz-Gallegos said.
Serina Allingham is another undergraduate student senate member who remembers Brown-Lopez well.
“Gloria Brown-Lopez was greatly admired and respected by her colleagues and students,” Allingham said. “Gloria was more than an asset to the community, she was an inspiration to all those who encountered her. Her strength and perseverance were unparalleled, and she was always steadfast to help any student.”
Allingham said that as a business instructor, Brown-Lopez understood that she was preparing future professionals and demanded nothing less than a student’s best.
“She diligently taught the subject at hand while simultaneously instilling life lessons to her students,” Allingham said. “Gloria was also a single mom to her beautiful son Zion. She was an exceptional mother. Gloria will always be remembered as a very special woman and mother.”
Brown-Lopez was well known in the Las Vegas community for her active involvement in the Las Vegas Youth Soccer League, her son’s school Parent Teacher Organization, and her church.
To be eligible for the Gloria Brown-Lopez scholarship, a student must be a full-time undergraduate with a G.P.A. of at least 3.0. An essay and letters of recommendation are part of the application.
The deadline to apply for the scholarship is March 12, and the scholarships will be awarded sometime in late March or early April. Applications are available online or in the Office of Student Affairs in Ford Hall. For more information call 505-454-3020.