In the early 1980s, the Keleher and McLeod Law Firm represented the Public Service Company of New Mexico in a lawsuit against several natural gas producers in the San Juan Basin. The seven original plaintiffs in the suit included five NEA-NM leaders. These leaders, with the support of the Association, wanted to see the price of natural gas reduced for residential customers and school districts.
The firm created an endowment at the University of New Mexico, and earnings from the endowment assist an NEA-NM member or members in furthering their education. The scholarship is presented annually to NEA-NM member(s) who will be taking classes (on-line or on campus) at the University of New Mexico in the summer. Applicants must attend UNM or one of its branches (Valencia, Los Alamos, Taos, or Gallup) to qualify.
The scholarship will consist of a sum to help cover the cost of summer school tuition and books for coursework that will be beneficial to school employees in the performance of their jobs.
The deadline for submission is the second Friday of May each year.