Los Alamos National Security, LLC (LANS) is donating $500,000 to the Senator Pete Domenici Endowed Scholarship Fund, which has been established in honor of New Mexico's senior senator.
The scholarship, to be managed by the Los Alamos National Laboratory Foundation, recognizes Domenici's more than three decades of support for Northern New Mexico, the Laboratory, and his efforts championing scientific research for the nation.
"This scholarship will be a lasting legacy to Senator Domenici," said Laboratory Director and LANS President Michael Anastasio. "And it will provide an investment in the future of Northern New Mexico and the Laboratory by supporting area students in their pursuit of a higher education."
"I am grateful to have my name associated with a scholarship that will broaden future opportunities for youth in Northern New Mexico," said Domenici. "Over the past 12 years, the Foundation has developed nicely into what I envisioned for it, namely an organization linked to the Laboratory that can foster better education and stronger communities."
The monies will be used to provide seven annual scholarships, one for each of the seven counties that the LANL Foundation serves: Los Alamos, Mora, Rio Arriba, San Miguel, Sandoval, Santa Fe, and Taos. Scholarships will be awarded to Northern New Mexico students who demonstrate outstanding leadership and academic excellence.
"Throughout his career, Senator Pete Domenici's name has been synonymous with dignity, respect, honor, leadership, and service," said Tony Fox of the LANL Foundation. "We established this endowed scholarship so that the senator will continue to inspire and help future generations for years to come."
The LANL Foundation will honor Domenici at a banquet in the senator's honor this evening at Ohkay Owingeh Convention Center north of Española. The banquet also will be a fundraiser for the scholarship fund.
Los Alamos National Laboratory, a multidisciplinary research institution engaged in strategic science on behalf of national security, is operated by Los Alamos National Security, LLC, a team composed of Bechtel National, the University of California, The Babcock & Wilcox Company, and Washington Group International for the Department of Energy's National Nuclear Security Administration.
Los Alamos enhances national security by ensuring the safety and reliability of the U.S. nuclear stockpile, developing technologies to reduce threats from weapons of mass destruction, and solving problems related to energy, environment, infrastructure, health, and global security concerns.