UNM Anderson School of Management Establishes JB White Memorial Scholarship

November 13, 2020 - Anna Dykeman

Albuquerque, N.M. -- The University of New Mexico Anderson School of Management has announced the establishment of the JB White Memorial Scholarship to benefit future Santa Fe High School students as they plan to further their education with a business degree from The University of New Mexico.

JB White, a graduate of Santa Fe High School, was a standout basketball student-athlete for the Demons and planned to attend UNM this year while playing basketball for the Lobos and studying business at UNM Anderson. He died prematurely August 1. To honor the late White, his family, and the community of Santa Fe, the scholarship will be dedicated to benefiting Santa Fe High School students and/or students in the Northern New Mexico area, dependent upon yearly applicant pools.

"We are disappointed JB was never able to begin his education and play at UNM due to his untimely passing," said UNM Anderson Dean Mitzi Montoya. "We expect his name to live on through the formation of this student scholarship."

In an effort to make this scholarship successful and to positively impact future youth in Santa Fe, UNM Anderson is requesting funds to support this endowed scholarship. To kick off support for the scholarship, Paul Weir, head coach of the UNM men's basketball team, has already donated his teaching salary from Fall 2020 and an additional personal donation to the fund.

"JB was bigger than life, having made such a distinctive impact on so many people - including myself," said UNM Coach Weir. "After reflecting on my conversations with his grandmother Jude and school principal Carl Marano, this just felt like the right thing to do in so many ways. In my short time working for the Anderson School, they have demonstrated to be a first class organization with high standards and values you can't help but want to be a part of. To be able to bring this together to offer future opportunities for students geared toward diversity is the greatest tribute I can hope to ever provide."

The scholarship will specifically be awarded to a future undergraduate student who is attending UNM and studying business. Preference will be given to students who graduated from Santa Fe High School or another high school in Northern New Mexico if no Santa Fe High School students meet the guidelines. The student should also have an interest in diversity issues, which could include African American, Native American or Hispanic cultures. No basketball credentials will be required or factored into the awarding of this scholarship.

Donations can be made securely through the UNM Foundation website.