The Ted S. Lopez Memorial Scholarship was endowed through the University of New Mexico Foundation in June of 2017 in honor of Ted Lopez, US Navy Veteran, and UNM alumnus. This was established by Ted’s daughter, wife, & sons, with the help of generous friends/family/donors.
CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL OF THE RECIPIENTS!
2025-2026
Brandon Lee BS Instructional Technology & Training | Army
Crystal Valerio MS Cybersecurity and Business Analytics | New Mexico Army National Guard
Camille Montague BS Mechanical Engineering | Air Force
Toneda Roman BBA Business Administration | Marine Corps
Jonathan LaMone MBA Business Administration | Marine Corps
Philip Tso BBA Business Administration | Marine Corps
2023-2024
Edward Chavez
Joshua Gabbard
2021-2022
Crystal Baca MA Special Education | US Air Force
Cory Henn
BS in Biology | US Air Force
Dante Logan MS in Nursing | Navy
Chloe Orange PHD Physical Education Sports & Exercise Science | Navy
Jorge Edjuardo Vallecillo BS Construction Management | Marine Corps
2020-2021
Amanda Giraldo
United States Army
Nursing School
3rd Year
Derek Metzgar
United States Coast Guard Bachelor of Science: Physical Education
Graduated May 2021
Ramon Owens
United States Navy Bachelor of Arts: Physical Education
Sophomore
Nickolas DeSantis
United States Air Force Secondary Education
Graduating May 2022
Laura Gonzales
United States Army Master of Arts in Organization, Information, Learning Science: Organization Development and Human Resource Development Graduating May 2022
2019-2020 RECIPIENTS:
Jennifer Mendoza-Badilla United States Air Force Bachelor of Business Administration: Human Resources Junior
Ryan K. Stairs United States Army Double Majoring in Bachelors of Science: Astrophysics & Earth & Planetary Science Senior Jasmine Fernando United States Marine Corps Nursing School Senior
2018-’19 RECIPIENTS:
Jason Kauffin United States Army Bachelor of Arts: History Awarded as a 4th year
Valentina Basile United States Air Force School of Law Graduated December 2018
Timothy Beaton United States Army Bachelor of Liberal Arts, Minor in Communication Awarded as a Senior- 4th year
2017-2018 Inaugural Scholarship Awards
In the scholarship’s first year, financial assistance was given to three different veterans at UNM! Congratulations to two of the recipients, Francis Valencia and Lalydia Belone who graduated from UNM in May of 2018!
2017-’18 RECIPIENTS:
Francis Valencia
United States Navy
Bachelor of Science: Political Science
Graduated May 2018
Nicholas Larkin United States Navy Medical School: Physical Therapy Awarded in his 4th Year
Lalydia Belone
United States Marine Corps
Bachelor of Science: Psychology
Graduated May 2018
The “Tee Off For Ted” Memorial Golf Tournament is an annual event held to amplify the level of assistance the scholarship may provide from year-to-year. Francis Valencia and his wife joined the Lopez family at the 2018 Tee Off For Ted Memorial Golf Tournament Luncheon:
In partnership with the Veterans Resource Center, the scholarship accepts donations year-round.
~ABOUT TED S. LOPEZ~
Theodore (Ted) S. Lopez, was a loving husband to his wife of nearly 40 years, Terry, and was an incredible father to their four children; Kevin, Kenny, Keith, and Kathryn. He was a caring son & brother, devoted co-worker, and dedicated friend.
~IN THE NAVY~
In 1971, Ted graduated with his bachelor’s degree from the College of Santa Fe. Upon graduation, Ted signed up for the United States Navy and attended Officer Candidate and Communications Officer School in Newport, Rhode Island.
He became the Communications Officer (COMMO) who ran the Communications Department that sent and received messages to and from other ships, aircraft, and shore facilities. He served on the USS Anchorage LSD-36, an amphibious support ship, where he was assigned to Pacific 3rd Fleet based out of Naval Station, San Diego, CA. He was promoted to lieutenant j.g. and would often get his fellow crew members involved in the Catholic orphanage in San Diego.
The ongoing Vietnam conflict, the evacuation of Saigon (Operation Frequent Wind), the efforts to rescue refugees, and chasing the pirate hijacked SS Mayague were among the operations Ted helped support during his time of service.
Ted valued his years in the Navy and appreciated the camaraderie formed with his lifelong friends, Ed Alder and Chuck Johnson.
He was respected and admired by his division/entire ship’s company and returned home June 15th, 1975.
~LOBO EXPERIENCE~
Ted was always an avid Lobos fan. From being a season-ticket holder to visits to “The Pit,” he had the Lobo spirit! 
He also was a life learner, always seeking opportunities to enrich himself. Thus, at the age of 62, he pursued a master’s degree, ultimately earning his Executive MBA from the UNM Anderson School of Management in October of 2013. The knowledge and friendships he made during those two years were something he deeply cherished. Ted always told his children that one of the best decisions he ever made was going back to school, enriching himself, and getting his master’s degree. He was always loyal to the Lobos, but finally became one! 
WATCH VIDEO OF TED RECEIVING HIS MBA FROM THE UNIVERSITY OF NEW MEXICO:
Upon graduation in October of 2013, he became the Director of the Small Business Development Center at UNM-Los Alamos. He consulted with New Mexico business clients in strategic planning, marketing, program management, sales, customer service, and more, to start and grow their small businesses. 
He was an avid note-taker at meetings and conferences and was genuinely interested in learning how to assist his clients. Colleagues will remember him for his kindness, expertise, humility, and how he truly gave his best every day. Ted loved his job from his first day, through the rest of his life. 
He was an avid note-taker at meetings and conferences and was genuinely interested in learning how to assist his clients. Colleagues will remember him for his kindness, expertise, humility, and how he truly gave his best every day. Ted loved his job from his first day, through the rest of his life. Ted treasured his family, enjoyed the outdoors, appreciated a variety of music, and loved traveling. He was an authentically good, intelligent, and generous man. He cared about those around him and always put others’ needs well above his own. He was the first to bring positivity to one’s day and was incredible at investing in the lives of those around him, while always remembering that it’s the little things in life and the relationships we have that truly make a difference. He treated every day as a gift. His strength, courage, sense of gratitude, faith, and love of God are an inspiration to all who knew him.
~Theodore S. Lopez | November 9th, 1949 – June 15th, 2016~