Eastern New Mexico University - Roswell

July 26, 2012 For Immediate Release Contact: Donna Oracion, 624-7404 ENMU-ROSWELL STUDENT RECEIVES NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION SCHOLARSHIP Eastern New Mexico University-Roswell student, Moises Veleta, has been awarded a $5,000 scholarship from the National Science Foundation. Veleta received the award from the Scholarships in Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (S-STEM) program. The STEM scholarships are awarded to academically talented students with financial need in order to increase and enable students to enter the STEM workforce following completion of their degree requirements. Veleta, 23, graduated from Roswell High School in 2007 and enlisted in the Marine Corps, where he served for four years. He served in Afghanistan and Iraq and traveled to China. After his term ended, Veleta decided to return to Roswell to continue his education. He enrolled at ENMU-Roswell in the fall of 2011. He completed three semesters and currently has a 3.9 GPA. He is registered for the fall semester and expects to graduate next May with an Associate of Arts degree in University Studies. He plans to transfer to ENMU and pursue a biology degree, with an emphasis in pre-med. His goal is to become a biomedical researcher. During this past spring semester, Veleta worked as a lab assistant in the ENMU-Roswell science department. David Peschka, physical and life sciences instructor and science coordinator at ENMU-Roswell, said he was excited to nominate Veleta for the scholarship. “He is a smart young man and a hard worker with admirable study skills,” Peschka said. “He was very reliable in the lab and anticipated what needed to be done.” Veleta hopes to work again in the science lab this coming semester. This summer, he has been volunteering his extra time as a math tutor. He said he enjoys helping other students and he is learning to improve his teaching and communication skills. Working with Peschka inspired him to be a good student because he shares Peschka’s passion for teaching and learning. “It’s contagious,” Veleta said. He is very happy to receive the scholarship, because now he has more support for his financial needs and can focus on his education. Veleta is also currently working weekends as a night shift security guard at FLETC in Artesia. When he graduated from high school, Veleta admits he wasn’t very focused or motivated to continue his education, but attending ENMU-Roswell has been a great experience for him. He’s looking forward to a new semester. “Every teacher I have met has been good. There are a lot of opportunities here to pursue.” ###