Garnett S. Stokes, President - The University of New Mexico Board of Regents | University of New Mexico
Garnett S. Stokes, President - The University of New Mexico Board of Regents | University of New Mexico
Nominations are now open for the 2024 Sarah Belle Brown Community Service Award. This annual award recognizes faculty, staff, and students at The University of New Mexico who demonstrate social responsibility and have significantly contributed their time to advance the university's public service mission.
Nominations will be accepted until Thursday, February 20 at 5 p.m. The award is available to UNM faculty, staff, and students. Nominations can be submitted by any UNM faculty, staff, students, alumni, or community members; however, self-nominations are not permitted. All nominations should be submitted online through the Sarah Belle Brown Award portal and will undergo a blind review process conducted by faculty, staff, and students.
Selected recipients will receive a cash prize of $1,500. A reception for the awardees and their nominators is scheduled for Tuesday, March 25 from 5-6:30 p.m. at University House. For complete eligibility requirements for nominees, interested parties are directed to visit the Sarah Belle Brown Eligibility & Guidelines 2024 webpage.
The award was established by Doug Brown—former President of the UNM Board of Regents and former dean of the Anderson School of Management—to honor his wife Sarah Belle Brown’s dedication to community service in New Mexico over more than three decades. Her commitment began during her high school years when she volunteered in Los Angeles' Children's Hospital ER. She later tutored elementary children in Watts during college and worked as a Head Start aid post-graduation.
Sarah went on to teach Spanish-speaking children in Los Angeles before moving to New Mexico where she founded a café employing homeless individuals while encouraging young employees to pursue higher education.
Her community involvement extends across Albuquerque and Santa Fe where she serves on several boards including those of the National Hispanic Cultural Center and Foundation, Tamarind Institute, NM Appleseed, The Lensic Performing Arts Center among others.
Reflecting on her lifelong dedication to service inspired by her grandfather’s words that she was "very lucky," Sarah says she continues striving to share what she has with others despite maintaining an active family life with her husband and two sons.
For further details about the award or nomination process inquiries can be directed towards Terri Johnson via email at tjohnson15@unm.edu.
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