This year marked the 10th anniversary of the creation within Albuquerque Community Foundation of the James Ledwith Memorial Scholarship Fund. In spite of a leukemia diagnosis during his sophomore year at Del Norte High School, James graduated with a full tuition scholarship to the University of New Mexico. He continued to pursue his dream of becoming an architect until he passed away a few short years later.

The scholarship, which will celebrate 25 years next year, awards to high school graduates from the Albuquerque area who show faith, hope and courage in pursuit of their own professional or educational “life dream” and the ability to lift themselves above extraordinary life challenges. Previous recipients have included political and wartime refugees and students who have faced their own health challenges.

James’ parents, John and Linda Ledwith, praise the Foundation’s support and coordination of the program. “We moved the scholarship to the Foundation 10 years ago because they could add promotion and the infrastructure to make it a permanent endowment that will outlast our personal involvement,” says John.

“We’ve got grandkids now who know all about Uncle James, in part because they sit in the room when the applications are being reviewed. This is our way to involve the next generation in a legacy of philanthropy.”