Photo: Scholarship recipient David Slover and Stacie Meis, Al Johnson's daughter.

Silver City, NM – The Western New Mexico University Foundation in association with the Al Johnson family announced the awarding of the Al Johnson Scholarship to David Slover a deserving student majoring in Kinesiology and a member of the Mustang football team.

Slover, a West Covina, California, native, is the first student to receive the Al Johnson scholarship.

"It is a real honor to receive a scholarship that represents a prominent figure from the athletic department and WNMU community," Slover said.

Johnson dedicated his life to activities and service to Western New Mexico University athletics. Serving as Head Football and Baseball Coach and later as Athletic Director he made an impact on many young students during his career at WNMU.

Johnson became an All American Quarterback while attending Harden Simons University and led them to a national championship. His tenure at Harden Simons was interrupted after his sophomore year when he was called upon to serve in the United States Marines. He served in the South Pacific spending many months on Iwo Gima during the fierce fighting for the island. He returned to Harden Simons for his final two years.

The endowed scholarship continues Johnson's life legacy. He emphasized the importance of education and the need for improved financial assistance to students seeking their degree at WNMU.

The Isla Faye Johnson and Stacy Meis (daughter) as well as the Foundation wish to thank all the donors who have made donations to date and request that all future donations to the Al Johnson Scholarship be directed to: Western New Mexico University Foundation, P.O. Box 1158, Silver City, NM 88062.

Western New Mexico University has served the people of the state of New Mexico and its surrounding areas as a comprehensive, regional, rural, public coeducational university since 1893 and serves a student body diverse in age, culture, language and ethnic background.