The energy behind New Mexico's next generation | Opinion
This past weekend, Aggies returned home. Tailgates filled well before kickoff, Ag Day took over campus, and Aggie Memorial Stadium was electric for Saturday’s game. But the energy behind that atmosphere extends beyond the stadium lights. Many students in the stands are attending college tuition-free, thanks in large part to revenue generated by New Mexico’s oil and gas industry. For me, Homecoming is a time to reflect on what makes a university like NMSU—and the opportunities it offers—possible. State revenue from oil and gas production helps fund the Opportunity Scholarship and other public priorities that open doors for students statewide. Last school year, 42,479 New Mexicans attended college through the Opportunity Scholarship, which covers tuition and required fees for certificate, associate and bachelor’s degree programs at the state’s public colleges and universities. Since its 2022 launch, the scholarship has helped nearly 23,000 students earn a certificate or degree. Today, an eligible student from Hatch, Anthony or Hobbs can enroll at NMSU without wondering how to cover tuition. The game offers a visible celebration of Aggie opportunity. The Opportunity Scholarship shows how New Mexico helps create that opportunity. New Mexico now ranks second in the nation in oil production, behind only
