Albuquerque Academy is proud to announce it has received two gifts totaling $1 million through generous contributions from a family with close ties to the school – the Garcia Automotive Group Family. These new funds were developed in honor of former faculty members (Vincent Cordova and Darell Gage) who positively shaped the young lives of many alumni, including more than a half-dozen Garcia family members. Founded 70 years ago with the visionary philanthropic support of the Simms family, Albuquerque Academy was built on the generosity of others. This new gift from the Garcia family highlights the profound impact the Academy community continues to have on the future of its students and the future of New Mexico.
The two newly established funds, each named to honor a cherished faculty member, will provide ongoing support to areas of the school that reflect the passions and expertise of these educators.
The Vincent Cordova Summer Scholars Program – This endowed fund honors the dedication and career of Vincent Cordova, a former Academy teacher, administrator, and coach who was an early advocate of diversity at the school, paving the path to today’s enrollment of 57% of students of color. The fund supports the Academy’s Summer Scholars Program (formerly known as the Multicultural Summer Honors Program), a six-week, full-scholarship summer program that includes academic enrichment, creative arts, experiential education, and community building. Families from all cultural backgrounds with current 4th-grade students are encouraged to apply to the 2025 Vincent Cordova Summer Scholars Program.
The Darell Gage Courts – This fund was established in memory of Darell Gage, who taught and coached at Albuquerque Academy for almost 50 years. It funds enhancements to the Albuquerque Academy Racquet Center, which comprises 14 newly refurbished tennis courts and eight dedicated pickleball courts. This gift has helped current tennis coaches Tim Cass and Amy Badger secure an additional grant from the USTA for further capital upgrades and new programming that will establish the center as a community hub for racquet sports.
The Vincent Cordova Summer Scholars Program – This endowed fund honors the dedication and career of Vincent Cordova, a former Academy teacher, administrator, and coach who was an early advocate of diversity at the school, paving the path to today’s enrollment of 57% of students of color. The fund supports the Academy’s Summer Scholars Program (formerly known as the Multicultural Summer Honors Program), a six-week, full-scholarship summer program that includes academic enrichment, creative arts, experiential education, and community building. Families from all cultural backgrounds with current 4th-grade students are encouraged to 
The Darell Gage Courts – This fund was established in memory of Darell Gage, who taught and coached at Albuquerque Academy for almost 50 years. It funds enhancements to the These generous gifts from the Garcia family remind us that Academy educators have a positive influence on students’ lives well beyond the classroom and well beyond the years students spend with us on campus. We are a lasting and interdependent community.
Head of School Julianne Puente expressed the Academy’s gratitude for these remarkable gifts: “Our teachers are the heart and soul of Albuquerque Academy, and it is incredibly moving to see how their dedication has shaped the lives of our students and their families long after they’ve left the classroom. These funds will help ensure the dedication of Vincent Cordova and Darell Gage is long-remembered.”
Vincent Cordova is a beloved and respected math teacher and basketball/track coach at Albuquerque Academy, where he served for 33 years (1969-2002). He was known for his dedication to both academics and athletics, balancing roles in the classroom and on the field. His coaching included mentorship in character, leadership, and perseverance. Vince was a respected figure among his colleagues as well. Over the years, Vince’s administrative roles included director of tuition assistance, director of admission, dean of students, and dean of multicultural education. He coached the boys basketball team to state championships in 1981 and 1984.
Darell Gage taught math and coached at Albuquerque Academy for 50 years (1965-2015). Darell was known for his ability to make even challenging mathematical concepts accessible to students, caring about them in the classroom and on the courts. Additionally, Albuquerque Academy’s current 21-year state championship run in boys tennis began under Darell. He is the all-time winningest high school tennis coach in U.S. history, including coaching 21 singles state champions and 40 doubles state champions. He also coached football and basketball.
The Garcia family, with its generational roots in Old Town Albuquerque, owns and operates franchised automobile dealerships in Albuquerque, Santa Fe, and El Paso. The Garcias, foundational community developers in commercial real estate and automotive retail, are longtime supporters of education – a value instilled by their mother, Sheilah Garcia, and father, Julian Garcia. The family remains committed to the preservation of New Mexico’s rich culture through its patronage of education and the arts. Two generations of Garcias have attended Albuquerque Academy. Darell Gage and Vince Cordova personally championed and encouraged all five of the oldest Garcia family alumni.
“Our family has been associated with Albuquerque Academy for more than 50 years,” says Ed Garcia ’86. “My siblings and I feel we owe the Academy, Mr. Cordova, and Mr. Gage much gratitude. We are honored to be able to ‘carry some water back to the well’ from which we were so fortunate to drink. My wife, Diana, and I believe the strength of the academic program is as strong as ever as we watch our son, Graham ’30, progress every day.”
“Darell Gage was an Albuquerque Academy legend; he was my favorite teacher, coach, and confidant as a young man,” says Carlos Garcia ’96. “‘Dege’ was just a wonderful person. He never gave up on a student, no matter what. And you can’t consistently coach kids to the success he had in sports without possessing something very special. A few of my years at the Academy were tough. I’m not sure I would have graduated without his personal attention, care, and concern. I will always be grateful to him. We remained very close until his passing a few years ago. I am still fortunate to be able to visit with his wife, Trudy, and his sons.”
As Albuquerque Academy approaches its 70th school year, it is eager to build on this momentum. The school invites others who share this deep connection to honor a cherished faculty member with a gift that ensures their legacy continues to shape the Academy’s future. With the $4.53 million raised in the 2024 fiscal year and these new gifts, the Academy is well on its way to exceeding its $7 million fundraising goal by June 2025, opening the door to even greater possibilities.
