Albuquerque Academy recently received two extraordinary gifts from alumni that highlight the lasting influence of an Academy education.
Inspired by the opportunities he had as a student, an early 2000s graduate and his family made an unrestricted $1 million cash gift to the Academy Fund. “If it were not for Albuquerque Academy, I never would have been successful in business,” he said. “The Academy provided me with both the scientific foundation in the classroom and the schedule flexibility to volunteer with scientists at Sandia National Labs. This gift is a small way to say thank you. I challenge other alumni to join me and give back as generously as they are able to the school that has provided so much to us.”
Another transformational gift comes from an early 1990s alumnus and Hollywood writer, who made a $1.2 million estate commitment in the form of an art collection. Honoring the late Mickey Prokopiak of the performing arts department, this bequest reflects his lifelong passion for the arts. “The Academy nurtured my creative spirit and opened doors to a world of ideas,” she said. “I want future students to feel that same spark.”
Head of School Julianne Puente expressed her deep gratitude. “These remarkable gifts exemplify the profound and enduring impact our alumni and their families are making in the world — and their appreciation for the foundation the Academy provided. With these gifts, we are not only sustaining excellence but building real momentum. This kind of support from our community is fueling innovation in our classrooms, expanding opportunities for students, and ensuring that our faculty can continue their extraordinary work.”
