The Gallegos Family Legacy

Joselyne and David Gallegos

David Gallegos (BE ’86, MS ’87) started running marathons at the age of 54. Recently, on one of his long training runs in the Sandia foothills, he reflected on his life and thought about the profound impact his family, teachers, and UNM had on who he is today. He realized that “very few of us are purely self-made but rather are a product of our community.”

Having grown up in a modest house in Albuquerque’s South Valley, he had many opportunities to get pushed in a variety of directions. He was not fond of school until two influential teachers at Rio Grande High School got him excited about math and biology. At his mother’s behest, he applied for and received the UNM Presidential Scholarship—which aims to keep the best and brightest New Mexican high school graduates in the state for college. As one of six children, the scholarship meant his parents weren’t burdened with the cost of paying for his college education.

Once at UNM, his professors opened his mind to a new understanding of math, physics, and the natural world as he pursued a biomedical engineering degree. He was offered a research assistantship and the opportunity to pursue a master’s degree, which he took. A year later one of his professors encouraged him to apply for a position at Sandia National Laboratories, which led to a rewarding 28-year career there.

David, Arynn, Isabel, and Joselyne

In his first year on the job, he met his wife, Joselyne (MS ’88), who immigrated to the U.S. from the Philippines at the age of seven with her family and nothing else but a vision for a better life. David says Joselyne made him a better person. The couple has two daughters, Arynn and Isabel, who are both working on advanced degrees at Stanford University.

David and Joselyne support organizations addressing issues critical to the success, security, and future of the community, society, and world. David reiterated that “a society where all its members are supported, educated, and informed is a better society for everyone.” Accordingly, they give to charities focusing on food and housing insecurity as well as education and learning.

David showed his daughters the importance of giving back both financially and through his volunteerism. He created and participated in after-school programs for underrepresented students, particularly those interested in STEM. Arynn and Isabel now volunteer with organizations important to them and have begun making starter gifts to charity.

The couple speaks regularly to their daughters about their estate plan and how it will support them, extended family, and charity. They recently established a donor-advised fund to streamline their giving and receive immediate tax benefits. After they pass away, the fund will distribute gifts to the Presidential Scholarship, KNME, KUNM, and other charities. Their daughters will become successor advisors so they can give to organizations close to their own hearts. This is the Gallegos family legacy.