The scholarship was established in July of 2010 in honor of OC board of trustees member and Odessa attorney Richard Abalos. Abalos has served on the board since December 2002. He is also best known as being the first Hispanic lawyer in Odessa. Odessa College was presented with a check in the amount of $17,600 for the Richard C. Abalos Endowment.
The Mexican American Scholarship Committee provides opportunities to high school graduates and non-traditional students who must maintain a 2.25 GPA for the duration of the award. Class attendance and GPA eligibility must be maintained, and courses must be completed during each semester of the award. This scholarship is awarded on a semester by semester basis to both part-time and full-time students. The committee selects scholarship recipients each August and January of the academic school year.
