Steven Virgil Menefee was completing his PhD in Linguistics and working to preserve at risk indigenous languages at UNM when he passed away in 2010. Steven was especially interested in the Navajo language and studied Navajo for four semesters with then graduate student, Dr. Melvatha Chee. Steven worked closely with both Jalon Begay and Dr. Chee in Navajo language research. We loved Steven’s energy, positivity, creativity, and his enthusiasm about indigenous languages and linguistics.
We are looking forward to our first awardee.