NMSU-A Commencement Speech

The following is a transcript of the commencement speech given by Representative Dr. Nathan P. Cote at NMSU Alamogordo on May 8, 2009.

Dr. Nathan P. Cote, Ed.D.
New Mexico House of Representatives

I want to thank Dr Jimeno and the board for the invitation and opportunity to speak to the NMSUA graduating class of 2009. I also want to acknowledge all VIPs, community leaders and dignitaries participating in tonight’s memorable ceremony, thank you for being here. Congratulations to all graduates for your great accomplishment, your sacrifices and commitment and the sacrifices of your families…you certainly have a reason to be proud.

An additional congratulations to Patricia Ann Reeser and Israel Riviere who were named to the All New Mexico Academic Team and Ronnie Price winner of the 2008-2009 James C. Nutt Scholarship. Also, congratulations to all of you who participated in the high school – college dual credit program.

I didn’t take lightly the opportunity to speak to so many at such an important event in their lives, and for awhile was anxious about the fact that I might not deliver a good message, or at least make one good point you all might remember. So I hope my message to you this evening is befitting of your accomplishment.

I’ve decided to speak to you tonight from the heart and hope not to sound like a priest or minister, a college professor, your parents, or the amateur politician that I am. I want to speak to you based on some of my experiences, observations, and choices. Much of my outlook on life and my life-long work ethic is a result of being raised on a family farm, one of eight siblings, and having very spiritual parents. I consider myself fortunate because of these circumstances, and the fact that I can also talk somewhat knowledgeably about agriculture.

I want to compliment the leadership, administration, and faculty of this fine institution for record enrollments increased by 28% during the 2007-2008 school year and another 16% this past year. Also, notable of praise is the expansion of the campus with the Allied Health Building. We need all the nurses this school graduates. During its 51 year history over 48,000 students have attended with 4,100 receiving degrees. Tonight we have graduates from ages 19 to 66.

Let me tell you a little story. There were these two young fish swimming in a lake when they encountered a much older and larger fish. The older fish asked the two younger fish, “How’s the water?” Swimming away, one of the younger fish looked at the other and asked, “What is water?”

But, if you’re worried that I plan to present myself to you tonight as the wise older fish explaining what water is to you younger fish, please don’t be. In fact there is at least one of you here tonight more senior than I am, perhaps there are more, and that is extra-ordinarily commendable. In fact some of you could be the wise old fish to me, and you probably have been to your younger classmates as you pursued your degree. Personally, I find today’s youth have much they can teach us and we are never too old to learn.

The point of the fish story is merely that the most obvious and important realities are often the ones that are hardest to see and talk about, those we do not even realize exist. It is an example of our day-to-day in the trenches adult existences in which we live our lives, days which can become very routine if we allow them to be such. I refer to it as a banal platitude, or common every day experiences. These are the experiences that can have important events that remain with us the rest of our lives, or so I wish to suggest to you this evening. These experiences and the world around us often go unnoticed, but routine reflection can bring you a better understanding of the importance of your experiences.

Wearing those funny hats and the placement of the tassel this evening is a traditional reflection of your accomplishment. You have closed one door and have now opened a new door of opportunity to your future. You have just added to your list of options to consider when making that choice of what do to do next. Some of these choices may include such questions as; do I continue my studies; do I seek a different job with my new credentials; do I take a break; or do I re-locate where other opportunities might exist.

At the same time you are considering these and other options in today’s world you face certain challenges that many who preceded you did not have. There is a high unemployment rate, in fact approaching 9% nationally, a sagging economy, increasing tuition rates at four-year and graduate universities and colleges, expensive health care, the collapse of many large companies having extended impact to suppliers and smaller companies, reduced revenues to run federal, state, and local governments, and the continuing political debates on one issue or another. We are also involved in conflicts overseas with returning veterans who deserve our appreciation and support. But not all is doom and gloom, because of people like you America will get better and you are part of that equation.

As a legislator I try to always remember, when it comes to the development of good public policy, open and free debate and the first amendment of our constitution allowing us freedom of speech is a powerful tool, one of the most powerful things we have in our great democracy.

I suggest that you always question, never make assumptions about others, their philosophies or their beliefs, and make an effort to live fully the words “respect” and “diligence.” Don’t take everything you see, hear, or read as the absolute truth unless there is overwhelming evidence, but then still question it. I am not talking about our faith in the God of our choosing, but all of those other things that people say with a self-declared authority. Our perceptions of events and circumstances are rarely right on, we will never know all the facts. You must make choices affecting your future based on the quality and abundance of information readily available to you.

You have great opportunities right here in New Mexico, and we want to keep you. Whether you’ve decided to be in the trades, in health care, in the arts, criminal justice, or even in the motion picture business, you have unbelievable opportunities and a brighter future right here in New Mexico. For example, I earned my doctorate while living in Alamogordo and attending classes out of town on weekends. It was an opportunity, a door to be opened, and I went through it. The opportunities exist within the dynamics of technological advances, the abilities to get advanced degrees from institutions hundreds of miles away, and the opportunity to get in on the ground floor of occupations that did not exist for our parents and grandparents are abundant.

Our governor, other state legislators, and state agencies are focused on New Mexico being at the top of the list with renewable energy initiatives such solar, wind, and geothermal so that we might break from our dependence on fossil fuels. Yet, there is and will be opportunity in the oil and gas industry, especially as New Mexico because it is a large source of natural gas and oil.

New Mexico is mostly a rural state and health care providers, teachers, and social service related workers are essentially needed in these areas. In some cases there are tax breaks and other incentives available. I became sadly aware of these dire needs when I sponsored legislation for physician assistants, dental hygienists, nurse practioners, law enforcement, domestic violence, and behavioral and mental health care facilities to help improve the quality of the lives of people in those areas. Poverty, illness, abuse, and hunger are all pervasive in many areas of our state; these are real problems for our state’s families and our children, many of whom are babies. These are some doors that need to be opened.

There is government service at all levels with opportunities to make a difference and feel really good about yourself and what you are doing at the same time. There are many other public service opportunities that will provide you experiences you will carry with you the rest of your life. When I was in human resources I was always impressed with a resume that had volunteer and community work on it. And, it makes you better qualified for future employment.

I made my choices based on those opportunities and challenges that presented themselves to me, but at other times I sought them out. I can honestly say I had no long term plan other than to someday retire. Each time I enrolled in a new degree program, or took another job, it was because it was there to be considered. Therefore, one of the points I want to make to you tonight is look for opportunities, look for a new door to open, and never be timid about opening it. Change is never easy; leaving our comfort zone is difficult.

When you open a door, be clear with your focus, don’t make it too difficult on yourself, make it a part of your daily or weekly schedule and change and accomplishments will happen for you. Another door and new opportunities will present themselves to you, often out of the clear blue sky. Always consider your options and never underestimate your potential.

A person of great quality during an award ceremony the other evening said everything that is now happening may be viewed in an historical context. That simply means that what is happening at or around our present time and in our daily lives has historical significance. You are now part of this historical context.

My colleagues in the state legislature, our elected officials at all levels depend on your help to bring about changes that are necessary in today’s world for a better future for many, whether it be in our school systems, our legal system, health care, or with the careful use of our resources…our children depend on you for their future…let’s leave, when we do leave this world, with a legacy our family and loved ones can be proud of.

Whatever you decide to do, it will probably be the right decision for you. Not everyone can be president of the United States; it doesn’t mean you have to accumulate great wealth; it doesn’t mean you have to write a book; what it means to me is that you have accomplished something that defines you. My guitar teacher, a great philosopher, told me just yesterday, there is no such thing as perfection, only the attempt to achieve perfection. To me it was a profound observation.

Now I promised myself that when I came before you this evening as a person who has lived life to its fullest and made mostly good choices, that I would not sound like your minister or a professional politician, but as a person who has pursued causes, as someone who respected others regardless of their differences, as someone who now humbly serves a role in the community, and someone with a simple message…look for those new doors of opportunity and open them, nothing is impossible.

One of my graduate school professors once told me, you don’t have to be of superior intelligence to get a Ph.D., just persistent…average every day intelligence when cultivated will get you to a legacy that will make you feel fulfilled and your family proud. Be patient, work hard, and make those choices in what is often referred to as the real world. You all have done great, you are commended for your accomplishments, do not be afraid to relish with pride sitting in this auditorium this evening.

I want to close by quoting a noted author, Dr Michael Dyson, “Rise because you are emerging from an institution of higher learning; rise because of brilliant faculty and students; rise because someone invested in you.” I would like to add “rise because you’ve worked hard and have now completed a degree or certification program that brings you to the next door and the door after that that will define your life and your legacy.” Rise and embrace your day to day experiences and try to treat those frustrations and challenges of modern day living as new doors to be opened. So graduates Jana Cowan, Pearl Martinez, Charles Franks, Ida Baker, Sandra Hoffman, Rex James, and our two master’s degree recipients, Jenna Deinert and Janet Richards and the more than 200 others here tonight, be proud, tonight is your night, dream big, one door at a time.

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