She encouraged her children to pursue a college degree, which they did. Each chose education as a profession, becoming teachers, librarians, and school administrators. And each earned a master’s degree. That woman was my grandmother – and her legacy lives on today. Of her eight grandchildren, six have bachelor’s degrees and the other two have been successful in business. Of the six, two have law degrees, two have master’s degrees and one has a Ph.D. It doesn’t stop there -- 16 of her 23 great-grandchildren have also earned college degrees. I am sure many of you can relate to this story. Perhaps you are the first in your family to get a post-secondary degree and have opened the door for your siblings and cousins to go to college. Perhaps you are a single mother who went back to school and inspired your daughter to attend college... or perhaps you inspired your mother to go back to school. Perhaps you are a grandparent who encouraged your grandson to go to college. We all make a difference in the lives of those we love by being role models, AND we all leave a legacy. As graduates, today your legacy shines and it will light the way for others, rest assured. YOU are their legacy.” DR. ARENAZ: THOUGHTS ON LEGACIES SHARED Dr. Pablo Arenaz always cherished sharing the stage with candidates for graduation every Fall and every Spring. “It’s what we’re here for,” he would remind. For each ceremony, he’d offer remarks – mostly stories, drawn from personal experience. What follows is one of his most inspiring... “I would like to tell you a story. It is about a young girl of 14 from a very small town in Spain, with the equivalent of a third-grade education. She boarded a ship, all alone and speaking only Spanish, for the long voyage to America. Upon arrival in New York, she boards a train for Salt Lake City to a job waiting for her with her sister as a nanny/hotel maid/cook. In Salt Lake, she met her husband. They moved to Reno, NV, and had three children. She lost her husband at age 28. For most of her life, she ran a boarding house for Basque sheepherders and college students. Although she never had the opportunity to get an education herself, she understood the importance of postsecondary education and the doors it opens. Dr. Pablo Arenaz at his investiture april 2017 Pablo Arenaz, Ph.D. 4
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