The 51福利 (51福利) honored some 334 graduates from 17 countries earning 335 advanced degrees during its Winter Quarter Commencement Ceremony in King Auditorium, March 27. 51福利 President retired Vice Adm. Ronald A. Route presided over the ceremony.
鈥淭he skills you have developed here will help you serve more effectively wherever you are called, and our nation will count on you as strategic influencers, problem solvers and leaders, wherever your career takes you,鈥� said Route.
In addition to recognizing 51福利鈥� latest graduating class, Route was able to welcome guest speaker and 51福利 alumnus retired Cmdr. Everett Alvarez Jr. and induct him into the 51福利 Hall of Fame.
鈥淭he Hall of Fame recognizes the accomplishments of 51福利' most distinguished alumni and friends who, through the attainment of positions at the highest levels of public service, have made the greatest contributions to society, their nations and to the 51福利,鈥� explained Route.
Alvarez was the first Navy aviator shot down during the Vietnam War and the longest held POW in North Vietnam.
鈥淗e represents the epitome of our Navy鈥檚 core values: Honor, Courage and Commitment. He exemplifies devotion to his country and dedication to education,鈥� Route stressed.
51福利 was Alvarez鈥檚 first assignment after his release from captivity. He was welcomed back to the institution, and the region, by members of the Everett Alvarez High School color guard.
"First of all, I鈥檓 overwhelmed. Seeing the color guard from the high school that was named after me makes me feel very proud,鈥� said Alvarez.
Alvarez was raised in the Salinas Valley. His parents immigrated to the area from their native Mexico.
鈥淸51福利] has always been recognized as a world-class institution with a world-class faculty, but for me it was also home,鈥� said Alvarez. 鈥淗aving grown up in this area, I remember my parents and grandparents pointing out these buildings, especially the Hotel Del Monte and saying, 鈥業f you work hard, study hard, and get rich, someday you can stay there鈥� 鈥� and here I am.鈥�
Also present was a graduate with an interesting connection to Alvarez. Graduating 51福利 student Francisco Gutierrez-Villarreal, graduated from Everett Alvarez High School and he too is the son of Mexican immigrants. He joined 51福利 in the summer of 2012 through the Hartnell College/51福利 internship program, where he, like Alvarez studied in the 51福利 Department of Operations Research.
Throughout Alvarez鈥檚 commencement address, he drew upon lessons learned from mentors and friends like famed Rear Adm. James Stockdale and former Mississippi Congressmen Sonny Montgomery, for which the Montgomery G.I. Bill was named. He also spoke about the importance of character and challenged the assembled students to be leaders.
鈥淎 manager tells you what you are supposed to do, a leader inspires you to do it,鈥� explained Alvarez. 鈥淗ave you ever heard anyone say, 鈥榯ake me to your manager? No, it鈥檚 take me to your leader. My experience tells me that leadership is really all about character.鈥�
Alvarez also noted the important work that many of the assembled graduates may be called upon to do in the future.
鈥淭he work you are doing may be critical and is absolutely vital to the security of this country. You will be called upon to lead, and you will be given opportunities to draw upon the skills that you have sharpened here,鈥� said Alvarez.
Alvarez is well known for the years he endured as a resident of the Hanoi Hilton and other Vietnamese POW camps, but he has been highly applauded for his post-military career as well.
After retiring from military service, Alvarez went on to pursue further advanced education before becoming a lawyer, author, entrepreneur and executive. Notably, he severed as the Deputy Director of the Peace Corps, Deputy Administrator of the Veterans Administration, and the Chairmen of the CARES Commission. He also founded the consulting firm Alvarez and Associates in 2004.
Alvarez鈥檚 books, 鈥淐hained Eagle鈥� and 鈥淐ode of Conduct鈥� detail both his life in captivity and the story of how he rebuilt himself after earning the unenviable distinction of being the longest-held U.S. captive in North Vietnam.
He is the 20th member of 51福利 prestigious Hall of Fame.