WEBVTT

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[music]

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[horns playing "pomp and circumstance"]

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Good morning, it's a fine morning and fitting that we use it so well for this celebration

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Those of you who graduate from Western Oregon University today will always remember 

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this formal celebration of your accomplishment. For most of you, 

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today's ceremony represents the realization of a dream, the attainment of a goal,

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to earn a college degree which took shape years ago. We admire the hard work and determination.

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 which have brought you success

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Each year the alumni association presents its highest award, the alumni award of excellence to a former student who has achieved 

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distinction on a professional level, who has been involved with his community, and who's integrity stature 

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and demonstrated ability are such that the faculty, the staff, the 

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students and the alumni of Western Oregon can rightfully take pride.  

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For his past and continued service to the state of Oregon, 

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we'd like to present this year's 2011 alumni award of excellence the honorable judge Marco Hernandez.

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I was the commencement speaker in 2006, I got to be the Delmer Dewy award winner in 1983, 

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and your most recent Delmer Dewy award winner told you to stay in contact with your 

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school and to wear its badge proudly, I can tell you after 28 years, you have no choice 

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they will find you 

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Our speaker is also a doctor of veterinary medicine 

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with an active practice please join me in welcoming our fifth district congressman, 

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the honorable Kurt Schaeder. 

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Now that isn't to say that everything in life is gonna be this straightline trajectory, I make it out like it just happened, 

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there have been ups and downs all along the way, I lost my first race for the state legislature,

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 I relied on the advice of senate president Courtney at that time, (laughter) 

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 I got a new political advisor and actually won my second one.  

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Some people, they lose a race or get turned down for a job and you feel pretty bad about it, 'aw man, I'm embarrassed, 

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I don't wanna do that again, and I put myself out there and got shot down,' 

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Well, don't do that.  Don't let the setbacks determine what you do or don't do, 

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dust yourself off, get up and try again. This is a great country, 

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and this is a great state, doesn't matter who you are, what walk of life you come from, 

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if you put some effort in, and have a half decent idea, 

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you'll be surprised at the support you'll get. You got that support right here at Western Oregon University.

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A little bit about this class that you're in as you graduate, 

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out youngest graduate is 20 years 

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old our oldest graduate is 64 and is receiving a bachelor's degree, 

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there are eight husband and wife teams graduating.  

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Ladies and gentlemen, again I present our university graduates for 2011. 

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Graduates congratulations, [cheering]