Editor's Note: The following is adapted from comments legendary restauranteur Norman Brinker made to NMSU's spring 1996 graduates. Brinker, a New Mexico native, was awarded an honorary doctorate at the commencement ceremonies. Brinker started his career as a busboy with Jack In The Box and today runs five restaurant chains in 500 locations with 60,000 employees. An article about Brinker's achievements in the restaurant industry begins on page 8.

Students of NMSU, you have been given the opportunity to achieve an outstanding education from an outstanding university. It should be very beneficial to you as you begin your exciting journey on the road ahead.

Although it has been nearly four decades, it seems like only yesterday that I, too, was joining the ranks of college graduates. It was certainly a great time for me - just as it is for you. During that month in May so many years ago, I graduated with distinction while holding the office of student body president. Then I began an exciting and meaningful career, which I find challenging and rewarding even today.

My message to you is simple and straightforward.

It is your personal challenge to use your education and your experience in whatever field you choose in the most advantageous and productive ways possible. I cannot emphasize enough the importance of being determined, having unending perseverance, and maintaining unquestionable integrity. It is truly amazing how people who possess those three particular traits consistently move to the top of their professions.

It's also very important to find the right team with which to be associated. You should seek out people who listen, who view life as a challenge, who have exciting and new ideas, and who show a high degree of initiative.

Of course, it is also extremely important to be surrounded by people who are really smart. Always remember: Sinners can repent, but stupidity is forever.

At graduation, all of us stand at a real crossroads - in more ways than one. Students enter a new phase of their lives.

Around the world today, society is entering a new phase, too - one with great changes. New governments are being formed. Jobs are scarce. New technologies are transforming the world, and initiative, creativity, and ideas are prized above all.

It is for many a time of concern and uncertainty. Every day, we witness events that make us wonder and, at the same time, provide us with a good deal of apprehension.

How will we deal with it? How will we react? Will we view the changing times as threats from which to recoil? Or will we view this as a time full of opportunities - opportunities to move forward and be successful, opportunities to imagine and create, opportunities to seize.

The answer lies within each of you.

All I can recommend is that, as all of you move forward from this point, make every effort to not forget where you came from - and that you give of yourselves charitably and politically.

You, my friends, are the future leaders, teachers, and providers of this great nation. You have the basis - and the potential - for a most exhilarating journey.

Norman Brinker's book, On the Brink: The Life and Leadership of Norman Brinker, co-authored with Donald T. Phillips, is available from The Summit Publishing Group. The book, published in 1996, debuted at a book signing at NMSU in May, following commencement ceremonies.