Mel Martinez 

SBDC News:

ESPAÑOLA — Mel Martinez was honored Saturday, May 13 during the Northern New Mexico College (NNMC) Commencement Ceremonies as the recipient of the Honorary Degree of Bachelor of Arts.

Martinez is most noted for his community service and music performances throughout the state. He was welcomed with a standing ovation from a packed audience at NNMC Eagle Gymnasium.

Overwhelmed with tears of emotion he stated that he is so honored for this recognition and thanked NNMC. In his speech he congratulated the graduates and asked them to remember the advise he tells his own children: “Remember to be respectful always, respect each other … and one more important thing remember with God everything is possible if you have God in your life what can go wrong, nothing can go wrong.”

Martinez said he believes that each day is an opportunity to make someone’s life better. He has spent the last 50 years doing just that. He has been a member of the Española Valley Knights of Columbus for 46 years, the past 20 years served as Grand Knight of the Española Knights of Columbus, 30 years as a Santa Cruz Acequia Commissioner and Treasurer, he served as a board member for Holy Cross Catholic School and helps Santa Cruz De La Cañada Parish. He also has been sharing his gift of music and song by playing his guitar for all occasions for the past 71 years.

For over 50 years Martinez has demonstrated an extraordinary commitment in volunteering to help others. He advocates for the less fortunate, handicapped and disabled by organizing countless fundraisers and charity events. He has created scholarship opportunities for students in the valley and  also provided them with traditional and cultural education opportunities.

Martinez exemplifies “servant leadership” and inspires others to give of their time to help and mentor others in need. His life-giving values are integrity, charity, compassion, respect and love for all people. He believes that every day is an opportunity for an act of kindness; even the small things matter and can make an impact in a person’s life. He said, “Wherever you are this moment, no matter what you are going through you can choose to be kind and smile, you would be surprised what follows.”

Music brings people together and Martinez has been bringing people together for years by singing and playing his guitar at numerous events such Knights of Columbus fundraisers, state conferences, San Martin De Porres Chile Bowl, Santa Cruz De La Canada Church, Holy Cross Catholic School fundraisers, Northern New Mexico College events, New Mexico Small Business Development Center legislative events, New Mexico State Legislature, for the Governor, hospital patients, local businesses and numerous community events. He has also greeted international business owner visitors from Algeria, South America, Asia, Bosnia, Italy and Spain by playing his guitar and singing our traditional Hispanic songs.

Martinez’s wife Jeri, his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren continue to unite as a family to help others. He said, “Our family has a united spirit and comes together to teach the grandchildren the true gift of giving of oneself to help others in need by showing them and involving them, it all starts at home.”

His life and achievements serve as examples of NNMC’s aspirations for its students. His faith and character are extraordinary and his contributions are evident by all of the lives he has touched. Martinez stated to all college graduates, “It doesn’t matter what you choose to do for a living, but give it your best everyday and remember good character counts! Be responsible, accountable, dependable and most of all kind and honest. You don’t have to leave to make a difference; you can make a difference right here, right now by making the choice to step forward and can start to volunteer in the spirit of helping others.”

During his leadership as Grand Knight of the Española Valley Knights of Columbus he was awarded state and national awards

His involvement in the Knights of Columbus for the past 46 years has allowed him to be an advocate for the Española Valley; he sees value in all people and our youth. He has a gift of finding the right seat for everyone and every one of all ages have worked together for the common mission. He inspires people to do more and be a better person. Through the years the Española Valley Knights of Columbus has helped hundreds of people in our community with fundraisers to help with burned homes, medical bills and other hardships. Under his years of leadership, Martinez has been awarded and recognized many times through the years by the national and state Knights of Columbus organization for his programs, fundraising events and overall charity work.

During his 20 years as Grand knight Martinez was awarded for having 507 members, the largest in the state. The Knights of Columbus assists area churches by volunteering to help with their mission, they also give away food baskets for the needy, hold events to help people with cancer, they lend a hand to the elderly with their needs and check ins and give scholarships to local students wanting to go to college.

He awakens hope in hard situations and helps people to find a way to move forward … He survived a brain injury and had to learn to walk, talk and play his music again

“Whatever life throws at you, you have the choice to smile and get back up even if it means crawling to get there and along the way you get the strength to stand on your own two feet again,” Martinez said. He survived a brain injury several years ago and made a miraculous full recovery. While in the hospital and rehab he encouraged others at the facility to try harder, think positive, have hope and choose to get up and find their purpose again. He credits his family for staying with him and helping him 24/7. He also continued to lead the Knights of Columbus from his hospital bed with the help of his brother knights. He also praises his brother knights for always taking the lead and initiative in moving forward and remaining strong in their faith and mission.

He shares his gifts of music and song and celebrates life each moment

Martinez’s music is the window to his soul; he can play every instrument. He made his first guitar from a frying pan when he was 7 years old and learned to play by ear. He can also play the accordion, piano, saxophone, trumpet, drums and violin.

Honorary diploma awarded to Mel Martinez. Courtesy/NNMC 

Northern New Mexico College eagle. Courtesy/NNMC