UNM celebrates President Garnett S. Stokes

Administrators, faculty, staff, students and a host of dignitiaries celebrated the impending retirement of President Garnett S. Stokes at the Student Union Building yesterday with a series of "micro" speeches from local dignitaries, light hors d'oeuvres and refreshing mocktails, and plenty of memories and well-wishes from her eight+ years as president of The University of New Mexico.

Chief-of-Staff Terry Babbitt emceed the event and introduced speakers that included Regent Christina Campos, State Legislators Javier Martinez and Mimi Stewart, head football coach Jason Eck, Albuquerque Mayor Tim Keller and Executive Vice President of UNM Health Sciences and CEO of the UNM Health System Dr. Mike Richards.

"In leadership roles, especially in higher education and academic health systems, the work is continuous," said Richards. "There is always another challenge, another decision, another issue requiring immediate attention. Retirement creates an opportunity to step back and recognize not simply the work of a day or a year, but the accumulated impact of an entire era of leadership.

"Universities do not advance on momentum alone. They advance because leaders create direction, stability, trust, partnerships, and belief in a larger future. Moments like this allow organizations to recognize what leadership made possible. Because at some point, the recognition shifts. It shifts away from role-based recognition - that of being a president with the authority of the office, the title, and the daily responsibilities - and toward something much more enduring: legacy.

"Titles eventually pass to someone else. Organizational charts change. Responsibilities transition. But legacy remains. Legacy lives in programs that now exist because someone believed they should. In facilities that will serve students and patients for decades. In opportunities created for others. In institutional culture shaped over years through consistency, integrity, and purpose. And ultimately, legacy is often best measured not by buildings or budgets, but by what people say years later."

"Universities do not advance on momentum alone. They advance because leaders create direction, stability, trust, partnerships, and belief in a larger future. Moments like this allow organizations to recognize what leadership made possible. Because at some point, the recognition shifts. It shifts away from role-based recognition - that of being a president with the authority of the office, the title, and the daily responsibilities - and toward something much more enduring: legacy."

- Dr. Mike Richards

Others spoke about UNM and the challenges and instability it was facing in the late-2010s and the need for a leader who could step up with the wherewithal to bring about much needed change at one of the state's flagship institutions - The University for New Mexico, a phrase Stokes has consistently spoke about during her tenure as president.

As part of the program, Mayor Tim Keller read an Executive Order from the Office of the Mayor proclaiming May 21 as President Garnett S. Stokes Day in Albuquerque.

It read in part:

"WHEREAS Garnett S. Stokes has served with distinction as the 23rd president of The University of New Mexico for eight years, providing visionary leadership grounded in academic excellence, innovation, and service to the people of New Mexico; and

WHEREAS President Stokes made history as the first woman to serve as president in the University's 137-year history, breaking barriers and inspiring generations of students, faculty, staff, and future leaders through her example of integrity, intellect, and perseverance; and…read the full proclamation here.

Babbitt also spoke of the accomplishments, both local and statewide, and opportunities she helped to provide that will benefit students for decades to come including Babbitt, who has been an instrumental part of Stokes' executive administration.

"Many people will look to accomplishments and legacy, and there are many substantial changes, improvements and accomplishments to talk about," said Babbitt. "We could mention capital transformation with the help of our partners. Healthcare workforce expansion, One University culture, enrollment, stability, athletic survival and resurgence and crisis management through a number of what should be generational events, but seemed to be monthly or yearly, planning for the next generation, technology economy, just to name a few things."

The list of UNM's accomplishments under Stokes could go on, but there were also the difficult times where she guided the University with a steadfast hand. For example, it was early during her term when a downsizing in the athletics program was necessary for a number of reasons; a global pandemic hit shortly thereafter, which altered the course of academic instruction; and there were the unfortunate events related to campus safety that also transpired.

"I'm grateful to all of you for what you have done and what you will continue to do. Because I know that this place is going to be in great hands and that there are plenty of jumping off points for where this University for New Mexico can go. I'm also really grateful that we recognize my husband because these jobs are not easy as the whole, as all of you know, and members of the leadership team and those closest to us recognize."

- President Garnett S. Stokes

"We had plenty of moments where it felt like we took a punch to the gut. We've taken a lot, all of us, the leadership team and many people, all of them in the room working together as a team," said Babbitt. "But we followed her lead, took a deep breath, trusted the team she had built, and went about the business of addressing what we needed to address in a thoughtful and deliberate way.

"So, to me, what I value in three decades of service after continuous turnover, strife and leadership transitions, we, as a campus community, have the reassurance that we are a competent, relevant, highly impactful university, serving this state and its people, and we deserve and expect outstanding leadership. So, thank you President Stokes for that."

Babbitt then turned to Stokes to say a few words.

"What am I supposed to say after all of that? I'll tell you, it's remarkable to be at this time in my life. I remember a couple people, and I say this all the time, I truly wanted to come to New Mexico," said Stokes. "This was a place that I believed that I would love, and I wanted to know all about it. I just feel so privileged that I had an opportunity to come here and serve as a leader of this university and to really build a team and meet so many incredible leaders and realize that all around me are people who are trying to make a difference in the lives of people here.

"I knew coming in that stability was something this institution needed. But I realized that that stability was provided by the people who were here, who really, really shared with me where this place could go and what we could accomplish. And there were so many people that were dedicated to that. So, I want to say thank you to everyone who's here, because I know as president you get credit for things that went so well. There are the people in the room who really made this happen.

"I'm grateful to all of you for what you have done and what you will continue to do. Because I know that this place is going to be in great hands and that there are plenty of jumping off points for where this university for New Mexico can go. I'm also really grateful that we recognize my husband because these jobs are not easy as the whole, as all of you know, and members of the leadership team and those closest to us recognize."

Stokes was also grateful for the recognition of her husband, Dr. Jeffrey Younggren, who was recognized by Richards as someone who has made a significant impact of his own as a forensic psychologist who helped build an internationally recognized forensic psychology program within the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Health at the University's School of Medicine. A program that not only provides important clinical and forensic services, but also trains the workforce and professionals who serve communities across our state.

"No one does these jobs alone. Behind every leader is a team and a support system that makes this work possible," said Richards. "For President Stokes, Dr. Younggren has been that steady presence throughout her presidency - the dapper First Gentleman of the campus. He has been at the President's side through countless events, ceremonies, celebrations, and university moments over these many years. And honestly, that alone would be more than enough to earn our gratitude and appreciation. But Jeff has done much more than that.

"He leaves his own important legacy at the University of New Mexico. He has helped guide important policy discussions on behavioral health in New Mexico. He has contributed to the intellectual life of this university. And through the Law and Mental Health educational program, he helped create a nationally recognized forum that draws hundreds of participants from across the United States each year," Richards continued. "That is meaningful impact in its own right. So today, we thank not only President Stokes, but also Dr. Jeff Younggren. Jeff, thank you for your partnership, your service, your expertise, and for the many ways you have contributed to this university community."

"So, to me, what I value in three decades of service after continuous turnover, strife and leadership transitions, we, as a campus community, have the reassurance that we are a competent, relevant, highly impactful university, serving this state and its people, and we deserve and expect outstanding leadership. So, thank you President Stokes for that."

- Chief-of-Staff Terry Babbitt

As part of her closing comments, Stokes was grateful for her husband's recognition and acknowledged his support and advice.

"I wouldn't have been able to do this without my husband, who has been my biggest cheerleader," said Stokes. "He often tells me that he knows how to run the university, and he frequently gives me advice on how to run the university and tells me what I should do. I know those who know him well, go to him all the time for advice because he is somebody you want to listen to. He has acknowledged that if I sometimes did the things he suggested that he, if he was the one that was president, that he'd probably be fired."

"I couldn't have a better partner, and I'm so grateful that you've acknowledged that. In fact, I didn't do this alone. The people in the room did this, and my husband was by my side. Sometimes he was pushing me and sometimes he was pulling me. But, you know, we did this together. Thank you so much for the honor of being the president of this university and for being members of this community, for being friends, for being members of the leadership here, the people that keep this place going every day. I'm just so grateful. Thank you."

In gratitude for her service to the University, Babbitt presented Stokes with a commemorative logo coin featuring a Lobo with a turquoise background and lettering outlined in cherry that read "Opportunity Defined - Garnett S. Stokes, 23rd UNM President." It's a tradition that is common for a president in public service, governmental entities or organizational structures with a strong culture of comradery and teamwork.

"To do what she has always done and I know will continue to do, give back and leave a place or condition better than how she found it," said Babbitt. "Many of us have experienced the tradition of challenge coins thanks to President Stokes and Jeff and their strong dedication, informative experiences with our proud military services that have helped many of us embrace a higher level of gratitude for the sacrifices of the men and women who enter this call."

It was a fitting celebration and tribute to an individual, President Garnett S. Stokes, who will undoubtedly leave a lasting legacy for those of us who remain, and for those still to walk the hallowed halls of The University for New Mexico.