Heaton urges IWC graduates to make the most of their opportunities

By BROOKS TAYLOR

Mt. Pleasant News

While life has its challenges and curves, succeeding in life is making the most of the opportunities presented, State Rep. Dave Heaton of Mt. Pleasant told 162 Iowa Wesleyan College graduates at commencement exercises Saturday in Ruble Arena.

Heaton recounted his first run for state office against current U.S. Secretary of Agriculture and former Iowa Governor Tom Vilsack, who also lived in Mt. Pleasant at the time. He said he gained many lessons from the narrow (52-48 percent) defeat.

?That campaign was a tremendous experience, getting out and meeting people, learning about their homes and dreams. But it taught me a valuable lesson that applies to politics and really to life in general ? it?s not personal,? Heaton said.

The former Mt. Pleasant restaurant owner said losing an election is difficult because when campaigning, you are not going to be told that by people that they favor your opponent. ?The day after the election, I was faced with the reality that many of the people who came to my restaurant, that I knew and appreciated, had decided that Tom Vilsack was a better choice. As a candidate, you have to accept the decision of the voters. It is not personal.?

Life, Heaton said, will be seen as unfair many times by the graduates in the years ahead. ?In life, there will be those occasions when you may be up for a promotion, running for office, volunteering your time to a civic organization or church. And while you think you are the right person to get that new job or be put in a leadership position, it doesn?t happen. Remember it is not personal.

?Those who made the decision have simply decided to go another way. If you allow it to be personal, the only person who will be hurt is you,? he noted. ?And you don?t want to spoil the next opportunity that may be coming your way.?

Heaton, a 1964 Iowa Wesleyan graduate, recounted the path that took him to IWC and how college was an eye-opening experience. His parents urged him to attend college and he was the first in his family to graduate from college. Originally, he had planned on becoming a pharmacist and attended Drake University. ?One of the first classes I took there (at Drake) was freshman level chemistry. There were more students in that one class than there were at Sigourney High School (where he graduated from high school). That?s a bit intimidating to a kid from small-town Iowa.

?At the end of that first semester in college, I was at a fork in the road,? he continued. ?Going back to Drake was not an option. I could either give up on getting a college or find a new place to start?My situation at Drake left me with the feeling I had let my parents down because I knew what they had given up to let me continue my education.?

His best friend in high school was J.D. Schimmelpfennig. Schimmelpfennig was attending Iowa Wesleyan and Heaton thought if IWC was good enough for Schimmelpfennig, it was okay for him.

Heaton stressed the importance of education. An education, he said, gives you the ability to think, react and move forward. ?Employers today are looking for people who can think on their feet, deal with adversity and have the ability to adapt?Receiving a degree from Iowa Wesleyan helps you develop these skills.

?It is true that you may never need to recite one of Robert Frost?s poems, use quadratic equations or explain the Electoral College at jour job,? he explained. ?But taking these diverse classes give you the skills needed to survive and advance in today?s economy.?

He urged graduates to live by three simple rules ? Don?t keep secrets; Don?t speak in code; Always tell the truth ? because all involve trust. ?Your work is your bond.?

In conclusion, Heaton said trust can go a long way in life. ?I don?t care if you have a four-point GPA or pages of endorsements on your resume. If you do what you tell me you are gong to do and are open and honest when you can?t complete what I have asked for, you will get a lot further in the workplace and in life?I hope when you look back on this day, you will see it as the first step on a rewarding life?s journey.?

Heaton and Dr. Robert L. Tree of Fairfield received honorary doctorate degrees during the ceremony. Distinguished service awards were given to Dr. Nancy L. Erickson, retiring IWC vice president for academic affairs, and Dr. Joel Brown, retiring music instructor.