LAS CRUCES, N.M. — Twenty-two-year-old Javier Lujan, a lifelong Las Crucen, marched across a New Mexico State University stage on Saturday, becoming the first in his family to graduate with a college degree.
It's an occasion he was hoping to share, like any new graduate, with his father.
But fate would not allow it.
His dad, Las Crucen Frank Lujan, 62, a longtime salesman at a local building supply store, was diagnosed with liver cancer in January. The elder Lujan was treated with radiation therapy, but by mid-April he was hospitalized in Las Cruces, his health deteriorating.
The remainder of April, Frank Lujan's family was uncertain about whether he'd live.
It was then that Javier Lujan's sister, Victoria Harvell, drummed up an idea: holding a mini-graduation ceremony in her father's hospital room so he'd have the chance to witness his son's milestone event. A few phone calls later, including to some officials at NMSU, and the arrangements were set for April 24.
Sometime in the afternoon, Beth Pollack, associate dean of the NMSU College of Arts & Sciences, and Gregory Fant, associate vice president and deputy provost for the university, arrived at Lujan's room on the third floor of Memorial Medical Center, said Javier Lujan. The two university officials were decked in full commencement regalia, as was the soon-to-be graduate. And about 10 family members were present, too.
Frank Lujan hadn't been conscious because of medication he'd been receiving for excruciating pain, but that treatment was halted shortly before the ceremony, Javier Lujan said. The elder Lujan seemed "a little confused" at the beginning, but that dissipated, his son said.
Then, Pollack and Fant hosted a ceremony and handed Javier Lujan, a criminal justice major, a certificate.
"He looked really proud of me," Javier Lujan said.
Fant said that his office fielded a request from a family member to host the little ceremony. And he said he was "touched" and wanted to honor the family's wishes. After learning that Pollack was free that afternoon, the two headed to the hospital.
"We went in and basically allowed his dad to hear the words that will be said at commencement," he said. "It's probably one of the most moving things I'd ever gotten to be a part of on campus."
Javier Lujan said he had mixed feelings about the ceremony. On one hand, he was grateful officials were willing to carry it out, and on the other, he felt it was a sign he was giving up hope that his father could survive.
Frank Lujan died April 30. His son said doctors, a few days beforehand, indicated he was cancer-free, but his organs had begun shutting down.
Javier Lujan said he "felt cheated" that his dad did die before the actual commencement ceremony occurred. But the hospital ceremony was the next best thing.
"It was nice because at least he got to see me in my cap and gown, but it wasn't the same," he said.
Javier Lujan was active in a national criminal justice honor society, Alpha Phi Sigma, and served in the attorney general post for the Associated Students of NMSU, which is the student body government. In addition to a criminal justice degree, he'll earn a supplemental major in law and society.
Javier Lujan has had a lifelong goal of becoming an attorney, an interest that has only intensified because of a recent internship he held at the district attorney's office. His next step entails taking the LSAT and gaining admission into law school.
Fant noted Javier Lujan's achievements, saying he's been "an outstanding student for the criminal justice department."
"His father had a lot to be proud of," he said.
Javier Lujan said he loves the state and wants to attend the University of New Mexico. He hopes to be admitted in the fall of 2013. He said he feels like he's earning his education not only for himself, but to represent his family well.
"I want to be educated," he said. "I want to be successful and make my family successful, as well."
Information from: Las Cruces Sun-News, http://www.lcsun-news.com