But I don't want Rich to get too comfortable just yet. I still think he is mistaken in trying to get money for recruitment to increase college enrollment, rather than putting money into K-12 schools. After all, one of the reasons fewer students are going to college is that the pool is drying up. And, furthermore, at a time when America is being challenged by other nations in education, we have an "international gap," rather than a "minority gap." So, Rich, you still have until December to fix things.

Taking over as the commissioner of higher education was a daunting task requiring that he carry out the role of the Board of Regents in planning for the entire system. Overseeing Utah's institutions of higher education makes herding cats seem like a cakewalk. Yet, Rich has been able to bring together the colleges and universities around a common vision and a set of goals that has established a sound foundation for moving Utah's education into the 21st century.

Not bad for a railroad brat.

---

Utah native John Florez has founded several Hispanic civil rights organizations, served on the staff of Sen. Orrin Hatch and on more than 45 state, local and volunteer boards. He also has been deputy assistant secretary of labor. E-mail: ">jdflorez@comcast.net