Question! What do the following people have in common? Bob Dylan, Martin Luther King, Madam Curie, Albert Einstein, Ernest Hemingway, Winston Churchill? Here is another clue: Bridges, Monuments, many elite Universities, scientific institutions, streets and highways around the world were named after some of these people. But, still, that is not what these people have in common.
All of these people were recognized for specific accomplishments they achieved during their lifetime that changed the course of mankind. Their contributions made this world a better place to live. All these people won the most coveted prize on earth. They won the Nobel Prize. There are many, many more famous names I could have added to this list. But in the state of New Mexico, there has only been one person to win the Nobel Prize; Paul Modrich, from Raton, New Mexico.
Paul graduated from Raton High School in 1964 and attended Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and Stanford University. He is known for his work on DNA mismatch repair. His list of accomplishments and awards are too numerous to list. All of us who have anything to do with Raton or even New Mexico should be extremely proud of Paul’s accomplishments. This event should put Raton on the map. When Paul won the Nobel Prize, we had a nice celebration for him at the Schuler Theatre. There were some dignitaries who came up from Santa Fe to participate in the ceremony. There were signs around town congratulating Paul. There was even a motion to rename the middle school after Paul but apparently, the school board voted it down. The signs and glamour of the day faded away and people started to forget about Paul’s great achievements.
Maybe the school board didn’t recognize the value of the Nobel Prize. Maybe they thought it was something you win in a box of Crackerjacks. As far as I know, the motion was never resubmitted for reconsideration. I believe there was a room at Raton High School named in Paul’s honor. The Nobel Prize is like winning the Super Bowl. In fact, it’s bigger than the Super Bowl. But it is won with brains, not brawn. If Paul had thrown a bunch of touchdown passes, the city would have constructed a 40’ foot billboard on I-25 to announce it to the world. Sorry, Paul, your Nobel Prize will have to take the back seat until someone comes along to give you the permanent recognition you so justly deserve. There are so many things the city could easily do like rename the middle school, or change Goat Hill to Modrich Mountain, or 2nd Street to Paul Modrich Main Street.
Paul is proud of being a native of Raton and returns every year to visit. His accomplishments should be exploited and celebrated and used to inspired the youth of Raton. Maybe there is another Nobel Prize winner growing up in Raton. Just maybe, some grade school student will realize someday that he or she can win the Nobel Prize too. Those of us who know Paul, still admire him and respect him for his accomplishments and the notoriety he brings to Raton. Maybe someday Raton will wake up and do the same.
Bob Beaudette
Phoenix
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