MARK GRUNKEMEYER ‘72 (CELEBRATING THEIR 50TH REUNION)

Good morning Alter Staff, Families, Guests and the Graduating Class of 2021:

I cannot believe it has been fifty years since I, and my 328 fellow classmates walked the hallways at Alter High School. Much has changed over the last 50 years BUT, how to become successful in life has not changed and it only involves three simple strategies. I’m here today to talk about the three secrets to success that have guided me since graduation and give you some real-life examples of people who have achieved great success.

My first secret: Education. There is no replacement for knowledge. The more you know, the more you grow. The information and education you have gathered over the last twelve years and will continue to gather over the next 5-10 years is invaluable. Most of the teachers and professors you may dislike now, you will appreciate later in life.

There is an Alter graduate from my class of 1972, retired Rear Admiral Tom Zelibor whose story I want to share. Tom’s education after high school included four years of classroom work at the Naval Academy getting his bachelor’s degree followed by Naval Post Graduate work on Leadership training and then his MBA at the University of North Carolina. In 1990 he led the United States Pacific Carrier Fleet to our first invasion and liberation of Kuwait. Ten years later Tom was asked to lead the International Carrier Fleet to protect our Atlantic coast from any potential further terrorist attacks as a result of the 9/11 attacks in New York City.

My Second secret: Hard Work. Always try and outwork the person next to you and across from you…whether in the classroom, on the athletic field, and most importantly on the job. Trust me again on this one.

I know another Alter graduate who currently plays professional football. Joe Thuney, class of 2011.
He has protected the back side of Tom Brady and now Patrick Mahomes, and he did not get there by taking short cuts anytime in his life. Joey always outworked the guy across the line of scrimmage from him and now he wears two Superbowl rings.

My third secret: Never Stop Dreaming. There is a 1968 Alter High School graduate who watched Neil Armstrong venture into outer space and land on the moon the year after he graduated from Alter High School. Just one month ago, Larry Connor, the designated pilot for Axiom-1, flew the SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket to the International Space Station and spent 14 days there collecting data. Any one of you can achieve your dreams if you just 1) continue learning, 2) outwork the person next to you and 3) never stop reaching!

I have two other examples of why you should “Never Stop Dreaming”:

There is a guy by the name of Jeff Bezos who 20 years ago thought he could be the # 1 retailer in the world by just selling product online. So, how is he doing?

Ten years ago, a guy by the name of Elon Musk was told NOT to compete with the other automakers to create an all-electric car. So, how is he doing?

To each of you graduates, I ask this question, which one of you out there is the next Tom Zelibor, Joe Thuney or Larry Connor? All of them outworked their competition, and I hope you do the same!

Congratulations, good luck and God bless you.