James Franklin Sharp (MS IE’61, PhD IE’66) graduated from Chester Grade School in Chester, Illinois, in 1950. As eighth grade class president, he addressed his fellow graduates during the ceremony.

Seventy years later, the school invited Sharp to return to Chester and give a talk to its 2020 graduating class, but the coronavirus pandemic forced event organizers to conduct a virtual ceremony.

Undaunted, Sharp built a makeshift lectern, donned his cap and gown, and recorded a graduation speech from his New York City Apartment where he has been isolating since March. In his speech, Sharp shares six keys for future financial success:

• Do not be a high school drop out.

• Go as far in school as you can — high school, college, or trade school.

• If you go to college, choose a college and major that are right for you.

• Get a good first full–time job, and perform well in it.

• Save and prudently invest.

• Do not give up after a setback.

“Most successful people have had several setbacks in their life,” says Sharp. “They did not give up. Instead, they tried to make changes where changes were appropriate. They worked hard where hard work would pay off. They keep trying, and eventually they became successful.”

His practical advice is rooted in personal experience. Sharp’s father was a high school drop out who entered the workforce after eighth grade, but always encouraged Sharp and his sister to pursue their educations.

This is the third time Sharp has addressed the graduating class at Chester Grade School. He also gave graduation talks in 2000 and 2010, commemorating the 50th and 60th anniversaries of his graduation from the school.

After graduating from Chester High School in 1954, Sharp earned his bachelor’s at the University of Illinois before earning his master’s and PhD at Purdue. He then was a professor at Rutgers University, New York University, and Pace University, and held management positions at AT&T.

In 1986, he founded Sharp Seminars to offer business training to Wall Street portfolio managers and investment analysts. Although the pandemic forced Sharp to postpone his 2020 seminars, he does plan to resume them once it is safe to do so.

Sharp also spoke at Chester High School’s graduation ceremonies in 2004 and 2014 — 50 and 60 years after he graduated. He plans to return to Chester again in 2024, 70 years post-high school graduation, when he will congratulate this year’s eighth graders on finishing high school. He will be 87 years old.