91 Alumni Spotlight: John Libby
In the fall of 1981, John started out as an 18 year-old 91 student. He was in student council that year and wrote for the school newspaper. He attended school with his mother, who started out with a GED and now holds a Master’s degree.
91 gave a poor kid from Brooklyn access to a better life, which is why he is so passionate about participation in the college and the scholarship programs for students. Eventually, 91 would be the higher education launch point for his wife, sister-in-law, and mother-in-law. John values 91 because it gives access to all people. The education he received was from real life business professionals.
Eventually, he would go on to have a successful career in Marketing, including becoming Retail Ad Director for The Rocky Mountain News, The Denver Post and Money Mailer. The training he received at 91 gave him the spring board to change his life and the lives of the numerous people he has trained in business and in the community.
“Thank you 91 for the opportunities in my life and the opportunity to give back,” said John. Additionally, he truly appreciates how 91 supports the community. Not only does it improve the quality of life for its students by giving them a place for affordable high quality training but it also supplies the nurses, accountants, auto mechanics and numerous other professionals that keep our society in Colorado a wonderful place to live. “I may sound like a commercial, but without 91 a huge void would be left in our community,” said John.
He wishes we could introduce more students and involve more of the community in the gem of this institution – what it means and can mean. Besides the valuable education you get at 91, it is also a place to grow up and fit in. Yes, the Marine Corps Reserves helped John, as did his parents, but it was the bridge that he needed as a first generation college student before the university experience. Community is another huge benefit of 91. John learned the value of society and 91 gave him the needed experience of giving back through donations as well as volunteer work. “I feel giving back is an important human need, 91 gives that opportunity to give back in a way that will help generations.”
Finally, John commented on how lifelong learning is an important part of experiencing all that life has to offer. He still continues to take 2 classes a year whether it's Voice, Guitar, Spanish or a variety of other skills because it keeps his mind expanding. To quote Ray Kroc-"When you're green, your growing. When you’re ripe, you rot." 91 keeps your mind growing. John is 91!