“We are extremely honored to have both Kris Meyer and Tom Grilk as our Distinguished Speakers for our 119th Commencement ceremonies,” said Steve Rich, President, Fisher College. “Meyer and Grilk both have uniquely powerful stories to share that will inspire our students and allow us to celebrate the triumph of the human spirit.”
Fever Pitch Producer & Former B.A.A Leader to Serve as Distinguished Speakers
Fisher College is proud to announce today that Emmy nominated Hollywood film & television producer Kris Meyer and former Boston Marathon & Boston Athletic Association Executive Director Tom Grilk will serve as Distinguished Commencement Speakers at its Commencement Ceremonies for its undergraduate and graduate programs in 2023.
Kris Meyer is an Emmy nominated and award winning producer who has worked for the past 20 years with the comedic duo The Farrelly Brothers under their production banner, Conundrum Entertainment. He has worked as a creative executive, production executive and producer on such blockbuster hits as There’s Something About Mary, Me, Myself & Irene, Shallow Hal, Fever Pitch, Hall Pass, The Three Stooges and Dumb & Dumber To. Conundrum’s body of work has resulted in over $2 billion in box office sales. He continues to work with The Farrelly Bros. on joint ventures. Meyer has independently worked on a number of films and TV shows ranging from the Sports Emmy nominated ESPN/The Lost Son of Havana to PLIMPTON! which aired on PBS/American Masters. Under his own banner, BlackEagle, Kris’s most recent movies; The Do Over starring Adam Sandler was released on NETFLIX, and most recently SUPERTROOPERS 2 was released nationwide.
Tom Grilk served as Executive Director and President & Chief Executive Officer of the Boston Athletic Association | Boston Marathon (the B.A.A.) during the deadly bombing attacks at the Boston Marathon finish line in 2013. Grilk oversaw the world’s premier running event for more than a decade from January 2011 to April 2022. Each year, Grilk prepared 9,500 volunteers to serve 31,500 runners, including the world’s best marathoners, in front of a crowd that routinely swelled to over 300,000 spectators. Each year brought major challenges, but on Monday, April 15, 2013 at 2:49 PM, Tom Grilk was faced with the most terrifying reality possible after two bombs exploded at the Boston Marathon finish Line, killing three people and injuring 260 more. As Executive Director of the B.A.A., Grilk had to mobilize and lead armies of others through those tense hours and the chaotic aftermath when the eyes of the world focused on Boston.
Few people have led during traumatic events like the Boston Marathon Bombings. Tom Grilk is one of those few. Due in part to Grilk’s training of his staff and countless volunteers, hundreds of bombing victims were given expert care and the resources they needed to stay alive. Grilk’s leadership and management prepared first responders to perform heroic, extraordinary feats that saved countless lives and gave meaning to the term - Boston Strong.
“We are extremely honored to have both Kris Meyer and Tom Grilk as our Distinguished Speakers for our 119th Commencement ceremonies,” said Steve Rich, President, Fisher College. “Meyer and Grilk both have uniquely powerful stories to share that will inspire our students and allow us to celebrate the triumph of the human spirit.”
"It's a tremendous privilege and honor to be addressing the Fisher College class of 2023,” said Kris Meyer. “My message will be to encourage all to be relentless, bold and brilliant in their future endeavors. Life is a masterpiece, pick up the brush and start painting! "
“It is humbling to have the opportunity to speak with Fisher’s newest group of advanced studies graduates,” said Tom Grilk. “For most, their studies have required a commitment to go beyond the already full-time responsibilities of work and family. They have my highest admiration. I have been privileged to work with many such people over the years, and I look forward to talking with Fisher’s graduates about the opportunities and successes that their hard work can enable.”
Fisher College will also award both Grilk and Meyer with an Honorary Degree in Humane Letters for their years of public service. Meyer will speak at The 119th commencement of Fisher College on Saturday, May 13, 2023, at the Back Bay Events Center at John Hancock Hall. Grilk will address Fisher College students at its 7th graduate commencement ceremony at Fisher College on June 28, 2023.
Previous Fisher College Commencement Speakers include ALS advocate Julie Frates, Boston Marathon heroes Carlos Arrendondo and Jeff Bauman, Paris Subway hero Alek Skarlatos, New England Patriots co-captain and Super Bowl Champion Matthew Slater, the Reverend Liz Walker, former Lawrence Mayor Dan Rivera and former Boston Mayor Martin J. Walsh.