ABC6 Honors: History-making Navy Commander inspiring students

By: Christina Myers

cmyers@abc6.com

PROVIDENCE, R.I. – A retired Navy Commander and current Professor at the Naval War College in Newport takes time out of his busy schedule to talk to students with the message “Seize every opportunity you can.”

It’s a message Dr. William Bundy himself has lived to the fullest, even securing his place in history.

From growing up in the projects in Baltimore to becoming the third African-American submarine Commander in the Navy, Dr. Bundy’s story is truly one of seized opportunities.

"Everybody can have an opportunity here in this country. We’re a great country and it’s a matter of being able to take advantage of that," said Dr. Bundy.

This year, he spread that message to a group of students at Classical High School through the HistoryMakers, an organization that records and shares the stories of African American leaders.

"When you shut the hatch and go on the mission, it’s not about what color you are. It’s about the talent, skills that you bring to the mission," said Dr. Bundy.

When he served, starting in 1963, not everyone was on board with that message. He credits Admiral Elmo Zumwalt with helping change that.

That is why Dr. Bundy felt he had to be there when The U.S.S. Zumwalt was commissioned in Baltimore on Oct. 15.

"Admiral Zumwalt changed the Navy and he made opportunities for me personally. I don’t think I would have ever gotten commissioned if he didn’t open up opportunities in the Navy," said Dr. Bundy.

While we’ve come a long way, a recent rise in racial tensions across the country points to how far we still have to go, making Dr. Bundy’s message to kids ever more important.

"It will inspire some percentage in that room and if you get through to just one student that has not heard that story that has not seen the opportunity to excel and do well in life, we’ve met the mark," said Dr. Bundy.

He believes there are still some unequal resources and discrimination in schools as well, so he does his part to fill in some of the education-gaps.

Not only does he participate in programs with the HistoryMakers, but he also hosts a STEM camp at the Naval College each summer to inspire students get into the fields of Science, Technology, Engineering and Math, which he believes are “the first rung in a ladder to lifelong success.” 

©WLNE-TV / ABC6 2016