Biography

Preferred Name: Larry

Job title if you could make your own: Professor of Taking Walks in Nice Weather

In another life, I’m pretty sure I was: A Spring Peeper (a tiny frog) I hear them calling to me at night when the weather gets warmer.

On Sunday mornings, you can usually find me: Wrangling my two young daughters, trying to get them outside on a walk. I try to go to the beach with a bagel every Sunday.

Name a few of your daily habits: My aspirational habits are stretching and writing every morning, keeping a gratitude journal, and riding my bike. My actual habits are making coffee and lunch in the morning, doomscrolling the news and social media, and combing my daughters’ hair. I try to end every day with a good book.

What was the biggest obstacle you had to overcome to accomplish your academic goals? Learn how to become organized and to communicate maturely. I got many relationships off on the wrong foot by being too informal or demanding. Also, I found that my organizational skills were a limiting factor. Having a clear desk changed my life!

What advice would you give to your past self? Follow your interests. There’s so much value in the journey, and you can never predict the destination. Life’s too short not to maximize the activities that bring you joy.

What is your favorite part about your job? I LOVE meeting with students and hearing about their experiences. OUR CAMPUS IS SO LUCKY TO BE FILLED WITH MANY AMAZING STUDENTS! So many kind and insightful folks. I also enjoy my little office, which has beautiful natural light from 9 to 5. There’s a beautiful, huge tulip poplar right outside my window.