Staff Spotlight: Mike Larry
Our March Staff Spotlight is first year advisor, Mike Larry. Mike has held several roles in his 28 years at Carthage including assistant football coach, Johnson Hall director, director of service learning, and director of housing. He settled into his role in the Center for Student Success in 2002.
Mike’s supervisor, Carrie Espinosa, had this to say about Mike, “Mike has played an integral part in the development of the Center for Student Success over the past few years: co-leading improvements to the College Success Seminar curriculum for new students, providing thorough feedback on First Year Advisor candidates, and emceeing our New Student Registration events after the passing of Ryan Ringhand, to name a few key projects. He is steadfast in his dedication to his advisees’ success and a critical thinker when it comes to considering improvements in our operations and program offerings. His experience in advising Carthage students is unmatched, and we appreciate all he does!”
Get to know Mike even more:
What are some things you personally like?
- Jazz music
- Sinatra
- A nice COLD beverage
- A good cigar
- Carrot cake
- Warm summer weekends
- Outdoor concerts
- Motorcycle rides (short ones now)
- Golf
What Don’t you like?
- Long, boring meetings
- Hot summers (mid to high 90s)
- Below zero wind chill
- Mosquitos
How long have you worked at Carthage?
- 28 years and 9 months
What is your favorite TV show, movie, or Book?
- History Channel Vikings Series and Smithsonian Channel (Aerial America)
- “Shawshank Redemption”
- Any book by James Patterson
- ESPN
- The Golf Channel
If you could meet anyone, who would it be?
- Martin Luther King, Jr.
What is your favorite place on Earth?
- “The middle of a fairway on a warm summer afternoon surrounded by mountains with a cold beverage and a good cigar!”
What do you like most about working at Carthage?
- “Helping the students I advise. I enjoy listening to them talk about their future and doing what I can to get them off to a good start.”
What would people never guess you do in your role?
- “Dealing with issues that are no academic in nature.”
Beofre working here, what was the most unusual or interesting job you’ve ever had?
- “I operated a big hydraulic shearing machine at Consumer Steel for about three years. It was a recycling plant that prepared different types of metals for foundries around the state. The machine itself cut everything from I-beams and steel pipes to train cars that were cut to size and fed through the machine.”
If you have a bucket list, what’s the top item on it?
- “To purchase a nice condo overlooking a golf course in Las Vegas with mountain views. My winter getaway.”
Is there anything else you think people should know about you?
- “Not really.”
Thank you, Mike, for all you do for Carthage and our students!