91探花

There are two words Dr. Bill Larson鈥檚 colleagues use to describe him: humble and dedicated. 

Before coming to work at 91探花, Larson wore many hats in the public school realm: coach, principal, administrative assistant, assistant superintendent and superintendent. He taught one course at OHIO in 1986, then became an adjunct professor in 1993, a lecturer in 2000, an assistant professor in the tenure track in 2010 and an associate professor with tenure in 2014. Larson is retiring at the end of December 2020, accumulating over 58 years of public service work, with 27 of those at OHIO. 

鈥淚 feel very much blessed that my Maker has allowed me to keep going this long,鈥� Larson said. 鈥淚 feel like I worked in really good programs, and I鈥檝e worked with very supportive colleagues. The University has been very nice to me, and I feel blessed.鈥� 

鈥淒r. Larson is a one-of-a-kind colleague and mentor. His positive professional and personal attributes are exemplary. Dr. Larson works tirelessly and has a way of motivating his co-workers to do their best work,鈥� Linda Fife, director of OHIO鈥檚 Institute for Democracy in Education (IDE) within the Patton College of Education, said. 鈥淗is extensive knowledge, rich sense of history and his ability to relate to others is truly a gift that I feel privileged to witness and learn from.鈥� 

Larson brought his educational practice to OHIO, and in 1994 helped create the 91探花 Leadership Project (OULP), an initiative directed at the professional development of school leaders in Southern Ohio. The idea originated at the time with the then-dean of OHIO鈥檚 Southern Campus. Larson has served as the director of OULP since the beginning. 

OULP had 15 superintendents in the first cohort. Now, 26 years later, the program serves approximately 500 elementary principals, secondary principals, superintendents and treasurers, with two superintendent and two treasurer cohorts. 

鈥淒r. Larson has had a positive impact on hundreds (probably thousands) of school leaders over the span of his career. He exemplifies the importance of building relationships with all stakeholders as one of the keys to succeeding and moving forward,鈥� Fife said. 鈥淒r. Larson is very humble and rarely takes credit, but deserves much credit for the longevity and success of OULP.鈥� 

鈥淚 have worked with Dr. Larson for 26 years. He has been a great colleague and friend to me,鈥� Robin Boyd, OULP administrative assistant, said. 鈥淏ill Larson truly cares about people. OULP is a great networking opportunity for administrators around the area and beyond.鈥� 

Larson credits the success of OULP to the grassroots approach the program takes. Representatives of each cohort decide on topics and speakers for future OULP seminars, therefore addressing the professional development needs of administrators from Southern Ohio. 

鈥淸When the program started], it occurred to me that the way to make this popular was to involve the participants in deciding what the topics would be and who the speakers would be,鈥� Larson said. 鈥淪ince the topics for the seminars are based upon the suggestions of representative participants, I sense that the administrative functions of the participants have been enhanced in a substantive manner.鈥� 

Over the years, Larson does not think he鈥檚 missed many OULP seminars. He has introduced the speakers, made arrangements and worked out details for the seminars. His work has kept the program going for over two decades, continuing to provide relevant information for the needs of educational leaders. 

鈥淥ULP is the primary service I offer, within the realm of research, service and instruction,鈥� Larson said. 鈥淚 like doing it because I was a practitioner for a long time, and so I relate fairly well to the practitioners attending.鈥� 

鈥淒r. Larson has responded to the needs of school leaders to provide needed and requested professional development opportunities in a more local setting. Networking with peers is also a critical component that is part of each OULP seminar,鈥� Fife said. 鈥淒r. Larson has seen this need and provided an opportunity for this critical interaction to occur.鈥�

After Larson鈥檚 retirement, Fife will take over as the director of OULP. As director of IDE, she and Larson have partnered together on several occasions. 

鈥淚 feel blessed to turn the leadership of the OULP to Linda Fife,鈥� Larson said. 鈥淏y having been a participant in and a leader of the OULP, she is extremely well situated to be its director.鈥�

鈥淚 hope that the OULP will continue to thrive and meet the needs of the participants. With the assistance of administrative associate, Robin Boyd, the OULP will remain a valuable resource for area school leaders,鈥� Fife said. 鈥淚 wish Dr. Larson all the best as he starts this new chapter on his life鈥檚 journey. I hope he will find new things that bring him happiness and joy. Dr. Larson will be missed.鈥�

Larson鈥檚 OULP legacy is felt not only with his colleagues, but also by the many students he taught over the years that are now educators. 

鈥淒r. Larson used real examples of the Dr. Stephen Covey practice of 鈥榮eek first to understand.鈥� Now, I encourage my staff to listen first 鈥� actively and intently listen. Dr. Larson taught us about 鈥榖uilding a bridge鈥� and allowing us a connection to others, or sometimes giving the other person an out,鈥� said David Ashworth, MED 鈥�13, assistant principal at Ironton Elementary School. 

鈥淒r. Larson's work ethic has always inspired me throughout my career. His strong guidance and belief in me as an administrator made a huge impact both personally and professionally. He is a truly remarkable educator who has made such a difference throughout our entire state. Although I wish all future administrators were trained through his program, I am very happy for Dr. Larson as he reaches this milestone,鈥� said Angie Lafon, BSED 鈥�00, MED 鈥�06, principal of Dawson-Bryant Elementary School. 鈥淐ongratulations and best wishes.鈥�

鈥淭o say Dr. Larson positively impacted my education and career is an understatement. I consider Dr. Larson one of the single greatest influences I鈥檝e had in my time as a student and as an educator, and I think even more highly of him as a person and friend,鈥� said Circleville City School District superintendent Jonathan Davis, MED 鈥�12. 鈥淚 also know hundreds of others that think of him in this regard. Congratulations, Dr. Larson, and thank you.鈥� 

鈥淥nce you are a student of Dr. Larson鈥檚, you have the wonderful benefit of always being under his wing,鈥� said South Central Educational Service Center superintendent Sandy Mers, MED 鈥�98 (elementary education), MED 鈥�05 (educational administration). 鈥淗is continued mentorship along with his kindness have had such a positive influence in my career. He is one of a kind.鈥� 

鈥淚 owe so much my success as an administrator to Dr. Larson. He has been a teacher, mentor and a friend. Dr. Larson helped me develop as an administrator and as a person. I will always cherish the fact that I was able to be one of his students,鈥� said West Brown Local Schools District superintendent Raegan White, MED 鈥�02. 鈥淏est wishes today and in the future.鈥�

Larson is unsure what retirement will bring, but looks forward to the extra time with his wife, Nancy, and daughter, Sarah, and hopes to do volunteer work to serve others after the pandemic is over.