To be named Alumnus of the Year at Houghton University, one must have made a significant contribution to his fellow man throughout all areas of his life. He must demonstrate outstanding accomplishments in his career, maintain an active interest in his alma mater, and represent well the mission and ideals of Houghton University.

Gareth Larder, better known as Gary, is a graduate of the Houghton Class of 1962 and is exactly the type of alumnus deserving of such recognition.

As a student at Houghton, Mr. Larder involved himself heavily in intramural athletics on campus, participating in baseball, basketball, track, football and soccer. He’s known to have written for the Houghton STAR, not surprisingly contributing as Sports Editor and a sports writer.

Upon finishing his bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from Houghton in 1962, he went on to complete an MBA at the University of Rochester. He spent his career at Xerox Corporation, holding numerous positions throughout his tenure. When he retired in 1996, Mr. Larder served Xerox as Controller, Financial Planning and Analysis for the United States Marketing Division. He, indeed, excelled to the top of the field in his chosen career.

Today, Mr. Larder sits on the board for Rochester Community Baseball, Inc., and he currently serves as Chairman of the Board. Mr. Larder has been widely recognized for his service with Rochester Community Baseball. Under his leadership, the organization has received the John H. Johnson Award for the best Triple-A baseball organization in the nation, the Prism Award for the best operation in all of minor league sports, and Ball Park Digest’s award for “Ongoing Excellence.” In 2007, Mr. Larder was elected to the Rochester Red Wings Hall of Fame.

Mr. Larder has received the Morrie Silver Award for community service to Rochester sports, and was elected to the Frontier Field Walk of Fame. He’s been named ESL Volunteer of the Year, received the Lifetime Member Award from the Rochester Baseball Historical Society, the Bowie Kuhn Award for service to the national Baseball Chapel organization, and the Donald Hollender Award for sportsmanship, character and achievement.

His dedication to serving the sports community in Rochester is truly exceptional.

Outside of his responsibilities with Rochester Community Baseball, Mr. Larder serves on the National Advisory Board for Baseball Chapel, the Board of Trustees for the United Church, Canandaigua, and currently sits on the Board of Trustees for Houghton University.

Houghton University president Wayne D. Lewis stated, “Gary Larder exemplifies service and commitment to Houghton and to Christ-centered higher education. His service and commitment are most visibly manifested in his continued partnership and investment in the work of the University. Less visible is his tireless service on the Houghton Board of Trustees. As an active and faithful member, chair of the finance committee and member of the Board’s executive committee, Gary is highly engaged in the ongoing work of the institution.”

Fellow trustee and former board chair, John Lee, says of Mr. Larder, “Gary exemplifies the quiet confidence of a Houghton alumnus. He serves Houghton in many ways but perhaps the most important way as Chairman of the Finance Committee on Houghton’s Board of Trustees. Gary has been a leader in helping the board excel in its role of fiduciary responsibility to the institution.”

As a trustee of Houghton University, Mr. Larder served on both the Finance Committee and the Audit Committee. He additionally serves on the board of the Willard J. Houghton Foundation, and has been a long-time volunteer for the One Day Giving Challenge. During the recently completed $70 million comprehensive IMPACT campaign, Mr. Larder served on the Advisory Team. Mr. Larder is a 15-year member of the 1883 Society, faithfully and generously contributing to needed projects and programs across campus. He has supported enrollment efforts, alumni directories, and has spoken on campus to students at BEST Talks. His dedication to Houghton University is apparent to all.

According to President Emerita Shirley Mullen, “Gary is deeply committed to Houghton’s tradition as a residential Christian college of high academic quality. He is highly conscious of Houghton’s role as an example of Christian witness in Western New York. He’s especially interested in projects that improve the lives of our students, and never asks for something of his choosing, but rather what the administration thinks is best, projects that included renewing spaces in our Health Center and the building of Larder Courtyard, named in his honor.”

President Emerita Mullen goes on to say, “Gary’s comments were always helpful. He never used his role to draw attention to himself or promote dissent among the Trustees. He always sought to figure out how to best promote Houghton and partner with the administration to forward the Mission. He never wanted credit for himself. I had to argue with him to accept the name on the courtyard, and the only thing that convinced him was the point that allowing us to use his name would encourage others to generously give as well.”

President Lewis also shares,

Some of the things I value most about Gary are his wise counsel and his continual encouragement and support. When Gary shares, we listen; not only because we have such respect for who he is and all that he has done for the institution, but because his wisdom and experience continue to be of such incredible value to me and Houghton’s executive leadership team.

For the countless ways he has served his community and his alma mater, for his exemplary professional career and dedication to living out a life of scholar-servanthood, it is a privilege to name Mr. Gary Larder the 2022 Houghton University Alumnus of the Year.