Alumni Spotlight: Larry Stephenson (1962–1963)

Sometimes, all it takes is a small question to change the course of a life. For Larry Stephenson, that question came on an ordinary summer day at a plant nursery in Phoenix, Arizona: "Is there a college in Wenatchee?"

As the oldest of eight children in a working-class family, college had never been part of the conversation growing up. Larry graduated from high school ranked near the bottom of his class, and higher education seemed like a distant dream. But that one encounter with a customer from Wenatchee and a trip to the Phoenix Public Library to look up Wenatchee Valley College set something in motion.

By August 1962, Larry had packed everything he owned into his 1954 Chevy and drove more than a thousand miles north, arriving at WVC with little more than hope and determination.

The staff at the Admissions Office welcomed him warmly, without judgment, and gave him the start he needed. WVC’s instructors challenged him to reach higher. They expected real college-level work and showed him that he was absolutely capable of it. Larry immersed himself in campus life, joining the track team and traveling across Washington for meets, building friendships with fellow students who helped him feel at home.

Though he spent just one year at WVC, the impact was lasting. That year proved to Larry that he could succeed in higher education, giving him the foundation to transfer to Arizona State University, where he earned his Bachelor of Science degree in 1966. But WVC gave him something even more important: a lifelong love of learning.

Larry went on to earn his master's degree at Arizona State and his Ph.D. from the University of Cincinnati. His career led him from the University of Hawai'i at Hilo, where he served as a professor, to a long tenure as a professional planner in Arizona, working with tribal nations and supporting reservation-based economies. He also served for ten years as an elected member of the Gila Community College Governing Board, a role that reflects his belief in the power of accessible education.

His advice to current students carries the wisdom of a life shaped by resilience and learning: "There are no pre-set academic paths; part of the joy is wandering and finding what truly interests you. Try to view life through the windshield, not the rear-view mirror. But always remember where you came from — and find ways to give back."