Larry Frederick leaves Emory feeling blessed by the experience

Larry Frederick is retiring this month after 19 years at Emory. He first came to the University in 1993, where he started in the School of Medicine as a temporary employee. In January 1994, Larry was hired in the library as an accounting clerk. In 1995, Larry was promoted to Accounting Assistant Senior. He took a break for a few years from 2000 to 2004, then rejoined us in 2004 as a budget analyst, a position that he has held with the library ever since.

Larry has been an integral part of the library finance organization. He has been the leader in both the conversions to Aleph then to Alma.  Larry has always been committed to both the library and Emory. He will be missed as many have relied on Larry for his experience and expertise.

The following is an interview we conducted as he prepares to leave:

Question: What are some of the highlights of your time here?

Larry: Highlights would have to be being elected president of the employee council in 2000, just before leaving to become the CFO at a local 501C3, then receiving the Award of Distinction when I returned to Emory.

Question: What made you choose this career path?

Larry: After a tour in the US Air Force I decided to attend college on the GI Bill, to study music. I successfully completed a couple of accounting courses and was advised by an instructor to focus on being an accountant and a musician on the weekends.

This was great advice and I became an accountant at Philadelphia Coca-Cola to begin my career.

Question: Where are you from originally and what brought you to Emory?

Larry: I’m originally from Mount Olive, NC, where the best-selling brand of pickles in US grocery stores is produced.

Question: What is next for you?

Larry: Focus on family, traveling, doing music with my brothers and friends, along with taking time to relax.

Question: Is there anything else you would like to say about your time at Emory?

Larry: Emory allowed my wife, Portia, and I to have fulfilling careers and also, via the courtesy scholarship, enabled our daughter Nikki to complete her undergraduate studies before going on the get her master of science degree in public health at UGA.

Emory University has allowed me to meet some great people and to be a part of accomplishing some great things. I feel truly blessed to have had this opportunity!