11-03-99 Eastern Echo

Meet Larry Vaughn: Pray-Harrold's ambassador of good will

The number on the door is 501. I'm searching for Larry Vaughn, the resident custodian at Pray-Harrold. You might have seen him in the halls here, talking to the students and teachers who rely on Larry's blend of good nature and efficiency to keep the biggest building of classrooms running like a well oiled machine. Likely, he's given you a smile and nod as you passed him on your way to classes. My knock is answered promptly and I'm greeted by Larry's sunny welcome as I introduce myself. The room is small, the floor is clean, and in the corner there is tidy desk and two chairs that he motions me toward, the grin never leaving his face. "I knew you were coming, Melinda told me you were looking for me," he says as he sits in the chair across from me. The person he refers to is the Facilities Manager at EMU's Physical Plant, Melinda Ostrander. At the beginning of this series of profiles on "Great People at EMU," I mentioned the man who worked at Pray Harrold but was saddened that I didn't know his name. Melinda immediately contacted me and told me about him. "The Pray Harrold custodian to whom you refer is Larry Vaughn, and I consider him to be the Physical Plant's ambassador to Pray Harrold," she said. "Larry's face is synonymous with Pray Harrold, and even on the chilliest winter's day, his ready smile can make an otherwise large and impersonal building feel a little warmer." Larry appreciates the compliment. "I get along real good with people. Students and teachers and management, they know who I am," he says.	 Larry's responsibilities include general maintenance of the building during class hours, but he believes he is much more than just a man who cleans the floors. He says, "My job is sort of PR, too. I like to be out with the kids and communicate with them. I enjoy them a whole lot." And on many days you'll see him out in the halls doing just that, making a connection with the student body of EMU. As we sit in this tiny room it becomes apparent that Larry's enthusiasm for his work is measureless. He's a "people person," to coin an old phrase. He loves what he does, and that makes his long days pass quickly. He says, "Everyone wants to know, 'Do you ever stop working?' and I tell them no. I'd rather work than just sit back. Time goes by real slow if you don't work." And slow down is something he has no intention of doing. Besides his job at EMU, Larry also has his own small custodial business, cleaning offices. It's not unusual for him to work 11 hours a day, seven days a week. When he's not working, Larry likes to go to concerts and listen to jazz. He enjoys college football and hopes one day to travel to a bowl game featuring one of his two favorite teams-U of M or Michigan State. Barry Fish, dean of the college of Arts and Sciences can attest to Larry's love of sports. He says, "[Larry] closely follows EMU and Detroit sports teams and always has an interesting comment about the players and games. He's among the most pleasant and reliable people who has done work in our office." Many of Larry's relatives live in the Ypsilanti area and have ties to Eastern Michigan University. His uncle was John Burton, Ypsilanti's first African-American mayor and a regent at EMU. His cousin owns Puffer Red's, downtown's most recognizable clothing and goods store. The owners of Lucille's Funeral Home are relatives, and in addition his cousin and uncle work at Eastern. He has three daughters, and one of them has plans to attend EMU. Sometimes a large university can be intimidating. It can seem cold and remote when you first venture its vast hallways. What makes Larry Vaughn one of the "Great People at EMU" is his ability to humanize this large, impersonal institution through his cheerful attentiveness to the little things. If you've ever had one of the vending machines eat your money, you know how frustrating it is to walk away empty handed-and hungry. Larry invariably will materialize, offer his own money to replace what you've lost, and square up with the vending machine manager later in the day. A small gesture, but meaningful. Because of Larry's dedication to the university community in general, and Pray Harrold specifically, we feel as welcome here as we would at the home of a good friend. Thank you Larry Vaughn for showing us the face of generosity and congeniality. Your efforts are worthwhile and meaningful to those of us who walk the halls of this great university. At the close of our interview I asked him what was the most exciting thing that ever happened to him at Eastern. I expected to hear about some weather induced power outage, or a water main break, or some other havoc-creating natural disaster. But he didn't hesitate. He said, "Well, this is."   If you would like to nominate someone to be profiled in this series, "Great People at EMU," please contact Linda Haffey by dropping a letter at the Echo offices or by email to [email protected]. Please include your phone number or email address so that your nomination can be verified.