Larry Metzger arrived at Ithaca College in 1975. He would be here still had he not been stricken with pancreatic cancer, to which he lost a courageous battle in 2008. Although Larry’s departure was untimely, his accomplishments during his 33 years at the College will remain a lasting legacy to his energy and foresight.

Beginning as a research assistant in the Office of Institutional Research, Larry was named director of that department in 1983. Nine years later, he was appointed director of institutional research and enrollment planning, supervising the offices of admission, financial aid, the registrar, and institutional research. He became dean of enrollment planning in 1996, adding the bursar’s office to his reporting structure. As Larry’s responsibilities increased, so did the national profile of the College and the talent and diversity of its student body.

An innovative leader and astute manager, Larry was instrumental in the College’s implementation of HomerConnect, a web-based student and faculty information system that allows online registration, grade posting, and other activities. Realizing the need to keep recruitment efforts fresh and relevant, Larry championed such bold initiatives as IC Peers, a social networking site for accepted IC students, and Fuse, a student-written publication for prospective students and their families. Larry was also a founding board member of the Independent 529 Plan, a national prepaid tuition initiative.

According to coworkers and colleagues, Larry’s commitment to the College was extraordinary.
“He had a lifelong love affair with Ithaca College,” said one.

“With regard to Ithaca College, he was a visionary,” added another. “He bled Bomber blue.”

“Numbers are a way to understand the enrollment process,” said a third. “But students were never numbers to Larry. With Larry, it was always about human beings.”

To honor that spirit of compassion and concern, those colleagues have joined Larry’s family
and friends in establishing the Larry Metzger, M.S. '87, Memorial Scholarship at Ithaca College. A lasting honor to Larry’s accomplishments, the scholarship will be awarded annually to a rising junior or senior majoring in biology, biochemistry, or chemistry who has a demonstrated financial need and intends to pursue an advan-ced degree in science other than medicine.

Larry is survived by his wife, Sarah, and their children, Tom '02 and David '05.