Trustee Emeritus Gregory Larkin Honored
President Lee Eliot Berk (left) with Trustee Emeritus Gregory Larkin.
In their final meeting of 1999, Berklee's board of trustees voted unanimously to establish a named scholarship in honor of Trustee Emeritus Gregory Larkin to mark his significant contribution to music education. The scholarship commemorates Larkin's service as the board's founding chair from 1966 to 1970, his work with the Office of Financial Aid from 1970 to 1975, and a decade of service as a trustee from 1975 to 1985.
A Massachusetts native, Larkin, now 95, began working as a clarinetist and saxophonist at 14. He played professionally through the Depression years in a variety of situations, including classical performances and accompanying silent movies and burlesque shows. Later, he became a training officer for the Veterans Administration in charge of music schools.
Larkin met Berklee founder Lawrence Berk after World War II when Larkin was actively helping WWII veterans who wanted to study the Schillinger System with Berk to obtain G.I. Bill benefits. Larkin has been a strong advocate for Berklee ever since.
Larkin spends winters in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, and still plays with a band that performs monthly. Of the scholarship named in his honor he remarked, "It's very nice indeed--and a big surprise."
