What ever happened to…

by Beth Skiles ’06

Larry Bradshaw, previously a professor of drama and poetry in the English department, may have retired from formal teaching, but he has not lost his love for words, music, and students.

“I’m still teaching.” Larry said regarding his activities since his retirement. The professor, however, does not mean teaching in a formal setting. Instead, he describes himself as “an informal counselor” to a variety of students who come through the Bob Evans’ restaurant that he frequents. Students from colleges all over the area work at the restaurant and come by simply to chat or to run concerns and questions by him.

When he’s not acting in his role as informal counselor, Larry spends time around his home. Though he is no longer able to play the organ and piano for the St. Andrew Episcopal Church in Shippensburg, he continues to play for his own pleasure. The Bradshaw household is often graced with the music of both the piano and organ.

He also keeps busy by reading the New York Times. When asked why he chooses the Times, Larry explained he feels it is a more scholarly paper than many of his other options.

While some people take pleasure in the Times best sellers, Larry was quick to indicate his reading choices are not taken from a specific list. Instead of the best sellers, he is sticking with some heavier reading. He revealed he recently began the “project” of reading Aristotle’s Nichomachean Ethics.

Unlike many retirees, Larry is not particularly interested in travel. He pointed out his wife, Mary, spends more time traveling than he does. He explained further that his enlistment in the United States Army and a variety of travel opportunities earlier in his life left him with plenty of travel experiences. Although he does not have plans to travel any time soon, he did express an interest in visiting Europe should the opportunity arise.

“I am glad for the passions of my earlier life that sustain me now,” Larry said of his activities since retiring. Though he can no longer be found around campus, he still continues to have the same vigor and love for subjects close to his heart.