Darold W. Larson (1961- )

The dedication of Brother Darold W. Larson, Washington State '81 to Acacia is unsurpassed, and his achievements many. Darold served the Fraternity as Executive Director for 25 years and continues to serve as Executive Director of the Acacia Fraternity Foundation. He is a past president of the Fraternity Executives Association and has been recognized by the Interfraternity community with the prestigious North-American Interfraternity Conference Gold Medal, only the second Acacian to receive such an honor.

Brother Larson began his tenure on the Acacia Headquarters staff as a Leadership Consultant in 1984. Since then, he has been recognized with the Order of Pythagoras (1985), the Award of Merit (1990), and the George F. Patterson, Jr. Outstanding Alumnus Award (2002). Darold is also the creator of the Acacia Leadership Academy which dates back to 1991, and as such the International Council has named the event in his honor, the Darold W. Larson Acacia Leadership Academy.

Past International President Gerald C. Cook, Shippensburg '66, sums it up best:

"Volunteer leaders come and go, but long-tenured staff are the glue, vision, and institutional memory that help organizations, especially fraternities, survive and succeed. I am sure that Acacia's present and future would not be as strong and optimistic as it is without Darold's many and diverse leadership contributions."

Darold continues to serve Acacia and advocate for the entire Fraternity movement throughout both his professional and personal life. He is sure to have an Acacia story or metaphor to provide guidance to all Acacians as they travel along life's pathway.