When asked to pinpoint the single greatest contributing factor to his success, this year's Southwestern University Distinguished Alumnus does not hesitate. "I believe you reap what you sow in this world," says Larry Haynes, class of 1972. "I have always tried to focus on how I can help other people, rather than on how other people can help me. In doing this, I have been enriched beyond measure internally, as well as blessed with more than my fair share of external successes."

Larry grew up with his grandmother in Bellmead, Texas in the 1950s and 60s. What he lacked in financial resources, he made up for with a different kind of wealth - what he refers to as common sense and "emotional intelligence." Larry credits this ability to understand what inspires and drives people for enabling his successful 1965 transition from an all-black high school to the then all-white La Vega High School. While he describes the experience as sometimes isolating and challenging, Larry says it also taught him the "importance of a smile and a positive attitude." As he gained confidence in his new surroundings, Larry excelled academically at La Vega, and also eventually in athletics, earning a full baseball scholarship to Southwestern University.

One of the first African American students to enroll at Southwestern, Haynes arrived on campus in the fall of 1968. Though quiet and introspective, he earned the respect of his peers and soon became the President of his dorm and later a resident assistant. He was a highly motivated student and dedicated athlete. Among the mentors and advocates who helped guide him through his journey were faculty members Len Giesecke, Doug Hooker, Jim Bridges and Dean Bill Swift.

Larry says he felt particular affinity for Jim Bridges, a member of the Economics and Business Administration Department. "Mr. Bridges taught me the importance of integrity, quality and customer service, as well as the significance of paying attention to detail." Larry recalls. "Mr. Bridges always rounded down, never up and rarely smiled, but he always had a twinkle in his eye." To this day, Larry says that one of his life's most cherished memories is the sight of his grandmother seated with Professor Bridges at Southwestern's Commencement in 1972, the year Larry received his bachelor's degree in accounting and economics.

Larry's four years at Southwestern were successful in both the academic and athletic realms. As a student, he received the Wall Street Journal and Accounting Excellency Awards, and was selected to Who's Who in Colleges and Universities, as well as several honor societies. As an athlete, he was named All Conference for three years, and served as captain and was named Most Valuable Player for the Pirates from 1971-1972. In fact, two of Larry's fours years were played under the influence of legendary baseball coach Jim Mallon.

During his Southwestern experience, Larry met Cheryl Hughes, also in the class of '72, his best friend and the person who Larry says has made the greatest impact on his development as a well-rounded individual. The couple has been married for 30 years. "Cheryl (formerly a family therapist and Director of Management and Training for several major corporations) is unbelievable," Haynes says. "She is incredibly thoughtful and considerate of others. People who get to know her really appreciate her wisdom, insight and advice - particularly, the artful manner with which she handles people and situations. Much of who I am, I owe to Cheryl's influence. I've benefited tremendously from her knowledge and experiences." Larry and Cheryl have one son, Justin, a sophomore at the University of Arizona.

After graduating from Southwestern and facing a low draft number for the Vietnam War, Haynes attended the U. S. Army's Officers Candidate School. He was commissioned as an officer and stationed in Europe, serving as a Finance Officer, where his economics background supported his primary responsibility-Chief of Economic and Systems Analysis for the US Army's Signal Command in Europe. Larry resigned from his commission in 1976 so both he and Cheryl could return to Texas, and enroll in graduate school at the University of Texas at Austin. There Larry earned a Masters in Professional Accounting with a concentration in Taxation, and Cheryl earned a Masters of Science in Social Work.

In 1978 Larry joined the accounting firm of Ernst & Young, becoming a partner in 1989, and assuming various leadership positions along the way. For much of his career Larry served as a tax partner working primarily with high growth, technology and consumer products companies. He has also served as the Southwest Area Industry Leader for Entrepreneurial Services, Southwest Area Leader of Emerging Growth Markets, and, most recently, Southwest Area Director of Sales and Marketing. Additionally, Larry is the partner in charge of Ernst &Young's Southwest Region Entrepreneur of the Year Program, serves on Ernst & Young's Ethnicity and Diversity Task Force and is the chairperson of the firm's Southwest Area Ethnicity Diversity Advisory Council.

Larry is a two-time finalist for Ernst & Young's prestigious Rosemarie Meschi Award, which honors individuals who have gone above and beyond to support the growth and development of the firm's women. He previously served on the firm's distinguished Partner Advisory Committee, which advises the firm's Americas Executive Board, as well as the firm's Partner Nomination Committee, a committee that selects 18 partners from among more than 2000 to serve on the Partner Advisory Committee.

"I feel supremely fortunate to have attended such a wonderful institution as Southwestern University. The University's core values are very much consistent with my personal values, as well as those of my firm, Ernst & Young," Larry says. "Because I believe the key to success - both personally and professionally - is helping others, I am blessed to be associated with a University so committed to strong core values, and to work with a firm that supports my volunteer efforts to serve the community."

From his earliest days in Dallas in the 1980s, Larry has served on many boards and executive committees of numerous civic and charitable organizations. These include the Dallas Council on Alcoholism, Community Council of Greater Dallas, United Way Budget Committee and Capital Campaign Screening Committee, Dallas Museum of Natural History, Dallas Community College District Foundation. He has also served in board leadership positions for Girls, Inc., Girls Adventure Trails, Salesmanship Club of Dallas, Dallas Assembly, the Homeless Task Force of Dallas, and others.

Larry's dedication to service has resulted in his receiving the 1997 National Eagle Leadership Institute's Eagle Award, an award that recognizes outstanding leadership among African American and Hispanic/Latino executives. He has also received the YWCA's Mentors and Allies Award, an award that honors individuals who offer women encouragement, opportunities and recognition for success in the workplace.

Today Larry continues to serve on numerous boards, including Southwestern University's Board of Trustees, where he is a member the Board's Executive Committee and chairs the Board's Fiscal Affairs and Audit Committees. He recently was appointed as a senior fellow for Future Focus 2020, an independent institute of the Babcock School of Management at Wake Forest University that strives to engage urban communities in futurist thinking.

When calling on clients, Larry likes to ask, "What does winning mean to you?" So, it seemed appropriate to ask Larry what winning means to him. "I am winning if I am doing the Lord's will," Larry says. "For me, this means helping others, giving generously, maintaining a calm and even temperament and otherwise exhibiting the gifts with which I have been blessed. That is the essence of success."