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Larry J. Frederick, B.A. Management, 1988

A native of Indiana, Larry Frederick is alive today because of the kindness of more than 100 strangers. Educated in Seymour, Indiana and Northern California, Frederick enlisted in the Marine Corps and was shipped overseas to Vietnam. His enlistment was completed in Okinawa as a liaison noncommissioned officer between the United States Marine Corps and the United States Armed Forces. He received the Vietnam Campaign Ribbon and Good Conduct Medal prior to being honorably discharged.

Frederick completed his general education for an AA degree at Contra Costa Junior College and in the fall of 1971 enrolled in the Oakland Police Academy. As a "rookie" he was awarded the department's Medal of Merit for attempting to save the life of a drowning victim. For the next 12 years he was an exemplary figure in the department and was a recipient of the department's Distinguished Service Award.

While on duty, August 21, 1982, Frederick was permanently disabled in a traffic accident. A DUI driver speeding at 65 MPH struck him as he was speaking to a stopped motorist. The outcome was a need for 110 units of blood, nine major surgeries to repair extensive injuries and mandatory retirement. However, Frederick refused to let personal tragedy keep him down. Following his surgery, extensive rehabilitation and physical therapy, Frederick came to SSU in the fall of 1984 as part of a vocational rehabilitation program offered through his employer. He chose to focus his studies on management with a special emphasis in marketing and received his BA in 1988. He credits his success at SSU to the many inspirational professors, foreign exchange students and staff he encountered daily, especially Jan DiPiero in the Disability Resource Center and George Johnson of the business administration department. Of them he says "these two individuals touched and inspired me through their selfless help and constant encouragement." He then opened his own business, AFV & Associates, a marketing consultancy.

While working with non-profits such as Easter Seals and the California Blood Centers, Frederick an ardent blood awareness advocate and his mission in life became evident as he began to touch and inspire people with his own message of courage, hope and personal triumph. Frederick used a bicycle to help his own rehabilitation following his injury, and what came to follow is a phenomenal series of public service quests which he organized, promoted and led. December 1992 was the start three annual "Miracle Rides", one day 75-100 mile bike trips in Sonoma County, to thank his donors and raise dollars and awareness. June 1995 brought "Ability Across California" a 1,000 mile bike trek in 10 days, dedicated to uniting communities on behalf of those in need of emergency blood supplies and to police officers who had died in the line of duty. June 1996 saw the advent of "Life Across America", a nationwide blood drive with Larry and his son riding 4, 266 miles for the cause. The ride culminated with an acknowledgment from President Clinton in Washington D. C. in the Oval Office at the White House, and 191 blood drives gathering 75,000 units. As a result of this effort, the American Association of Blood Banks awarded Frederick their prestigious President's Award. June 1997 brought another nation-wide blood drive, "Five Points of Life", with Larry riding 2,800 miles with 12 LifeSouth team members which finished in Gainesville, FL, resulting in the raising of another 6,340 units of blood donations and more than 7,557 bone marrow/organ donor registrants. This February, the "Larry Frederick Award" was initiated by America's Blood Center, giving recognition to an individual for his/her contribution to the independent volunteer blood community.

Frederick is a member of the board of the Blood Bank of the Redwoods in Sonoma County Directors and a Trustee for the California Fraternal Order of Police, Lodge #17, in the San Francisco Bay Area. He lectures throughout the United States on behalf of blood awareness. He and his wife live in Santa Rosa and have six children.