Issue date: 2/25/09 Section: News

Media Credit: Christine Soriaga Rev. Alvin Larke conducts class Tuesday in Scoates Hall. Larke was the first full-time black professor to be hired at Texas A&M University. He says the road has been difficult, but fulfilling. [Click to enlarge]

Rev. Alvin Larke has been a mentor, teacher and friend to his students in and outside of the classroom because of his bi-vocational background.

"[Texas A&M] sought me out. I applied, got a call, interviewed and that was it," said Larke of the Agricultural Leadership, Education and Communications Department.

He was the first full-time black professor to be hired at Texas A&M from an assistant professorship, and his wife was able to accompany him and work in the department on teaching, learning and culture. And though they have been at A&M since 1984, it hasn't always been easy.

"No one should think we don't face adversities in life. As a person of color, we wonder if things are done because of our color or if people do them just to do them," Larke said.

He said there can be difficult students for whatever reason, but they are not the source of the issues he and his wife have had to face. In fact, Larke was nominated by students for the faculty distinguished award in 1993.

"Unless I'm treated very unfairly by students, I don't worry about the adults," he said.

Larke said the University has changed drastically in diversity issues.

"There are more people of color now than there were in 1984. I'm proud of Vision 2020. A&M is headed in the right direction," Larke said. "If things continue going the way they are, one day we will be in the top 10 percent, but it's a step-by-step process."

And with the change in diversity, there appeared to be a change in attitude. He linked this attitude change with a societal change.

While teaching at A&M, Larke has inspired some of his students to witness him teaching in a different manner - as a preacher. Larke has been preaching since 1982.

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