Lawrence Myers Jr. PhD

In his 45-year career at Syracuse University, Lawrence “Larry” Myers touched the lives of countless students and colleagues.

Prior to his extensive career in education, Myers was commissioned in 1942 as a field artillery officer after graduating from Purdue University’s ROTC program. He served in World War II with the 590th and 591st Field Artillery Battalions of the 106th Infantry Division, fighting in the Battle of the Bulge, the Rhineland Offensive, and the Northern Apennines in Italy. Returning to military service in 1950, he joined the 403rd Civil Affairs Company in the reserves, later becoming commanding officer of the 425th Military Intelligence Detachment from 1968 to 1975. He retired as a colonel, receiving the Legion of Merit medal.

After the war, Myers came to Syracuse University, earning a master’s in speech and a Ph.D. in applied statistics. He began teaching in 1946, became chair of the Television, Radio & Film Department in 1963, and served until 1991. He also served as interim dean of the Newhouse School from 1989 to 1990, retired in 1992 as professor emeritus, and later taught abroad for the Division of International Programs Abroad until 2000. Myers was proud to have taught future broadcasting greats Dick Clark, Ted Koppel, Bob Costas, Dick Stockton, Len Berman, Marv Albert, Mike Tirico, Sean McDonough, and many others.

Myers was an early manager of WAER, serving from 1948 to 1951 and again from 1954 to 1957. In 2019, he was honored as the first professor inducted into the WAER Hall of Fame. He was also a generous donor to the University, with gifts supporting numerous schools, colleges, programs and units.