A Legacy of Service: Larry Jones Reflects on His 32-Year Converse Career
Written by Amanda Mathis
When he started his career at 19, Converse University’s Campus Safety Director, Larry Jones, never saw himself in South Carolina. Born outside of Pittsburgh in the small community of Independence, PA, his family moved to West Virginia. In 1978, Jones graduated from high school, began his law enforcement career in Wellsburg, WV, and married his wife, Pam ’15. While in Wellsburg, their two children, Justin and Karissa ’00, were born.
At 22 years old, Jones was a strong leader and became the Chief of Police of Bethany, WV, moving his young family there. Then Bethany College, a private liberal arts college, approached him to serve as their Campus Safety Director.
“It was hard for me to be young, and truly the same age as the college students, while enforcing the new law,” reflected Jones.
The new law – the National Minimum Drinking Age Act, enacted in 1984 – increased the drinking age from 18 to 21. “ I made a few mistakes from trying, but I kept getting back up and trying to remember that each day is a new start.”
The family moved outside of St. Petersburg, FL, in 1988 to Stetson University, where Jones was the Director of Public Safety; then, on March 1, 1993, he stepped onto Converse’s campus to start his work as the Campus Safety Director.
“It was a new challenge coming to a single-gender campus; I tried to be accountable, but not everyone’s Dad,” reflected Jones. “We’ve done some great things at Converse,” said Jones. “The more you do, the more Converse will let you do.”
Over the years, Larry has received cards and notes from Converse students, who update him on their lives.
While here, he has improved the campus with new technologies such as Converse’s emergency alert notifications, body cameras, bulletproof vests/armor, access systems, camera monitoring, and fully equipped patrol vehicles, to name a few. While on campus, he saw his wife ’15, and daughter ’00, pass through the halls as students, and his granddaughter, Alexis Krivicich, will graduate from Converse in 2026.
“All the special people in my life – my wife, son, daughters, and granddaughter- have been a huge support to me, and they have taken a back seat to the University every time there was an urgent need,” said Jones. “I was never a help at home since I was always on campus.”
Throughout his impressive 32-year career at Converse, Larry has demonstrated an unwavering dedication to serve and protect the thousands of students, employees, and community members that he calls his family and this place, which has become home to so many during an impressionable point in their lives. Awarded the 1999-2000 Spirit of Converse Award, he has never worried about the pat on the back because he was actively moving on to the next task.
He saw his wife, and daughter, pass through the halls as students, and his granddaughter, Alexis Krivicich, will graduate from Converse in 2026.
“Larry’s commitment to compassionate service and respect and dignity for every member of the community has undoubtedly helped him navigate the ever-changing demands of his profession and, through this leadership, has enabled Converse to maintain a safe and caring campus over the past several decades,” said Kristin Lacey, Vice President for Operations and Chief Financial Officer. “He will leave behind a strong legacy, the spirit of which will continue to shine in the mission-aligned work of his team and our campus as we all continue this important work to put the safety of our people first.”
Over the years, Larry has received cards and notes from Converse students, who update him on their lives. Recently, he received one from his days in Bethany – 40 years later – from a former student named Hal.
“He heard me on a podcast and tracked down my number to leave me a voicemail,” said Jones. “He wanted to call and thank me for inspiring him to become an environment and safety specialist at a college campus. Those are the moments that make this job special.”
This year, on March 1, 2025, Director Jones will start his next chapter – retirement. He will still keep cheering for the Pittsburgh Steelers, Pirates, and Penguins and will enjoy time with his family at his own pace. Family, friends, Converse faculty, staff, and students gathered in the Wilson Hall lobby on Thursday, February 27 2025,, to share their well wishes and congratulations. Soon after, Campus Safety Director Larry Jones will make his final call, a 10-5.
It has been an honor and a privilege, and Converse thanks you and your family for your three decades of service to our University.