I believe in my Country, because it is a land of freedom and because it is my own home, and that I can best serve that country by “doing justly, loving mercy, and walking humbly with my God.”

When retired Brig. Gen. Larry Davis joined ROTC at Auburn University, he had no idea he’d spend more than 31 years serving in the Army.

“I found I liked working with soldiers and the challenges that a military career offered,” said Davis, ’74 industrial engineering. “I found my niche.”

After retiring from the military, he joined HNTB, a civil engineering firm, as senior vice president in Huntington Beach, California.

Despite being in a new setting, he was quickly able to apply his leadership style.

“Everyone thinks a military officer is going to be a regimented boss who expects absolute obedience,” he said. “That was not my leadership style. The secret to my success is to surround yourself with good people and give them the freedom to do their job.”

Larry served on the Department of Industrial and Systems Engineering Alumni Advisory Council and currently serves on the Auburn Alumni Engineering Council. He and his wife, Barbara, ’72 education, give to scholarships to both the colleges of engineering and education.

“I believe the Army values build upon the values that the Creed embraces,” Davis said. “As I got more involved with Auburn again and started comparing the Army values with the values Auburn inculcates in its students and faculty, it’s a great fit.”