Kickin' it with Barefoot Larry

Larry Rodriguez is no different from your run-of-the-mill Austin Community College student. He is open minded and is the tangible version of "Keep Austin Weird."

An avid aficionado of "The Three Stooges," Rodriguez introduces himself as "Larry with the Moe haircut." He is well known by the students and staff around the Cypress Creek campus. Even the clerks at the nearby 7-11 say hello when he goes to get snacks between classes.

Many of the students at CYP know him as "Barefoot Larry" for reasons that are pretty obvious. When asked about his lack of sole, he replies, "I was born without shoes, were you born with 'em?"

He'd rather choose to lose the shoes. "I seldom wear shoes, I even drive barefoot. It's not illegal. I could even drive naked if I wanted to, but I'd never put anyone through that."

Like many students, Rodriguez has Attention Deficit Disorder. He is also deaf, but you'd never know it unless he told you. He is a fantastic lip reader.

Despite his handicap, he does very well in school with the help of a scribe who takes notes in class for him.

Rodriguez is 47 years old, married 17 years and has attended ACC for one year.

"I like the kids' enthusiasm. Life is just starting for them, mine is dwindling down. The kids respect me though, and it gives me a positive outlook on life."

Rodriguez said he wants to receive an associate's degree and hopes to get a job involving computer graphics, since he can no longer work for the Industrial Optics Manufacturing Company due to a severe shoulder injury. He spent 12 of his earlier years getting stung thousands of times as a beekeeper and also gained experience in masonry and woodwork. In fact, he renovates and repairs his own home.

"If I had only one thing to say to the students here, it would be to remember why they're here, to learn the things that they never knew before," said Rodriguez. "Don't give up the desire to learn."

Whether a result of his Native American heritage or his close relationships with people, he has a good head on his shoulders. It is hard to forget words of wisdom from a man who has more faith in students than they have in themselves.