Larry was managing editor of the Northeastern News and then editor-in-chief from 1969-1971.
After graduation, Larry worked at the Massachusetts Executive Office of Human Services and, on the side, co-authored a Ralph Nader report about reforming small claims courts published by a group at Harvard.
One group member suggested he apply to Harvard’s School of Education. As he recalls, “Me? Harvard? A Northeastern grad?” Despite his trepidations, he was admitted.
After completing his course work, Larry became chief writer and researcher for Noble Prize winner Gunnar Myrdal, most famous as the author of “An American Dilemma” in 1944, the first analysis of America’s systemic racism. Larry adds, “The book I worked on examined racial progress since publication of the original.”
Around this time, Larry also took voice lessons from a singer who had been the lead in a New York City Opera production. “I wanted to be a rocker, but she saw me as a lieder/Broadway tunes singer,” he says.
After finishing his dissertation, Larry began collaborating on books, including “Minding the Body, Mending the Mind,” which became a New York Times best seller. A few years later, he co-authored another best seller “You Are Not Alone,” a book about depression. “My proudest moment as a writer came when a woman wrote in an Amazon review that she had decided not to kill herself because she read the book.”
More book collaborations and more best sellers followed. He also was an editor of the Harvard Business Review.
Larry then co-founded No Limits Media, a nonprofit whose mission is to show the value and abilities of people with disabilities. “We have produced documentaries with Ken Burns, Tom Hanks and Academy Award winner Geralyn Dreyfus. This past year, we aired “Inclusion at Work” on Bloomberg Television, created, produced, hosted and scored by people with disabilities.”
Along the way, Larry became a godfather to Alex Kelly, who is about to become a father in August. “So, I will soon be a (god) grandfather.”
As for the future? “Keep fighting for people with disabilities. Maybe return to singing. And enjoy my granddaughter, Willow Rose.”
(Larry Rothstein graduated from Northeastern University in 1971 with a degree in Liberal Arts.)