His dad, who worked for the phone company his entire career, was skeptical when Larry Wardlaw decided to study speech and theater education at IPFW.

"My dad would probably have liked to see me go into a more traditional career, something he could relate to," Ward- law said. "He wasn't critical, just concerned."

But Wardlaw has used his theater major not only to secure gainful employment for himself, he has used his talent to make Fort Wayne a better place to live – for the entire community.

"Bless my father's soul, 30 years later and I'm still using my theater degree every day," he said.

Wardlaw, 63, is a senior vice president for account services with the Asher Agency, a local advertising and public relations firm. He is also a devoted community volunteer who has served an astounding list of civic, charitable and fine arts organizations.

"There are people who make serving on boards a profession," said Tom Borne, president of Asher. "Larry doesn't make it a profession; he's just so in demand."

Friends swear Wardlaw could make a lucrative living emceeing events. He is the go-to person when a charity needs to ensure a fundraiser is successful and fun.

He is also tapped when the assignment is more challenging or controversial. He has a rare ability to bring disparate groups together to complete difficult tasks.

For his volunteer efforts over the years to fight discrimination, improve the lives of those faced with daunting challenges and promote the fine arts in Fort Wayne, Wardlaw is The Journal Gazette's Citizen of the Year.

"If I were any segment of the population, I'd want him to represent me," said Cheryl Ferverda, communications and development manager for the Allen County Public Library. Ferverda, a longtime friend of Wardlaw's, said she calls him when she has a tough situation and needs advice.

"No matter what my cause, I'd want Larry to be my champion because if he does it, it will be done well and it will likely be fun," she said.

Metro

When former Mayor Graham Richard asked Wardlaw to serve on the Metropolitan Human Relations Commission board in April 2002, the agency's admirable mission to fight discrimination was obscured by rampant scandal and soap opera drama.

"It's not a board for the fainthearted," said Maye Johnson, who served on the commission with Wardlaw for six years. "Because you know no matter what decision you make, you are going to upset someone."

Internal strife was damaging the agency, which businesses reviled for too frequently siding against business owners on discrimination claims.

Wardlaw became the fourth new appointee to the commission in as many months. And all commission members were eyeing one another with suspicion.

Johnson said she and fellow commissioner C. Lockwood Marine had several heated disagreements.

"Larry was a voice of reason during that time," she said. "He was one hell of a referee, that's for sure."

She credits Wardlaw, who continues to serve on Metro, with helping her and Marine discover common objectives that ultimately resulted in their becoming strong allies in the effort to improve the organization's effectiveness and repair its reputation.

"One of my strengths is connecting people and bringing the differing elements together. That's most often, for me, done with humor," Wardlaw said. "I think humor can help break down the differences between people in communication."

Wardlaw admits at the time he had some angst about joining the notorious commission. "It's not something people jump to do."

But Borne, Wardlaw's boss, didn't have any concern about any potential negative consequences to his business.

"I think Larry's skill sets are perfect when it comes to Metro," Borne said. "He's not one to arbitrarily take sides. He's got a strong sense of right and wrong. I didn't have any concerns for a very important reason: Larry is the type of person you can always trust 100 percent. He thought it through very carefully."

Passion for service

Volunteering for the American Cancer Society was one of the first causes that drew Ward- law after his mother was diagnosed with cancer.

"It started out a little selfishly," he said. "I wanted to learn more for my mom. Then you get swept away. If you have a passion about something, you want to spend time on it. You want to do your best."

Sadly, his mother died of colon cancer at 56.

"I'm fortunate to have a job that supports and recognizes the importance of working and being involved in the community outside of my work for Asher," Wardlaw said. "As individuals we do have a responsibility to support the community and to give back to the community. I know that sounds really trite and really phony, but it's true. Maybe part of it is that I am single and I do like to fill my time with that."

Another organization that Wardlaw has long supported is the AIDS Task Force. He began volunteering for the group, which educates people about the disease as well as helps local people who are HIV positive or have AIDS, not long after Jack Ryan started the organization.

"That wasn't exactly popular community work at the time," Wardlaw said. "But I applaud our community. We've certainly become more open and supportive."

For 18 years Wardlaw has served on the committee that organizes the Gay Lesbian Dinner Dance, a fundraising event for the AIDS Task Force.

"That's one of his greatest contributions to the task force," said Gregory Manifold, executive director of the non-profit.

Manifold is also grateful for the work Wardlaw did for the AIDS Task Force's 25th anniversary in 2010. The celebration included an extensive list of community events highlighting the arts and a new logo for the organization.

"That was close to my heart because the 25th anniversary was so important to raising awareness of the organization."

In 2010 the Greater Fort Wayne Chamber of Commerce established the Larry Wardlaw Humanitarian Award in honor of his service to the task force. The inaugural recipient was Lutheran Hospital.

Fort Wayne native

"He's a man who loves his community," Manifold said. "He's been here his whole life and he gives back to the community constantly. What better could you want from a Fort Wayne native?"

Wardlaw was born, raised and has lived in Fort Wayne all his life.

"He is recognized as the mayor of the West Central neighborhood, but really his reach goes throughout the community," said Gary Wasson, former director of operations at Grand Wayne Center. Wasson retired in December, and it was Wardlaw who served as emcee for his retirement celebration.

"I've worked with him on a volunteer basis and as a client of his," he said. "He always puts himself 100 percent into whatever he is doing."

Wardlaw helped with the original opening of the Grand Wayne Center in 1985 and with the eight-year process to complete the $40 million expansion of the facility.

"He's done so much for the community in general and the theater community in particular," said Phil Colglazier, executive director for Civic Theatre.

Wardlaw has acted in or directed plays at all the area theaters. His next projects will be appearing in Civic Theatre's production of "Gypsy" in March and then directing a play based on Michael Martone's book "Alive and Dead in Indiana" in June, also at Civic.

"So much of Larry's style and his life have to do with the theater," Manifold said. "On the one hand he is always organized and entertaining, and on the other there is always a message. When I think about how he operates, he has both of those things going on. He's a great entertainer, but also has a great sense of compassion and message. He wants to have a great event, but he also wants to make sure people understand the importance of the message behind the event."

But as much time as Wardlaw spends on the stage, there are times he does not enjoy the spotlight. When asked to discuss his community work, he is loath to take any credit.

"He's a humble guy. Quite frankly, that's part of his charm," Borne said. "He serves this community with such class and style and humility. It's not about Larry. It's about the community. He truly loves this community. Thanks goodness he's in Fort Wayne because we are all better off because of Larry."