California State University, Bakersfield
Larry Vernon Hallum was born in Bakersfield, California. His parents had migrated from Stidham, Oklahoma, and young Larry attended Arvin Union Elementary and later won the Henry Greve speech contest in 1957 as a representative of Haven Drive Junior High School. He played both football and tennis at Arvin High School, where he also served as senior class vice president. After graduating in 1961, Mr. Hallum attended and played tennis for Bakersfield College, where he received the Bakersfield Lions Club Scholarship. He turned down a full scholarship to Stanford University and chose instead to return to his family’s roots, earning his bachelor’s degree at the University of Oklahoma.
After teaching at Arvin High School for three years, Mr. Hallum volunteered for the draft in 1969. He followed the example of his brother, Barry, and enlisted for two years. He served in reconnaissance in Duc Pho, South Vietnam, earning the Combat Infantryman Badge and achieving the rank of Sergeant E-5. After completing his tour, Mr. Hallum returned to Arvin High School as a teacher.
His lasting impact on, and his investment in, his students are immeasurable. Throughout a teaching career that spanned more than 40 years, Mr. Hallum taught thousands of students, including the children and even the grandchildren of former students. From Room 20, he taught a variety of courses including frosh studies, world civilization, geography, U.S. history, government and economics. He was active in leading student extracurricular activities such as Academic Decathlon and Mock Trial. He launched his beloved “We the People” Constitution team, which he coached from 1987 to 2023, as well as directed the All-Senior Follies for 28 years. Mr. Hallum took great pride in Arvin High School, even requiring his students to learn its alma mater and fight song.
In 1998, Mr. Hallum was named the first recipient of the Jim Burke Teacher of the Year Award. He also was honored as Arvin Chamber of Commerce’s Citizen of the Year, received the key to the City of Arvin and was chosen as one of the 100 Outstanding Alumni of Bakersfield College. He retired from teaching in 2004.
In recognition of his lifelong dedication to the Bakersfield area and to his students at Arvin High School, the Board of Trustees of the California State University and California State University, Bakersfield are proud to confer upon Larry Hallum the posthumous honorary degree of Doctor of Humane Letters.