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Larry Butler EMBA ’22 didn’t go to college right after graduating from high school despite the option being there for him. He always wanted to work and earn his own money, so he joined the Marines and didn’t look back for another two decades.  

“I’ve always believed that you have to be willing to put in the hard work and sacrifices to get what you want in life, and what I wanted from the military was a chance to get away from home, see what the world had to offer and to see what I was capable of.” 

And the world had a lot to offer: in 21 years, Butler traveled to 31 countries and gained valuable cultural and interpersonal experience through his position in the Marine Corps.  

“My experience with travelling across the globe has allowed me to see culture through a different lens—not what we see on television or online. It has allowed me to develop a deep understanding and respect for the life that other people live.” 

Butler’s learning experiences from traveling with the Marines translates into every aspect of his life, serving as a permanent token of his time spent overseas. 

Continuing Education 

To enhance his opportunities in the Marines while he was serving, Butler decided to continue his education by getting both a bachelor’s degree and master’s degree, both in counseling. He said: “Everybody needs a certain advantage in order to stand out among the crowd, and I realized that mine would be my education.”  

After retiring from the Marines, Butler made the transition into the private sector and decided to pursue an MBA from the MBA for Executives program (EMBA) with the hope of starting his own business. 

“I wanted to take another step into the next chapter of my life and see what was out there, so I decided to look into business school,” said Butler. “I’ve always wanted to start my own business so it just seemed like the right move for me.”  

Butler decided to choose the UCI Paul Merage School of Business for his MBA because of the vigorous yet welcoming atmosphere. He said: “The Merage School has created an environment that is conducive to learning, not just about your team and business but understanding and recognizing your strengths and weaknesses as a leader.” 

Leaving Gold Nuggets  

Despite retiring from the Marine Corps and settling down in California, Butler is still striving to achieve the goals that he sets out for himself. His new journey into the private sector is beginning with the Merage School, but he wants his reputation to precede him everywhere he goes. 

This reputation is something that he hopes will reach the hearts of others, leaving them with what he calls “gold nuggets” of motivation and optimism for the future.  

Butler wants his “gold nugget” to convey this message: “Inspire others to be the best version of themselves.” 

 
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