Kappa Kappa Psi hosts party, shares memories of director

Larry Archambo, professor of music, was honored for his many years of hard work and dedication April 20 at the Sikes Lake Center.  Students were able to share their appreciation and memories with the professor during the retirement party. The event was hosted by the Gamma Alpha Chapter of Kappa Kappa Psi

First year graduate student Norma Rodriguez met Archambo in 2007 when she joined the MSU marching band. As a music education major, Rodriguez had several classes with the retiree.

“He was not only my professor for many music courses including band, but a great mentor through my undergraduate program and even still today,” she said.

The party had about 100 guests including other faculty members and current students as well as alumni.

Many members of Kappa Kappa Psi worked hard to make this event a success. Kappa Kappa Psi member Ben Miller led the social committee in organizing the event, while chapter president Mario Ramirez played an important role with final details and  Rodriguez, chapter treasurer, handled the catering.

“We had Aramark cater our event. They provided a full Italian meal with good variety of selections at a great rate,” Rodriguez said.

Archambo’s past students were also glad to support him during the party. Alumni Delilah Gonzales has known Archambo for 7 years, and she had the privilege of having him as a teacher every semester she was at MSU.

“You can’t know an educator for that long and not go to a celebration honoring a man who has taught and changed the lives of hundreds of students,” she said.

Gonzales isn’t the only one who has great memories about Doc A. Rodriguez remembers in vivid detail her favorite memory about the retiring band director.

“My favorite memory about Dr. Archambo had to be when we were at the Alamodome in San Antonio as an exhibition band in 2007,” she said.

What happened next would change Rodriguez’s life forever. Archambo had a banner that he had the students hold and take a picture with for nationals. The banner asked ‘Can we join Kappa Kappa Psi?’.

“This picture was taken with fifty-plus interested band members, including myself, and it was sent to national headquarters along with our request for colonization paperwork,” said Rodriguez.

Past MSU drum major Ashley Hollingsworth was also there to show her gratitude.

“He was my instructor in the MSU marching band and pep band for the 6 years I was involved,” she said. “Now he is a mentor and a lifelong friend.”

Hollingsworth was glad to see Archambo before he leaves but knows he will be greatly missed by everyone.

“I will miss Doc A’s sense of humor most, he is a college kid at heart,” she said.

In the support shown during Saturday’s festivities everyone could see that MSU’s music students will be losing a great teacher as well as friend.

“He ran a great program and made it fun to go to band every day,” Gonzales said. “I’m glad that I got to be part of the Archambo legacy.”