Larmer Wins School of Pharmacy Alumni Achievement Award
As a financial expert, William Larmer has managed the portfolios of business owners, doctors, movie stars, professional athletes, the National Football League, the National Basketball Association and Major League Baseball.
Although he’s not a practicing pharmacist, Larmer credits his success to the rigorous education he received at the University of Missouri-Kansas City’s School of Pharmacy.
“Teachers told me about the many opportunities I had as a pharmacist,” said Larmer, who graduated in 1975 with a Bachelor of Science in Pharmacy. “I was interested in pharmaceutical companies and my teachers helped me pick certain ones. This was a game changer for me.”
Larmer is receiving a UMKC Alumni Achievement Award. Each year, the UMKC Alumni Association presents alumni awards to one honoree from each school and five campus-wide awards at its annual awards luncheon. This year’s event, which will highlight the 80th anniversary of the campus and include the presentation of the 2013 Chancellor’s Medal, will be held on Thursday, April 18, on the UMKC campus. For information and tickets for the event, click here.
Larmer is a frequent speaker who talks to students about career options that await them, both inside and outside the health sciences field. An owner of the Larmer-Elstun financial advisory firm in Lenexa, Larmer has been part of the investment industry since 1979.
“I anticipate great buying opportunities in various investments over the next 10 years,” Larmer said. “I believe many investments will be bought with large discounts due to the poor economy. My personal assets in farm ground I think will grow very well and I’m excited about other buying opportunities in the stock market.”
Larmer, who in 2007 received UMKC’s School of Pharmacy alumni award for outstanding professional service, said the best advice he’s received was from his grandfather, a farmer with an eighth-grade education.
“He said to find something you love to do and do it with a passion,” Larmer said. “He said it’s easy to be average but hard to be at the top. Never give up. Outwork everybody and you will succeed. I found the UMKC School of Pharmacy helped do for me what my grandfather advised.”