Larry B. Stillman Scholarship

Larry had a long and distinguished career at International Paper, which at the time was a component of the DJIA. He retired as a Senior Vice President at International Paper. He was also a gifted and disciplined investor, consistently earning returns that would embarrass most full-time portfolio managers. He is remembered by many as a focused and driven leader. Others remember him as a mentor with a gift for giving exceptional career guidance and providing understated correction.

Larry had an exceptional mind for business, but his heart belonged to the arts—especially music, painting, and sculpture. He was fond of quoting John Adams, who said (paraphrased here): “I must study politics and war, that my children may be free to study math, science, agriculture and commerce, in order to give their children the ability to study painting, poetry, sculpture, and music.” He never considered earning money an end goal, but a means to make the world a lovelier place.

While serving a church mission in Berlin, Germany, Larry B. Stillman fell in love with a popular non-alcoholic drink that local Germans and fellow missionaries knew as Fassbrause. After completing his three-year mission, he stayed in Germany and purchased the right to sell it in the United States under the name Apple Beer. Upon his return, Larry launched Apple Beer as a college student at the University of Utah. The company is now run by his Daughter, Ashley Simmons.

In addition to being an entrepreneur, Larry had a long and distinguished career in the paper industry. He started as a salesman for Dixon Paper before moving into management. He went on to facilitate the sale of Dixon Paper to International Paper.

Larry Stillman left a legacy of giving as a lifelong supporter of many causes, but especially Olympus High School, the University of Utah, Southern Utah University, and the Southern Utah Museum of Art.

While named and endowed positions are somewhat common in higher education, what is unique is how this position was funded. The Larry B. Stillman Director of Entrepreneurship is funded by two sources: A gift Larry gave to the entrepreneurship program prior to his death, which at the time was done anonymously. Second, the individuals who were touched by his life.

If your life was improved by Larry B. Stillman join us in making a donation in his honor. Our goal is to raise $100,000. Your gifts are already having an impact!