The attention may also have helped Houston fulfill his mission at Harvard—finding and helping gay students.

Three weeks ago, two Harvard students contacted Alive in Christ, the Park Street Church ministry for Christians “struggling with same-sex attraction” where Houston volunteers.

Next year, Houston will serve as co-leader of the ministry, working two days a week at Alive in Christ and four at Harvard. He predicts “more and more people are going to come and ask for help.”

“I’m going to do more outreach and public speaking in public schools, churches, women’s clubs and that sort of thing,” he said.

Houston also hopes to finish a book next year about research that he says proves “the gay identity is a social construct” as well as about his personal struggles with homosexuality.

This weekend, the outspoken cook is flying to the Ukraine, where he will teach English and, perhaps, find a wife.

“Larry, at 45, is just now learning about the ladies, when most guys learn it at 14 with girls on the back of the school bus,” Houston joked.

Since his trip to the country last summer, Houston has been corresponding with a 33-year-old nurse named Inna and Angela, a divorcee with a 10-year-old son.

Houston says he will date the two Ukrainian women this summer.

“I’m going to force myself. I have no choice,” he said. “They’re chasing me. All I have to do is stop and they’ll catch me.”

Chicken Pot Pie

It wasn’t long before another HUDS employee was making headlines.

Angelo Dalla Santa, then manager of the Lowell and Winthrop House dining halls, was arrested on Nov. 20 for allegedly trafficking 300 pounds of marijuana that authorities estimate is worth about $500,000.

Dalla Santa—a HUDS employee of nine years—was arraigned the following afternoon in the Somerville District Court.

He pleaded not guilty.