COUGAR KINDNESS IN ACTION
Sgt. Leonard Ganther’s Heartwarming Gesture Reinforces UH Spirit and the Power of Simple Acts
On a hot day in late summer in a parking lot at the University of Houston at Sugar Land, a simple act would prove that the Cougar spirit is alive and well, and that Coogs truly care.
Tammy Cleary, a proud 1986 graduate of the C. T. Bauer College of Business and the mother of a Conrad N. Hilton College of Global Hospitality Leadership graduate, had a mission: Find the perfect gift for her son's baby shower. The gift? A UH onesie, symbolizing the family's deep-rooted connection to Houston and UH. She made several unsuccessful attempts to locate the onesie in stores near her home before she had to travel out of state for the shower.
Sgt. Leonard Ganther II
Sgt. Leonard Ganther II
Then came a chance meeting with UH Police Sergeant Leonard Ganther II. The two met while at the UH at Sugar Land campus. The baby shower was fast approaching and Cleary was running out of time, so she asked him if he knew where she might find a UH onesie for her future granddaughter.
“He gave me the answer I did not want to hear .... up at the main campus,” Cleary wrote as she recounted the meeting in a letter to UH Police Chief Ceaser Moore Jr.
Ganther said he would be at UH the following day and surprised her by offering to search the campus store on her behalf. The next day, they reconvened at the parking lot in Sugar Land. Ganther, presented her not with one, but four UH-branded baby outfits. As Cleary reached for her purse, Ganther stopped her, insisting it was a gift.
“I like doing good things for good people.”
“What kind of person does that for a complete stranger? One extremely generous, kindhearted angel, that is who!” Cleary said in her letter. “Needless to say, I was shocked and very grateful!! I do not think he will ever know how thankful and appreciative I was and am of his kindness, so I wanted you to know. You have a gem in Sgt. Ganther.”
“What kind of person does that for a complete stranger? One extremely generous, kindhearted angel, that is who!”
Cleary said it was not just about the outfits; it was the sentiment, the effort and the genuine care that mattered. Through his act, Ganther not only displayed the spirit of UH but also demonstrated the profound value of a single gesture.
“Sergeant Ganther’s assistance to a member of the UH community reflects positively on his character,” said Chief Moore. “More kindness is needed in our world, and I am proud of the kindness that Ganther displayed. Obviously, he has a giving soul.”
Ganther, a native Houstonian, graduated from the UH-Downtown Law Enforcement Academy in 2011 and has a long history of public service. When asked why he decided to go out of his way to help someone he did not know, Ganther said, “I was simply trying to do a good deed and get the gift she wanted. Ms. Cleary seemed eager to get the onesies for her grandchild, I did not mind, I like doing good things for good people.”
“I am delighted that she appreciated the gift and pleased that I could bring a smile to her face,” Ganther further explained. “As officers of the campus, we have many instances where students and others seek assistance for various reasons. We, as a department, are always willing and happy to assist in any and every way.”
“More kindness is needed in our world, and I am proud of the kindness that Sgt. Ganther displayed. Obviously, he has a giving soul.”
While supporting student success is at the heart of UH’s mission, community engagement is also an essential responsibility for the University.
“I love that Sergeant Ganther loves his job and that Ms. Cleary had a great experience with the UHPD,” Moore said. “She has a great story to share for generations”.
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