Remembering Greiner’s legacy
Words of remembrance filled the Center for the Arts Mainstage Theater on Tuesday as family, friends and colleagues of former University President William R. Greiner gathered for his memorial service.
Dennis Black, the vice president of student affairs, opened the ceremony by commending Greiner and his selfless service to the university.
“For 42 years, Bill Greiner thought of us, “ Black said. “This afternoon, we’ll be thinking about him.”
President John B. Simpson admired how Greiner always put UB first and helped the university prosper.
“Bill Greiner was warm and gifted with an irrepressible spirit. His love for UB was obvious,” Simpson said. “Bill’s leadership positioned UB for its current success.
According to Simpson, Greiner was instrumental in developing the Center for Computational Research, the Multidisciplinary Center in Earthquake Engineering Research and the Center of Excellence in Bioinformatics and Life Sciences. He was deeply committed to internationalizing the university and improving the local community.
Greiner was also responsible for developing many of UB’s on-campus apartments and residences, Simpson pointed out.
Because of Greiner’s passion for campus living, Jeremy Jacobs, chairman and chief executive officer of Delaware North Companies, announced that the new residence hall next to the Ellicott Complex will be named after the former president.
Following the service, guests were invited to sign a structural beam that will be part of this new building.
The construction of the William R. Greiner Residence Hall, formerly known as the South Ellicott Suites, is scheduled to be ready for occupancy by the fall 2011 semester.
Steven B. Sample, Greiner’s predecessor, recalled Greiner’s efforts to make the UB campus as student-friendly as possible.
“Because of his love for students, he focused on humanizing the campus,” Sample said. “Bill worked hard to warm the campus up a bit.”
According to Thomas Headrick, a SUNY distinguished service professor emeritus at UB’s Law School, Greiner was instrumental in turning UB’s North Campus into the vibrant university community it is today.
Headrick added that Greiner helped the law school thrive.
“His background in economics and law taught him that law was not an isolated discipline,” Headrick said.
Francis M. Letro, an attorney at law and former UB law student, talked about how Greiner gave him a chance, even when his LSAT scores weren’t up to par.
“[Greiner] firmly believed that a C+ student with an A+ character is the kind of grad he would be proud to have as a colleague,” Letro said.
He recognized Greiner’s commitment to the students and his willingness to do anything for them.
“[Greiner] considered students the lifeblood of the university and thought of us as family,” Letro said. “He really and truly cared about students.”
Headrick also recalled Greiner’s devotion to the UB sports scene.
“Many a referee heard [Greiner’s] resonant voice ring out from the stands,” Headrick said.
Muriel A. Howard, the president of the American Association of State Colleges and Universities, also took notice of Greiner’s undying UB spirit. According to Howard, no one at the university bled blue and white more than Greiner.
She also attested to Greiner’s desire to help his co-workers on a personal level.
“He never said, ‘I’m going to teach you, coach you, mentor you,’” Howard said. “But he did it, every day, only in the way that a master can.”
The event featured musical performances by the UB Brass Ensemble, the Buffalo Chips, pipe major Joseph Baschnagel and vocalist Mary Kate O’Connell, accompanied by pianist Cindy Connor.
President Simpson read a letter that Governor Paterson sent him in remembrance of Greiner that expressed the sentiments of each of the afternoon’s speakers.
“Greiner helped to transform UB into a dynamic public university,” Paterson wrote. “His legacy endures through his contributions to the University at Buffalo, the Western New York region and the entire Empire State.”
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