Blue and white balloons filled the Student Union Monday afternoon as part of the UB community's long farewell to President William R. Greiner and his wife, Carol.
The event, held by the Student Association, was a chance for students to say goodbye to UB's 13th president and his wife.
SA President George Pape announced at the 1 p.m. student ceremony that the organization plans to dedicate the fiberglass bull it recently purchased to Greiner.
"SA has gone out and purchased a bull, and we have been trying to come up with a place for the bull to represent this university well," Pape said. "Although we haven't come up with a place for it yet, we have decided to name it Billy Bull, which is dedicated to Greiner and his 13 years of accomplishments for this university."
Pape awarded Greiner with a crystal plaque and thanked him for his years of dedication and commitment to UB students. SA Treasurer Anthony Burgio gave Carol Greiner a few words of thanks and a bouquet of flowers.
"We knew we were going to do something in the Union," said Burgio. "He's one of UB's greatest presidents and we wanted to wish him farewell in a place so all students could see."
After the reception, students helped themselves to refreshments and signed a poster after the reception that will be given to the Greiners.
"This is a reception sponsored by SA, where we're taking a couple minutes out of our day to give President Greiner and his wife our thanks," said Marc Stellrecht, SA's promotions manager and a senior management major.
Dennis R. Black, vice president for Student Affairs, has worked closely with Greiner during his term as president. He praised the UB community for holding a ceremony in the most visible location on North Campus.
"I think that the university community is a quick and busy place and none of us stop and say thank you," Black said. "This is a reminder of how we should always be."
Carol Greiner said the ceremony was particularly special because students organized it.
"It's very nice to see how busy this campus is and still students take time to come honor this," she said. "It's special. I'm overwhelmed."
After the ceremony, the SA Assembly met in the Student Union Theater. Adam Sherlip, the Assembly's speaker, awarded Greiner with a resolution plaque thanking Greiner for his time here as president.
"We came up with the idea for this resolution as a farewell," Sherlip said. "I think his time here's been amazing, and the more research I've done, the more impressed I am."
After giving him the resolution, Greiner answered questions from students. He said his strongest memory at UB is linked with the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001.
"In terms of surprise and shock, the students, faculty and staff really stepped up and helped bring together the fractured institution," he said.
With regard to the Lee Road project, which has been in the planning stages for years, Greiner said he wishes to see the program finished under the new administration.
"We need more housing, and we'd like to have close to 10,000 students living on campus if we could," he said. "There would also be the side benefit of connecting Ellicott to the spine with the new road. It's an investment that this campus needs to see."
Although Greiner said he will miss solving problems as president of the university, he's happy to be getting his old life back.
"Life is trade-offs," he said. "I want to spend time with my children and go to the movies."
Greiner praised the unique character of UB students and expressed optimism for the future of the university.
"I've always liked UB students - hardworking and determined," Greiner said. "I haven't done anything that you didn't make possible. This place is the product of many, and the best is yet to come."
Photo: Courtesy of Laron Fomby
