After devoting 42 years of his life to the University at Buffalo, former president William R. Greiner was appointed president emeritus on Tuesday by the SUNY Board of Trustees and Chancellor Nancy L. Zimpher.
The emeritus title requires 10 years' service as a faculty member and the rank of professor or associate professor. In general, the title is held by individuals upon retirement or return as a faculty member after ending their administrative responsibilities. Greiner has fulfilled all of these requirements.
Prior to his record of 13 years serving as UB president, Greiner began his career at UB in 1967 as a Law School faculty member. Greiner then served UB as chair of the Legal Studies Programs from 1968 to 1970, associate provost of the Law School from 1970 to 1975, associate dean of the Law School from 1975 to 1980, associate vice president for academic affairs from 1980 to 1983, interim vice president for academic affairs from 1983 to 1984 and as provost and senior vice president from 1984 to 1991.
After his presidency, Greiner once again worked in the UB Law School and Graduate School of Education by teaching courses and mentoring students for the five years preceding his recent retirement on Oct. 16.
Greiner's many years at the university allowed him to develop a list of accomplishments and contributions. Some of these successes include launching what has been referred to as the most ambitious fundraising campaign in UB and SUNY history, establishing multiple research institutes and research centers, publishing the book 'Location, Location, Location,' and boosting UB athletics to Division I-A.
He has also served many hours as a community mentor, constructed state-of-the-art student living facilities, and enhanced the education and improved the futures of an immeasurable amount of UB students.
This list of achievements mentions some of the things that led him to the honor of becoming president emeritus by a unanimous SUNY Trustee vote.
'His contributions and service to both the University at Buffalo and to the SUNY system have been key to the development of the University at Buffalo as a world-class institution of higher education,' Zimpher said in her strong recommendation to the trustees, according to the UB News Services. 'With his retirement in October, the tremendous contributions he has made to higher education generally, and to the University at Buffalo and the State University of New York, it is now appropriate for the board to appoint Dr. Greiner president emeritus.'
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Photo: Courtesy of Laron Fomby
