Media Advisory: UB to Celebrate the Life and Legacy of William R. Greiner

BUFFALO, N.Y. -- The University at Buffalo will celebrate the life of its former president and tireless champion William R. Greiner at 3 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 2, in a community-wide tribute that will include Greiner's successor and predecessor, his children, friends and colleagues.

The program, to be held in the Mainstage Theatre in the Center for the Arts on UB's North Campus, will honor the life and legacy of UB's 13th president, who died on Dec. 19.

Among the speakers at the ceremony will be UB President John B. Simpson, who succeeded Greiner in 2004, and Steven B. Sample, who served as UB president before Greiner and is now president of the University of Southern California.

The program will include memories and tributes from Greiner's four children, Kevin T. Greiner, Terrence A. Greiner, Daniel R. Greiner and Susan Greiner Keenan. They will be joined by, among others, UB Council Chairman Jeremy M. Jacobs, University Professor Emeritus and former SUNY Chancellor D. Bruce Johnstone and Muriel Howard, president of the American Association of State Colleges and Universities.

Dennis Black, UB vice president for student affairs, will officiate the program. Musical groups performing will include the UB Brass Ensemble, the Buffalo Chips, UB's male student a cappella group, and singer Mary Kate O'Connell. UB's marching band, The Thunder of the East, will give a musical tribute at a reception in the CFA atrium following the program.

Media interested in attending the service are asked to contact John DellaContrada at the Office of University Communications at (716) 645-4601 in advance. He will be available onsite at (716) 361-3006.