University at Buffalo - The State University of New York

Coming together to pay tribute to UB 13

Members of the university community signed a structural beam that will be part of the new William R. Greiner Hall. Photo: NANCY J. PARISI

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  The Life and Legacy of William R. Greiner | View a slideshow of the memorial service

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  UB 13: Reflections | View audio slideshow

By CHARLOTTE HSU

Published: February 3, 2010

At a public memorial that drew more than 1,200 people to the Center for the Arts on Tuesday, colleagues, friends and family paid respects to UB’s 13th president, William R. Greiner, as a man who “dreamed big” and encouraged those around him to do the same.

Speakers at the two-hour event ranged from Greiner’s children to a former student and two UB presidents—Greiner’s successor, John B. Simpson, and his predecessor, Steven B. Sample, who left UB to become president of the University of Southern California.

Thomas Headrick, SUNY Distinguished Service Professor Emeritus, remembered Greiner, a friend for more than 50 years, as vastly knowledgeable, curious, serious, funny, forthright and empathetic, a man blessed with prodigious energy and common sense. He loved the Bulls, the Red Sox and sports in general. In golf, he had a long, flowing swing. In life, he had a big heart and sense of humor.

In all, more than a dozen people stepped to the podium on a stage adorned with sprays of blue and white flowers to honor the man whose leadership transformed the institution he had served for 42 years as president, provost and law school faculty member.

Among those who took the microphone was Jeremy M. Jacobs, chair of the UB Council, who announced that the university would name its newest student housing project after Greiner. William R. Greiner Hall, formerly known as South Ellicott Suites, will blend residential, academic and recreational areas—a fitting tribute for a man who worked tirelessly to enrich the community life of the university. At a reception following Tuesday’s formal program, guests lined up to sign a structural beam for the new building on the North Campus adjacent to the Ellicott Complex, which is expected to be ready for occupancy in fall 2011.

Tuesday’s service was a celebration of Greiner’s life, and his daughter and three sons shared stories about him between smiles and tears. Growing up a Greiner meant being victims of their father’s public affection—kisses and hugs in front of first dates, friends and business associates. The children recalled “Dad” as a man who relished and cherished life. He was tone deaf, but loved music. At parties, he enjoyed feeding his guests—no one left hungry because if 10 people came, he would cook for 50.

Francis Letro, an attorney and one of Greiner’s former law students, delivered one of the most poignant speeches at the memorial. He remembered his old teacher as a man who made it his life’s work to educate and mentor “ordinary kids like me,” those who hailed from little or no means but were “long on hope and big on dreams.”

“He understood the value of public education to families like mine,” Letro said. “He understood that law students like me from working-class families needed a professional role model, for which he served as such for countless students.”

Greiner’s former students can honor him, Letro said, “by bringing to the courtrooms, boardrooms and classrooms the humanity and civility that our beloved professor, colleague and mentor epitomized during his 40-some years of service.”

Greiner will be remembered publicly for many accomplishments. He heralded the construction of five state-of-the-art student apartment complexes; grew the university’s research enterprise; dramatically expanded cultural programming and outreach with the opening of the Center for the Arts; spearheaded UB’s drive to Division I athletics; and oversaw the most ambitious fundraising campaign in the institution’s history.

In private, UB’s 13th president will be remembered for these achievements, too. But friends, family, students and colleagues also will celebrate him for the ways in which he touched their individual lives and helped them accomplish what many thought they could never do. He loved his family, he loved his friends, he loved Buffalo, he loved UB and he loved the Bulls. In life, his energy and generosity helped all of them reach greater heights. His memory and spirit lives on in their triumphs.