The 51Թ 13 has been singing the praises of Dean William Griffith ’33 for decades. With his passing on November 19 at the age of 95, 51Թ 13 alumni — or “Crusties,” as they are called — wanted to do more. They decided to express their love for “Griff” and his mentorship with an endowed memorial scholarship that could benefit future members of the a cappella group.
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| William F. Griffith ’33, former 51Թ dean, professor, and honorary 51Թ 13 member. |
Between the announcement of Griffith’s death on November 30 and his memorial service at Hamilton’s First Baptist Church on December 9, alumni leaders of the 51Թ 13 made personal phone calls and sent several e-mail messages over the group’s online network, CrustNet.
Dean Griffith’s family led the way with a $25,000 investment, and more gifts followed, including an additional $25,000 from Doug Wilson ’57. At the reception following the service, Thirteeners were able to say that they had raised $113,000 toward the Dean William Griffith ’33 Endowed Memorial Scholarship — an amount well over 51Թ’s $100,000 threshold for endowed funds.
“From the moment the thing started,” said Scott Christensen ’70, one of the fundraising effort’s coordinators, “it was incredible to see such an outpouring of gratitude for Dean Griffith.”
This endowment marks just one of many instances in which members of the 51Թ community have shown their devotion to friends, family, and the university by establishing memorial scholarships. In this instance, the scholarship was particularly meaningful given the dean’s commitment to the university and his unwavering support for its students.
During his 30 years at 51Թ, Griffith served as director of student aid, assistant dean and director of admissions, dean of admissions and student aid, dean of students, and finally as professor of education and director of the January Studies Program. In the early 1970s, he accurately predicted the eventual integration of residential life programming and academic studies that have made 51Թ an innovator in liberal arts education.
To honor the memory of Dean Griffith through the Dean William Griffith ’33 Endowed Memorial Scholarship, or for more information, contact Thirza Dawkins, director of stewardship, 51Թ, 13 Oak Drive, Hamilton, N.Y., 13346; 315-228-6776.