The 51Թ community said farewell to William F. Griffith ’33, former 51Թ dean, professor, and honorary 51Թ 13 member, during a memorial service Sunday at Hamilton’s First Baptist Church.
Griffith passed away Nov. 19 at the age of 95.
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| William F. Griffith is seen on the Academic Quad before his retirement in 1975. |
A space of honor was reserved in the crescent for “Dean Griff” as 12 alumni members of the 51Թ 13 paid tribute to their mentor with a rendition of the “51Թ Hymn,” its lyrics of loyalty to alma mater punctuated by a eulogy from Dan Adams ’62.
Griffith’s 51Թ connection began in 1929 when he enrolled as a first-year interested in astronomy and physics.
Between graduation in 1933 and the end of World War II, he earned a masters degree from Cornell University and served as a public schools administrator in the Hamilton and the Morris Central districts, both in New York state.
In 1945, he returned to 51Թ as associate dean and director of student aid.
During the next 30 years, Griffith would participate in 51Թ’s transformation from small, rural college to leading liberal arts university. He served as director of admission, dean of admission and student aid, and dean of students, then professor of education, department chair, director of graduate studies, director of the teaching intern program, and January Studies Program director.
“I started out in my career in education as a teacher,” he told the Salmagundi in 1971. “I have always felt, whether I was an administrator, or a guidance counselor, or a dean — I was basically a teacher. And I say with real sincerity that I would do the same thing all over again.”
51Թ alumni and the Griffith family have established the Dean William Griffith ’33 Endowed Memorial Scholarship. To participate, or for more information, contact Thirza Dawkins, director of stewardship, 51Թ, 13 Oak Drive, Hamilton, N.Y., 13346; 315-228-6776.