News & Events

I was saddened to see in the Scene, along with the joyful reminiscences, the announcement of the death of Bill Griffith, long-time and dearly loved dean, and previously assistant principal and math teacher at Hamilton High School during my ste been an inspiration throughout my student days there. He was unfailingly fair in his handling of discipline problems. His intuitive instruction, combined with the religiously reserved time for math games and puzzles the last five minutes of every class made algebra, geometry and trigonometry not only bearable but almost fun. His joy in life and unfailing good humor, as much as his skills, have been a life-long inspiration to me.

I am often asked, why did you become a dentist? My answer always begins with Dean Griffith. I was a pre-med Junior on the wrestling team and Griff was a major wrestling fan. After one match, he told me he wanted to talk to me in his office on Monday. When I showed up, he asked me if I had considered Dentistry instead of Medicine. His reasons included working with my hands (he knew I played a musical instrument in the orchestra) as well as a lifestyle that allowed more freedom for outside interests. Dean Griffith picked up his phone and called a recent grad at NYU dental and arranged for me to have a visit. I have been thankful to him ever since! During my years at school, "Willy the Griff" embodied the"spirit that is Colgate."

Dean Griffith (affectionately known as Willy the Grif but certainly not to his face) was a wonderful embodiment of the “Spirit that is Colgate”. His inspiration and leadership during my formative years have been with me far beyond the four years I spent at Colgate. During November of my senior year my father died and there were no funds for me to complete the final semester. Dean Griffith called me to see him and, after some sympathetic consoling and significant counseling told me that not only my tuition but also my books and fraternity expenses had been taken care of and that he expected me to graduate on time.

“Come see me when you graduate and we’ll work it out”. He worked with me and my professors to make up for the missed time, arranged for an extension of the deadline for my senior thesis and spent many hours helping me through a very difficult time. Those hours and the life lessons he imparted have been with me since. Thank you and God Bless you, Dean Griffith.

I graduated from Colgate in 1971 and continued on to earn an MAT in 1972. William Griffith literally affected the course of my life, obviously for the better... twice. In August 1971, through his many connections in the field of education, Bill arranged for my teaching internship to take place in Irvington, NY. I am still involved in a business relationship with people I met during that internship. In the second instance, at the end of my MAT program, I did not have a job in a flooded market and was taking little initiative to help myself out. Out of the clear blue, I got a call from Dryden, NY, asking me to drive down for an interview. It was only later that I found out that Griff had taken the initiative for me and called an old college roommate who happened to be the Dryden district superintendent. My first full-time teaching position was handed to me on a silver platter because of Dean Griff. When I learned of his role in this, he laughed it off and said something about "we've got to get our good people out there." And that brings me to the third way that Griff affected my life. He was a role model for me: a genteel, learned, unpretentious, warm, caring, purposeful individual. He made the world a better place.

I absolutely never would have graduated from Colgate without the help of this wonderful man.
I owe him so much!
He had an incredibe understanding of young men; and, in my case, a great deal of faith. I have thought of him so much in the decades since I graduated and have shared so many stories about his great spirit with my friends.
Bob Holmes
'68

It was a cold February day in my senior year when I stopped by to see Dean Griffith. I had applied to grad school at Cornell and Cuse - and for a variety of reasons was not thrilled about going to either. He suggested I apply to Indiana University in Bloomington and said he would personally contact his old friend Bob Shaffer - the former Dean at IU and Higher Ed. Department Chair - Bob Shaffer was "The Griff" of Indiana. I immediately applied and like magic in three weeks my IU acceptance letter appeared in my mail box. My wonderful 35 year career in education began with "The Griff's" suggestion and recommendation.

"Dean Griff" was like a wise uncle. Having been called into his office for several infractions, He always offered excellent advice before dishing out useful punishments, such as so many hours tutoring poor students at the local high school.

I first met Bill Griffith when he was Assistant Director of Admissions in the old "Ad" Building at the north end of the Willow Path. It was June 1946 and my father had driven up with me from New Jersey in order to have an interview. Bill, as always, was very welcoming, all smiles. He had a way of making you feel that he was very interested in you. He made you feel comfortable and at home. We met numerous times on campus and he always remembered your name. He was a great guy.

Cheever Morrison '50

I have never forgotten Dean Griffith's speech at freshmen orientation when he addressed us as "men of Colgate". Of course we were not men, but his point was that Colgate would help turn us into men, and it did. In my case the strict but caring manner he exhibited to me regarding the felling of the village flagpole incident helped me greatly on my own odyssey to maturity.

In my sophomore year my mother came up from NJ to see how I was doing. By chance we met Dean Griffith, I think it was on the Willow Path. With a smile he greeted me by name and filled her in on the details of my academic performance, ending with the comment that "Jay has the potential to do better." That was a huge surprise to me because I had no idea he even knew who I was. But it gave me a boost for the rest of my undergraduate years.

I remember the few times I met with him, he kept saying, "My hands are tied." Although I have often repeated those words to my students, I, too, like Dean Griff, have found a way. I came to understand that he loved us all, no matter how bad we were.

Dean Griffith will always be in my memories of Colgate University.
As a transfer student from Norwich University in Northfield, VT in the fall of 1957 he made me feel very comfortable and at home in his office on several occasions.
Thanks to him and many others, including my beloved brothers in Phi Gamma Delta, I love my years at Colgate until my graduation in 1960.
Sincerely,
Dick Leland
Class of 1960
Malta, NY 12020

Dean Griff and I had numerous encounters my freshman year, 64-65, none of them very pleasant. I left after the spring semester due to differences about academic achievement. I went to him when I returned from Viet Nam in '69 to ask for a recommendation to return to Mitchell College. He told me to come back to Colgate in September, no paperwork, no application, nothing.
I graduated in '72. I owe him my future, of course, but, more importantly, he taught me about
caring, about taking chances, about relying on one's instincts. I will miss him.

Truly one of the nicest, most helpful, sincere, caring people I ever met at Colgate. He WAS Colgate, and I know his spirit will live on there for many others he helped and befriended....

Dean Griff was a wonderful encourager, from the first time I remember meeting him as a high school junior (though he knew me when I was much younger). A gentleman, a 'Gate enthusiast, yes as he said, an educator in all respects. Go with God, Griff.

Dean "Griff" was truly an educator who cared about his students and focused on that more than a career. As Dean of Admissions in 1958 he was open minded enough to admit me off the waiting list. Off I went to the Chenango Valley and I have been headed there a "few" times in the last 50 years. Go 'Gate!