When Greg Griffin earned his bachelor’s degree in psychology from Lawrence in 1983, he probably would not have guessed that over 20 years later he would be returning to direct Lawrence’s new campus center.
Starting sometime in late July or early August, Griffin will begin participating in the planning and realization of the campus center’s construction as well as developing policies and ideas for its use.
Griffin said that he is “excited about the opportunity to rejoin the Lawrence community in Appleton at an exciting time in the history of the campus.”
When the center opens, his duties will include managing all financial, administrative and programming aspects of running it.
After graduating from Lawrence, Griffin obtained his masters’ degree in educational policy studies from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. He currently works as the dean of campus life at Coe College in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, a position that he has held since 1998.
Griffin learned of the opportunity to be campus center director from a variety of contacts at Lawrence, including Dean of Students Nancy Truesdell, who sent him a job description.
Griffin said that his decision to apply for and accept the position has much to do with “fit.” He found that the position plays to his strengths and will allow him to be creative and focus on a specific area of campus life.
On returning to Lawrence, Griffin added, “My relationship with Lawrence as a student, staff member, parent and alumnus spans over a quarter of a century. The opportunity to return to my alma mater and use the skills I have honed since graduation is special.”
Those skills will undoubtedly come in handy when Griffin begins his work. Among a multitude of other tasks, Griffin will work with Lawrence’s chief financial officer to develop the budget for the entire campus center, oversee and review daily functioning of Dining Services, manage the campus center store, develop and promote film series in conjunction with campus organizations, and hire and train staff in every department from the mail room to the information desk.
His first year, however, will primarily consist of working with the planning committee and its chair Lynn Hagee, as well as with the contractors involved in the center’s construction.
Griffin is extremely excited to be involved in the developmental stage of the campus center, which he views as extremely important to the evolution of the Lawrence experience.
“I view the campus center as transformational for Lawrence,” said Griffin. “The campus center is bringing together essential campus services in a fabulous new facility. That creates an opportunity for things to happen that could never have happened in the union, Downer and assorted other places across the campus.
Griffin returns to Alma Mater as Campus Center Director
