48 Facts About Bill Greiner

William R Greiner was President of the University at Buffalo in the State University of New York system from 1991 to 2004, where he worked for 42 years.

Bill Greiner was educated at both Yale University and Wesleyan University, earning degrees in economics and law, including a doctorate in law from Yale.

Bill Greiner retired from UB in 2009, and died shortly thereafter due to heart surgery complications.

William Robert Bill Greiner was born on June 9,1934, in Meriden, Connecticut.

An individual of Irish and German heritages, Bill Greiner was raised in Meriden as an only child.

Bill Greiner met Carol Morrissey, who would become his wife, when they were young children in Meriden.

Bill Greiner was awarded scholarships to both Wesleyan University and Yale University; and he worked during his time as a student.

Bill Greiner earned his baccalaureate degree in economics from Wesleyan University; and three subsequent degrees from Yale University.

At Yale, Bill Greiner earned a master's in economics, master's in law, and doctorate in law.

Bill Greiner began his career at UB in 1967 as a member of the University at Buffalo Law School, serving as Chair of the Legal Studies Department.

Bill Greiner served as Associate Provost and Associate Dean of the Law School.

From 1980 to 1983, Bill Greiner was Associate Vice President for Academic Affairs; and from 1983 to 1984, he served as Interim Vice President for Academic Affairs.

Bill Greiner became UB's first Provost in 1984 prior to serving as Interim President between from 1991 to 1992.

Bill Greiner taught other classes in the UB Law School, including Tax Law and Property Law.

Bill Greiner provided the impetus for the creation of the biomedical education and research buildings, mathematics building, natural sciences complex, School of Management additions, and others.

Bill Greiner was the leader in policy change for SUNY campuses in managing their own tuition monies.

Bill Greiner secured NCAA Division I-A status for the Buffalo Bulls.

Educational partnerships that Bill Greiner established for UB were with other universities in Poland, Turkey, and Cuba.

In November 2002, Bill Greiner led a delegation to Turkey, and signed an agreement with Istanbul Technical University for student and faculty exchanges.

Bill Greiner further developed international education ties with Cuba in 1999 regarding UB's program in Havana with Fernando Remirez de Estenoz, Cuban envoy to the United States.

Bill Greiner was supposedly unaware of these actions, placing responsibility for them on UB's athletic director, Nelson Townshend.

In 1996, UB held a university-wide referendum that was open to students regarding two issues on Bill Greiner's agenda, including privatization and differential tuition.

Simpkins received a letter dated October 1998 from UB Provost Thomas Headrick thanking him for his service, including a statement from Bill Greiner that denied him continued support for a tenure track position.

Bill Greiner stated that reasons for building UB's athletic program included the attraction of out-of-state students, and alumni.

Bill Greiner was the subject of a vote of no confidence in 2000.

Bill Greiner rebutted Shechner's concerns regarding UB's reductions in student enrollment, the number of full-time faculty, decreased monies directed toward academics, and others.

Tzcinka stated that Bill Greiner focused on building particular areas and departments at UB, while that was not done with others, contributing to decreases in numbers of faculty and students in those departments.

Concern exists that Bill Greiner did not do more to develop UB's city campus location in Buffalo, including that property values and business development faltered in the University Heights district because of it.

Bill Greiner stated that UB is working "to play a larger role" in the University Heights area, but that a partnership must exist.

Bill Greiner said that after construction began on the Amherst campus, UB's future growth was foretold.

Bill Greiner served as UB's 13th President for 13 years before stepping down in 2004 and returning to the role of Law Professor, retiring in 2009.

Just prior to his death, Bill Greiner was named Professor Emeritus at UB.

In 1995, Bill Greiner received the Medal Merentibus, the highest honor issued by the Jagiellonian University in Krakow, Poland, for his efforts in broadening the educational partnership between both institutions.

Bill Greiner was awarded the Medal by Jagiellonian University Rector Alexander Koj for his personal support, initiative, and assistance in developing cooperative programs between the two universities.

In 2003, Greiner received the Chancellor Charles P Norton medal, the highest honor bestowed at UB.

The Professor William R Greiner Faculty Reading Room was opened through Smith's gift.

In 2010, Bill Greiner was honored by being inducted to the UB Athletic Hall of Fame of the UB Alumni Association.

Bill Greiner was a member of professional associations and organizations throughout his career.

Bill Greiner represented UB in the Association of American Universities.

Bill Greiner was a member of the Western New York Health Sciences Consortium and the Western New York Consortium of Higher Education.

Bill Greiner was admitted to the Bar in New York and Connecticut.

Bill Greiner chaired the Western New York Regional Economic Development Council; and he was a member of the Erie County Bar Association, the Buffalo Academy of Fine Arts, and the Buffalo Council on World Affairs.

Bill Greiner was a board member of the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra, Studio Arena Theatre, the Greater Buffalo Partnership, and the United Way of Buffalo and Erie County.

Bill Greiner was a board member of Leadership Buffalo and the Greater Buffalo Development Foundation.

Bill Greiner held memberships with the Buffalo Niagara Enterprise Council and Success by Six.

Bill Greiner was named to a committee at Erie Community College by former Erie County Executive Joel Giambra to make appointment recommendations to the college's board of trustees.

Bill Greiner was a member of the Thursday Club of the Buffalo area.

Bill Greiner experienced heart problems and declining health, having heart bypass surgery in 2009.