Bill Greiner

William R. Greiner (June 9, 1934 – December 19, 2009) was President of the University at Buffalo (UB) in the State University of New York (SUNY) system from 1991 to 2004, where he worked for 42 years.

Prior to becoming president, Greiner served in other capacities in the University at Buffalo Law School, and in UB's administration.

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

Under Greiner's leadership, research, educational, sports, arts, and student living complexes were constructed.

Greiner co-wrote two books.

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

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

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

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

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

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

Before entering law school, Greiner married Carol Morrisey.

They then had four children - Kevin, Terrence, Susan, and Daniel - within five years.

Prior to taking a position as a UB Law School faculty member in 1967, Bill was a School of Business faculty member at the University of Washington in Seattle.

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.

He also served as Associate Provost and Associate Dean of the Law School.

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

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

Among the classes Greiner taught at UB were Honors seminars, including Law and the Legal Process and Introduction to Law.

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

There are highlights of Greiner's career at UB.

Educational and research buildings and complexes were constructed during his leadership.

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

During Greiner's tenure, the Student Union and The Commons were built.

The UB Center for the Arts was constructed, including the transfer to UB of the Anderson Gallery.

The University at Buffalo Stadium was also constructed.

Established were the Office of Public Service and Urban Affairs and the School of Public Health and Health Professions; and the College of Arts and Sciences was reconstituted.

A UB admissions office was established in New York City.

While Greiner was president, a fundraising campaign was conducted that was the largest in UB's and SUNY's histories.

The Campaign for UB: Generation to Generation, raised $291,600,000 for UB.

By locating a previously unused state law saying that alumni associations can utilize private monies for dormitories, Greiner's research led to the construction of five apartment-style buildings for 2,100 UB students.

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

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

UB Athletics Director Warde Manuel has stated that Bill is known as "the Father of UB Division I-A athletics."

Greiner and his wife, Carol, hosted welcomes and send-offs for UB Honors students, including freshman entering UB, at their LeBrun Road home in Amherst, New York.

The UB Honors Program was tripled under Greiner's leadership, with an increase in the number and amount of scholarships provided to Honors students, including for those studying abroad by $60,000.

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

In 1990, a formal exchange agreement was created between UB and the Jagiellonian University in Kraków, Poland, although both universities had a long-standing partnership prior to that time.

In 1993 and during Greiner's tenure, the two universities expanded their agreement to include additional joint programs for students, faculty, and staff.

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