LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION mourning the death of Dr. William R. Greiner, a
man of singular distinction and extraordinary accomplishment

WHEREAS, It is the custom of this Legislative Body to pay proper tribute
to those individuals of extraordinary character whose lives exemplified
the highest ideals of humanity and whose lifework and civic endeavor
served to enhance the quality of life in the great State of New York;
and
WHEREAS, Dr. William R. Greiner, who went from the first person in his
family to attend college, to Yale Law School, to the Presidency of the
University at Buffalo, died on Saturday, December 19, 2009, at the age
of 75; and
WHEREAS, A native of Meridian, Connecticut, the only child of a blue-
collar family, Dr. William R. Greiner worked his way through Wesleyan
University and Yale Law, where he earned both a Law degree and a
Master's degree in Economics; and
WHEREAS, After his first job as a professor at the University of Wash-
ington, Dr. William R. Greiner came to the University at Buffalo as a
law school professor in 1967; and
WHEREAS, A distinguished educator, Dr. William R. Greiner gradually
rose through the administrative ranks at the University serving as Asso-
ciate Provost at the Law School, Associate Vice President for Academic
Affairs and Acting Vice President for Academic Affairs; and
WHEREAS, In 1984, Dr. William R. Greiner was named Provost of the
University at Buffalo, becoming the institution's Chief Academic Offi-
cer; seven years later, he became the 13th President of the University
at Buffalo; and
WHEREAS, Throughout his Presidency of the largest university in the
State system, Dr. William R. Greiner continually demonstrated extreme
competence, extraordinary intelligence and diligent leadership in his
unwavering service to the University at Buffalo and the local community;
and
WHEREAS, Dr. William R. Greiner directed the comprehensive review of
the University at Buffalo's academic mission and administrative struc-
ture, made significant advances in the recruitment and retention of
quality students and faculty, increased external support, and estab-
lished corporate partnerships including those developed with IBM and
Xerox; and
WHEREAS, Furthermore, under his luminous direction, five student
apartment complexes; a new Student Union and Commons retail center; an
expanded UB Stadium; and a new natural sciences complex, mathematics
building, and comprehensive health sciences education center were all
completed, greatly improving the campus environment and student life as
well as the University's academic and research capabilities; and
WHEREAS, President Greiner's initiatives to both develop the Universi-
ty and aid in the improvement of the Western New York economy included
renewed ties to the region's businesses and industries through the
creation of the UB Business Alliance, the Center for Computational
Research, the Institute for Research on Lasers, Photonics and Biophoton-
ics, and other organized research and service programs; and
WHEREAS, In addition to his academic responsibilities, Dr. William R.
Greiner held numerous positions in local, State, and national higher
education organizations including the University at Buffalo Foundation,
American Council on Education Commission on Women in Higher Education,
New York State Senate Higher Education Advisory Committee, Western New
York Consortium of Higher Education, Western New York Health Sciences

Consortium, Association of American Universities, and the National Asso-
ciation of State Universities and Land-Grant Colleges; and
WHEREAS, Dr. William R. Greiner retired as President of the University
at Buffalo in 2003, and from teaching in October of 2009, after 42 years
as a brillant educator and a superlative administrator; and
WHEREAS, Dr. William R. Greiner exhibited uncommon leadership and
commitment to making quality educational programs and opportunities
available at the University at Buffalo for the benefit of all its
students and faculty, the Western New York region, and the State of New
York; and
WHEREAS, Despite his busy professional life, Dr. William Greiner was
active in several organizations which work to promote economic develop-
ment throughout Western New York; he served on the Board of Directors
and the Executive Committee of the Buffalo Niagara Partnership; and was
also a member of the Board of Directors of the Buffalo Niagara Enter-
prise, and served on the Empire State Regional Economic Development
Council, the Western New York Economic Development Corporation, and the
Western New York Regional Economic Development Council; and
WHEREAS, Additionally, Dr. William R. Greiner served on several citi-
zens' advisory committees and boards related to the health care concerns
of the Western New York region; and
WHEREAS, A devoted husband and father, Dr. William R. Greiner embodied
countless attributes and truly exemplified the virtues of family, sacri-
fice, and excellence; he was a beautiful light in the lives of many and
served as a constant source of inspiration for his loved ones through
his loving, hard-working, and selfless example; and
WHEREAS, Dr. William R. Greiner is survived by his wife, Carol Morris-
sey Greiner; one daughter, Susan Keenan; and three sons, Kevin, Terrance
and Daniel; as well as 13 grandchildren; and
WHEREAS, Armed with a humanistic spirit, imbued with a sense of
compassion, and comforted by a loving family, Dr. William R. Greiner
leaves behind a legacy which will long endure the passage of time and
will remain as a comforting memory to all he served and befriended; now,
therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
mourn the death of Dr. William R. Greiner, a man of singular distinction
and extraordinary accomplishment; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to the family of Dr. William R. Greiner.