2002 Edwin F. Jaeckle Award: William R. Greiner

Segment Synopsis: President of UB Law Alumni Association, Lynn Clarke, welcomes attendees to the 27th Annual Jaeckle Award luncheon in honor of William R. Greiner. Welcomes everyone. Thanks co-chairmen John Curran and Howard E. Berger, and speakers from morning convocation. Serving as President affords one many gratifying experiences. Particularly delighted to play a role this year in honoring this special man (Greiner). Introducing head table. Starting from left Howard E. Berger, Dir. UB Law Alumni Assoc.; Thomas E. Hedrick, former Dean of UB Law; Jacob D. Hyman, former Dean of UB Law; Carol Greiner, wife of honoree; Pres. William R. Greiner. To speaker's immediate left, Nils Olsen Jr., UB Law Dean. To the right Kenneth F. Joyce, SUNY Distinguished Teaching Prof.; Denise E. O'Donnell, Pres. Elect of UB Law Alumni Assoc., John M. Curran, co-chair of convocation; Ilene R. Fleischmann, Assoc. Dean of UB Law. Thanks Ilene Fleischmann for her help. Also thanks members of the [dais] for being here today. Announcing Mike Pidem as an individual patron, unfortunately omitted from brochure. Turning the program over to Dean Nils Olsen. First speaker Dean Nils Olsen, and says a few words on "Bill." Welcomes everyone, on behalf of the UB Law faculty and staff. Honored to be honoring William Greiner. Clarke on Greiner: Honoring a man who has dedicated his life to UB Law School. Inspiring instructor, Phil Donohue teaching style, taught her about real property law. Unique combination of legal scholar and an approachable guy. Thanks him for all he has done for UB, for UB Law School and for kindness and friendship. Turning the podium over to Professor Ken Joyce.

Keywords: Character and Values; Humor; Jaeckle Award; Jaeckle, Edwin; Law School History; UB; UB Law School

Subjects: TEACHING

Segment Synopsis: Joyce's concentration at UB Law is taxation. One of the more difficult of the four main concepts of taxation is "realization." When Greiner left UB Law School in 1983, moved into a near two decade career in Univ. Admin., the students, professors, and legal community in WNY realized a loss, at the same time the University accrued a gain. Measuring the loss of Greiner by looking at his contributions while he was with UB Law school from 1967-1983. UB Law School in those years had capital gain which deserves Jaeckle Award. Joined the UB Law school faculty 35 years, 50 days, 20 hours and 35 min. ago on Dec. 28th 1966. Graduated from Yale in 1960, taught for 7 years in the School of Management at the Univ. of Washington. A couple years later he became full time professor at UB, and two days later Dean Hawkland reported Greiner was interested in teaching a course outside of the Law School. In February passed Pres. review board and on Sept. 12 was welcomed to full-time faculty. Listing the faculty with whom he joined. In 1968-1970 he taught Property, Introduction to Law, and the Legal Process. In 1973 was recruited into tax program. Natural fit in taxes. His book recognized as the premium book for undergraduate legal education because it drew heavily on social sciences. For someone who is the principal author of that book, teaching taxation is a dream because it is type of law that involves many other facets of gov. Bill's involvement in the tax program brought together all his other teachings. Over the years students complain in a consistent fashion of law teaching; that it can be psychologically damaging, imposes values and is intolerant of the values of students, it's boring, and too rule oriented instead of policy, and too theoretical and not practical enough. Not one of those complaints applied to Greiner's teaching. Plain old interest in students. Story about Francis Letro whom the courtroom is named after. Never had Greiner as a teacher but helped by him tremendously. Jokes that it is extremely difficult to be boring when teaching tax. Jokes that it is extremely difficult to be boring when teaching tax. Joke about a snail in reference to Greiner. Man was home alone with a snail and snail says "What was that all about?" just as we're saying to Greiner in reference to 1983. Shows photo of Bill from 1970's. Giving him award tax-free. Clarke: Joyce hard act to follow. Introducing Thomas Hedrick.

Keywords: Being a Lawyer; Character and Values; Humor; Jaeckle Award; Law School History; UB

Subjects: CAREER: LEGAL; LAW; TEACHING

Segment Synopsis: Headrick on Greiner: Meeting Greiner as second year law students at Yale in 1958. Had considerable athletic talent, confident spirit, personal style, and Headrick is still amazed with Greiner's vast knowledge. His mind has infinite capacity to retain information. When the two of them met, Greiner was married to his first and only wife, Carol. Lived in a Quonset hut and paid $43 a month for rent and drove a big second hand Cadillac. Signed up for an estate planning class together and walked out of the class and dropped it. Played basketball, squash and golf together. Late Eisenhower years, commonplace at that time for law students to think about political careers. Imagined Bill would become Gov. of Connecticut because of his charm, instinct, and smarts. Surprised he moved to Seattle to teach Law. Shortly thereafter joined faculty at UB. In 1980, Greiner asked to become Associate Vice President. Later elected as Provost, shaped the provostship in his style, advanced quest for recognition among research institutions and Division 1 Athletics. In 1991 elected President and thrives for 11 more years. First years as President not easy. Pataki administration cut state support, raised tuition, and reduced budgets. Questioned need for law and medical schools, talk of privatizing University. As President presides over the largest, most comprehensive and nationally acclaimed SUNY university. Expanded high profile research centers, shifted emphasis to graduate programs and made commitment to public service. Built up campus for the World University Games, and with private development of on campus housing. Immunized UB from SUNY restrictions and still ensured state support. UB campus now has look and feel of a major public university. As a public university, UB has had 4 presidents. Greiner has added public service mission, major research centers and athletics, private support, and a campus community. Most importantly created a "multi-university." Personal anecdote on Greiner and vacation story. Playing golf and renting a car in Great Britain. Faces challenges, forgives easily and generously. Working and playing with him has always been comfortable and rewarding. On Kenneth Joyce's theme, great gain for the University. Clarke: Introducing Carol Greiner as next speaker. Association's idea to have her speak, not Carol's.

Keywords: Character and Values; Humor; Law School History; Relationships; UB

Subjects: CAREER: LEGAL; EDUCATION; FAMILY HISTORY

Segment Synopsis: Carol Greiner on William Greiner: Didn't know she was going to speak today, hopes it is good surprise. Award special for him and the family. UB Law school brought them to UB and WNY together. Have been in Buffalo for 35 years, they enjoy the community and have 4 kids, 12 grandchildren and numerous friends. Many in audience know him as Bill, Professor Bill Greiner, and President William R. Greiner. To the family he is "dad", "pa", "Billy" and "honey." Kids recalling memories about their father and early years in Buffalo and how he was always there for them. Stories about him helping in cub scouts, as coach and spectator. Knows how to bring out the best in people. Concerned with getting the job done, helping others achieve their goals. His background in business. His father died when he was young, consequently he worked many different jobs to support his mother. Known as the entrepreneur of Wesleyan. Stories about making money in school. Choosing law as a profession because of the size of the application. William's passion for the community. Award recognizes his achievements, but nothing means more to him than his family, friends and people that make up the community. Tradition that he cooks the meal at holiday time. Both grateful for Jaeckle award. As he is honored as the lawyer, Univ. Pres., and community leader, gives thanks for letting her share her stories of him as family man. Clarke: Thanks Mrs. Greiner for taking the podium. Introducing Dean Nils Olsen.

Keywords: Being a Lawyer; Character and Values; Children / Grandchildren; City of Buffalo; Community Involvement; Family; Humor; Relationships; Spouse

Subjects: CAREER: LEGAL; EDUCATION; FAMILY HISTORY; LAW

Segment Synopsis: Olsen on Greiner: Olsen's role after searching archives is to summarize Greiner accomplishments, still very current. Speaks also of his kindness and generosity. Worked seamlessly with 4 distinguishing provosts. Overseen UB's first comprehensive faculty. Under his leadership, financing changed to more balanced system with more sponsored programs, grant and alumni support and increased emphasis on intellectual property and value of scholarship. Humanized previously austere North campus. Explosion in apartment style housing, more activities, implemented Division 1 Athletics. Agent of change in state university system. Increase in sponsored program support. Tuition flexibility for professional programs. Tireless efforts to build relationship between UB and community, making connection between UB and public service it provides. Building the law school during it's adolescence, transition from private university to a state university school. Wrote and revised law school bylaws and standing orders. Drafted documents that became 1975 academic plan. Principle faculty in forming local gov. certificate program Jaeckle Center for law, particularly appropriate for today's Jaeckle Award. Started Jaeckle Center, was chair of Legal Studies Dept. and Director Law School Undergraduate program. Established UB's joint degree programs. Interdisciplinary studies are hallmark of UB Law School. J.D. Masters in public health, library science, and applied economics. Negotiations with SUNY Albany to have first intra-university agreement. Established Baldy Center for Law and Social Policy within UB Law School, a $50,000,000 endowed center that supports scholarship and research. Key in hiring after UB became part of SUNY system. Size of faculty and enrollment increased significantly. Examples of extraordinary interdisciplinary faculty hired with significant scholarly potential. Been an architect and visionary leader for UB and responsible for establishing it's identity over the past 30 years. Great pleasure to present him with Jaeckle award, the highest honor UB Law school and Alumni Association can bestow.

Keywords: Accomplishments; Baldy Center; Community Service; Intellectual Tradition; Jaeckle Award; Law School History; Legal Community; Practitioners and Faculty; Relationship with UB Law; SUNY; UB

Subjects: CAREER: LEGAL; UB LAW FACULTY; UB LAW MISCELLANEOUS

Segment Synopsis: Greiner believes they have lowered the standard of award, compared to other recipients. Appreciates Kenneth Joyce's illusion to capital gains and losses. He says, "My investment to UB is in a 401K." No realized gains or losses until he retires from the law school. First thanks his wife, Carol, and his kids. His kids hold 10 degrees from the University at Buffalo. Thanks UB Administration, alumni, friends, President's office staff. First faculty he met was Jack Hyman, impressed with him in the transition from old UB to new UB. Thanks more colleagues, blessed to have intellectually stimulating and familial relationships with colleagues. Had pleasure over last 15 years as provost and as a president, keeping track of what's happening. UB and Law School are in great shape. Greiner says, "To all the people that are Law Alumni, take pride in your law school, it's going nowhere but up." UB tough years ahead due to fiscal crisis but Greiner believes UB and Law School will work it's way through. In two weeks Carol and he will take a trip to Turkey to visit substantial amount of Turkish alumni. The two of them visited China last June and met several groups of UB alumni, one of whom is about to become the Minister of Education for all of China. Law profession is a public profession and he is proud of the alumni's public service for the work they do locally and around the world. Last but not least, thanks the students. Takes pride in UB Law School's contribution to the development of this region and state. Very proud to accept Jaeckle Award. He can think of no greater honor, expresses thanks. Clarke: Congratulations to President Greiner and thanks to everyone who made the day special.

Keywords: Accomplishments; Alumni; Career / Professional Experience; Distinction; Intellectual Tradition; Jaeckle Award; Provost; Relationship with UB Law; Spouse; UB; UB Law School; UB Law School general

Subjects: CAREER: LEGAL; LAW; PERSONAL ISSUES; PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE; TEACHING; UB LAW FACULTY; UB LAW MISCELLANEOUS