“It sets a marvelous standard of generosity and also a standard for financial aid giving,” University President Drew G. Faust told The Crimson earlier this year.

Last week, Griffin lauded previous donors, whose generosity helped make his Harvard experience so memorable.

“When you walk into the doors of Harvard, you just look across the yard and you look at the names of the buildings,” Griffin said. “You realize that people helped make what you and I enjoyed a reality because of their hard work and willingness to give back to the University.”

Griffin has now joined the ranks of alums who have helped shape the lives of so many students.

For him, the proveriable adage about education lasting a lifetime rings true. His experiences at Harvard have fueled a desire to remain immersed in the life of the University.

“Being part of the Harvard community is a lifetime experience. And over my lifetime, I really look forward to being continually involved with both the administration and faculty, but more importantly, the students who comprise the student body and the Harvard community,” Griffin said.

—Staff writer Theodore R. Delwiche can be reached at theodore.delwiche@thecrimson.com. Follow him on Twitter @trdelwic.