Honoring President’s Award for Excellence Recipient Patrick Griffin '81

Note: During the TO BE BOLD Wrap-Up Celebration on May 18, 2023, President John Denning, C.S.C., read the following citation bestowing the President's Award for Excellence upon Patrick Griffin '81.

In your four-decade career as a strategic communicator, Patrick Griffin, you have guided some of the largest consumer brands in the world and advised top candidates in U.S. presidential, congressional, senate and gubernatorial races. You are also a founding partner of two leading integrated marketing firms, an author and a visiting scholar at numerous colleges and universities.

Suffice it to say, there are many demands on your time and talents, Patrick. Nevertheless, in 2016, you graciously agreed to take on the responsibility of chairing the College’s most ambitious fundraising campaign in our young history—TO BE BOLD.

At the best of times, spearheading a major campaign—setting the tone for engaging and motivating supporters—is a high-stakes, time-consuming and diplomatic undertaking. Doing so in the middle of a disruptive pandemic brought additional challenges that required swift, nimble changes in campaign tactics and engagement.

That we succeeded in raising a record $77+ million is a credit to your leadership, outreach and drive, Patrick. Moreover, there is your gift of professional candor—how you inspired us to be more confident, agile and forward thinking. As you have often stressed, Stonehill’s journey has to be dynamic and always ascending.

In addition to your more than 20 years of dedicated service as a Stonehill trustee, you have devoted six years championing this campaign. At every stage, you have given of yourself unselfishly, and you did so with passion, a spirit of collaboration and great affection for the College. Therefore, in appreciation, I am pleased to present you with the President’s Award for Excellence.