The emotional tributes continued when David and Robby Griffin took the stage to recount some of their dad's finest moments, and to remind the audience of their parents' partnership as a "pair of master educators," whose combined dedication and compassion made the school what it is today.
"We’re both teachers," David Griffin said. "I teach high school English. Robby teaches middle school history. And that's because of the influence of both of our parents. We want to remind everybody that it’s both our mom and our dad who brought us here today."
David continued, "Our mom has modeled for us, and I think for the whole community, the way to live in service to each other. Mom and dad’s dedication to us has always come first. But after the commitment to family, comes their commitment to their extended family, which is Shore. So whether as a teacher or mentor or a host of countless events—her roles are too many to list—my mom has always been integral to the job of being Head of School. When we’re celebrating my dad and his 30 years as Head of School, we’re really celebrating Larry and Cathy together, who’ve lived a life that’s been intertwined with Shore."
Next to come to the podium was Cathy Griffin, who was emotional as she described the extraordinary devotion that's been central to her husband's tenure as Head of School. "Students who were experiencing struggles—whether it’s family, behavioral, emotional, financial—they confided in Larry. On any given night or weekend throughout these 30 years, it was more usual than not for Larry to be offering comfort, counsel, shelter—at times tough love. Kids in distress showed up on our doorstep in all kinds of weather, at all hours, looking for Larry’s support and understanding. He always understood their pain, their need for stability, their search for someone to believe in them."
She recalled a consultant's once citing two chilling statistics: the average tenure of a school head was three years. Even more frightening was that of all occupations—with the exception of Hollywood stars—the rate of marriage failure was highest among independent school heads. Yet, she noted with wonder, "Larry, through thick and thin, heart attack and migraines, camping trips and Board meetings, raising our boys, juggling our schedules and becoming empty-nesters, and now facing the terrifying idea of you without a maintenance crew, kitchen staff, and JoAnn to take care of you, and without 400 kids to adore you on a daily basis, we are looking back at 35 years together—and God willing many more to come—and we are still partners, and we’ll always be partners."
Robby Griffin then returned to the stage to sing for his father the inspirational "You Raise Me Up," followed by a faculty rendition of "Sweet Caroline," featuring altered lyrics that charted Larry Griffin's three decades of leadership. Following these, senior faculty member and third grade teacher Sam Hamlin said simply, "Thank you for 30 years of leading us, cajoling us, maybe pushing us when we didn’t want to be pushed, laughing with us, letting us laugh at you. It’s been a wonderful time, and we’re so grateful to have had a chance to know you and work with you."
To conclude the evening's formal program, Kris Trustey and Rose-Marie van Otterloo came to the stage to announce several "presents" for the Griffins. The first: a three-week trip in Europe graciously underwritten by several longtime Shore families and special friends.
The second of the announcements was even more exciting. Trustey revealed that members of the Shore community have generously donated $600,000 in addition to the transformational gift of $1 million from The Van Otterloo Family Foundation to establish the
Lawrence A. Griffin Endowed Fund. This endowed fund
in Larry's honor, now totaling $1.6 million, will support tuition assistance and a new student beginning in 2017-2018.
The Head of School was understandably awed when he came to the stage to thank van Otterloo and Trustey and to share a few closing remarks.
"I’m humbled; I’m overwhelmed. More than anything I simply want to share how much that I appreciate all of you for what you have brought into the lives of my children, my dear wife Cathy, and me. As I’ve said previously, I consider myself one of the luckiest men in the world. I’ve devoted my career to just two schools. In both, I’ve been encouraged, I’ve been supported, and I’ve been appreciated for doing what I enjoy the most, which is simply giving children the best possible educational foundation and environment for personal growth that one can imagine.
"I’m forever grateful for those of you who brought me to Shore. You took a chance on a young, inexperienced, upstart leader with passion for the possibilities in education. I’m humbled by the generosity of the Shore community in repeatedly getting behind my grandiose ideas on how we could become better. I’m forever indebted to an entire generation of colleagues, teachers, staff, and administrators for their vision, for their passion, for their expertise, and their love of children, which has created the atmosphere that is Shore."
Griffin went on to thank Muriel Brock, the mentor who shaped both his and Athletic Director Nancy McNall's careers. He then said goodbye to the Shore community with optimism and affection.
"This is an amazing community, and you are poised for your best days still ahead. ... I leave you with confidence in the future of Shore, an incredibly deep appreciation of what it has meant to me, to Cathy, and to our sons, David and Robby, whose choice to become teachers could not have made us more proud.
"As you all know, when you hired me, you hired someone whose partner in life has always been with me every step of the way. Shore would be a different school if Cathy had not been my closest advisor and most loyal supporter. We depart with the best memories that anyone could possibly imagine, and deep appreciation for all of you."
Guests, many moved by Griffin's emotional words, rose for a prolonged standing ovation as he and Cathy hugged friends, colleagues, and family members, bringing a close to an incredibly special occasion and a defining era in the history of Shore Country Day School.