GCC Counseling & Career Services Center Dedicated in Memory of Dr. Joe Griego
March 18, 2009
Contacts:
Suzanne Higgins
suzanne.higgins@gcmail.maricopa.edu 623.845.3808
Patricia Rhodes Vogel
pr.vogel@gcmail.maricopa.edu 623.845.3014
At a touching dedication ceremony March 7, The Dr. Joe Griego Counseling and Career Services Center was dedicated in memory of the long-time Glendale Community College counselor and teacher. The Maricopa Community Colleges Foundation sponsored the buffet reception in the Student Union following the outdoor dedication.
Griego spent 32 years at GCC and was one of its most beloved and effective student advocates. To Griego, counseling students meant much more than simply seeing them by appointment in his office. He was an exceptional mentor, assisting and encouraging them in their career goals as well as counseling them in other areas of their lives. It was not unusual for him actually to go to students' homes and get them out of bed if absences threatened their grades. He would talk to their parents and help them understand ways they could encourage and help their children—who were often the first in the family to go to college. And, most importantly, he convinced students they could aim higher than they ever thought possible.
Widely loved and respected by students, faculty and staff alike, Dr. Joe Griego touched the lives of literally thousands of GCC students during his long career. The building's south and east exterior walls now bear the new name of the Center where, inside, a large color photograph of a smiling Dr. Joe now hangs.
At the time of his death, family and friends established a student scholarship in his name and memory. Anyone interested in contributing to this scholarship or in establishing a new student scholarship at GCC should contact judy.sanchez@gcmail.maricopa.edu or 623.845.3481.
To view all available GCC scholarships, visit http://www.gccaz.edu/scholarships. The deadline to submit online applications is 4 p.m. Friday, March 27.
Dr. Joe Griego
Standing in front of the newly dedicated Dr. Joe Griego Counseling and Career Services Center at GCC are, left to right: Manny Griego, retired GCC professor and brother of Dr. Joe Griego; Dr. Velvie Green, president of GCC; Anna Marie Hammon, sister of Dr. Joe Griego; Gloria Griego, widow of Dr. Joe Griego; Dan Griego and Dr. Robert Griego, brothers of Dr. Joe Griego.
