Kathryn (Pearcy) Griffith ’47 earned a bachelor’s degree in political science from the University of Wichita and went on to receive a master’s degree from Syracuse and a doctorate from the University of Chicago. Her career at WSU began in 1949 with service as budget officer and assistant to then-president Harry Corbin. Later she joined the university’s department of political science and became a full professor, as well as a respected faculty advocate.
In 1996, James J. Rhatigan, WSU vice president emeritus of student affairs, wrote, “Dr. Griffith began her career at the university nearly 50 years ago, always at the center of activities but in widely different areas. She was a faculty advocate during her years in political science and served as president of the Faculty Senate in 1992-93.
This was a difficult year, following closely the resignation of a vice president for academic affairs and controversy, generally, between the central administration and the faculty. Dr. Griffith worked closely with President Armstrong in helping restore relationships. Her sense of civility made an important contribution to the university’s environment during this time.”
Known for her belief in the value of the liberal arts as a foundation for student learning, Griffith retired from WSU in 1993. After vacating her office and emptying the shelves lined with books of Greek history and volumes of early political thinkers, she noted that the classroom would not be the only thing she would miss in retirement. She would, she said, also miss the many relationships she had built with fellow faculty. The native Wichitan died July 31, 2014, in Wichita.
