Alumni Hall of Fame
Service to St. Marys City Schools (2022)

Daniel A. Griffin, a native of Port Clinton, Ohio, graduated from Port Clinton High School in 1965. He then attended John Carroll University in Cleveland, Ohio, majoring in Social Studies Education. He graduated in 1969 with a Bachelor of Art Degree in Education.

Mr. Griffin first taught Social Studies at Forest Park Junior High School in Euclid, Ohio, from 1969 – 1974. He also served as an assistant coach for football and baseball. At the same time, Dan completed his Master’s Degree in Education Administration at Kent State University in 1973. At the conclusion of the 1973 – 1974 academic school year, Mr. Griffin left Forest Park Junior High School for St. Marys, Ohio.

Dan arrived at St. Marys Memorial High School in 1974 as the new Assistant Principal to Principal Quentin Clark. He served in this position for 13 years until he was named Principal in 1987. “Griff,” as he is affectionately called, served another dozen years as MHS Principal before he retired in 1999.

Dan was the rare combination of a “teacher’s principal” and a “student’s principal,” meaning that he was the consummate professional who combined the unique characteristics of leadership, a strong and unwavering moral compass, compassion, and a true love of the profession of teaching and public education. There was no question he was the building’s leader; he let his teachers teach and guided and supported them unwaveringly where needed. He let students learn, grow, and mature through their experiences in school and extra – curricular activities but also assured that each of them knew of and met the expected standards for being a Roughrider and future alumnus. Mr. Griffin made sure St. Marys Memorial High School students received a quality education, that no student was forgotten, that they were prepared to take their place in the world, and they knew they should do things the right way. All the while, he fostered their ability to have fun and enjoy the fleeting years of their youth and high school days. He has earned the universal respect of his former colleagues, teachers, and students, and to this day is beloved by his former teachers and students. He is always, simply, Mr. Griffin.

In the autumn of 2000, Mr. Griffin began serving as the Alternative Education Director at the Auglaize County Education Service Center’s Opportunity School for Youth. He, along with Mr. Henry “Hank” Stroh, provided students who encountered various obstacles and hurdles in their education pursuits an opportunity to gain the necessary credits for them to earn their high school diploma, which was a key accomplishment to set them up for any future success in their life. Mr. Griffin concluded his career in education at the end of the 2004 – 2005 academic school year with 35 years of service in public education.

Mr. Griffin’s desire to work with people did not stop with retirement from education. In 2005, Dan became a Licensed Funeral Director and began a second career that he is still actively involved with at Miller Funeral Homes, Incorporated. He now serves many of the same students and families he worked with in education at perhaps the most difficult time in their lives. He guides each and every family he encounters with close attention to every detail in an attempt to make sure every loved one is honored and remembered in as perfect way as possible. He is that familiar, caring, and trusted face that families are looking for in the trying days of the loss of their loved one.