Dr. Paul R. Griffin, emeritus professor in the Department of Religion, died August 17, 2018, at Miami Valley Hospital. Dr. Griffin began his career at Wright State in 1988 and, until his retirement in 2010, he taught a variety of courses on Western Christian thought and African American religious history.
Following his graduation from Wright State (B.A., Sociology, 1973), he attended United Theological Seminary (M.Div. 1976) and Emory University (Ph.D. 1983).
Prior to joining the WSU faculty, he taught at Payne Theological Seminary in Wilberforce, Ohio, where he also served as academic dean. During his time at WSU, Dr. Griffin served as chair of the Department of Religion and director of the African and African American Studies Program. He also was a prolific author, whose publications include, most notably, Seeds of Racism in the Soul of America (Pilgrim Press, 1999) and Black Theology as the Foundation of Three Methodist Colleges: The Educational Views and Labors of Daniel Payne, Joseph Price, and Isaac Lane (UP of America, 1984).
Visitation (noon-1 p.m.) and funeral services (1 p.m.) will be held on Friday, August 24, at Greater Allen AME Church, 1620 W. 5th Street, Dayton, OH 45402. Interment will immediately follow the services at West Memory Gardens on Germantown Pike. Arrangements have been entrusted to Loritts-Neilson Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to the American Cancer Society.
