New York University. School of Education. Office of the Dean.

On March 3, 1965 Daniel E. Griffiths was appointed Dean of the School of Education, after having served as Associate Dean for four years (1961-1965). Griffiths was Dean of the School of Education and then SEHNAP (School of Education, Health and Nursing Arts Professionals) for eighteen years, through the political, economic, and social upheavals of the 1960s through the early 1980s. Dean Griffiths introduced over thirty-nine new programs to the School of Education, which was renamed the School of Education, Health and Nursing Arts Professionals in 1974. Notable programs include the American Poverty Experience (APEX) program that was established in 1967, which trained young men from the slums to be educators and work for their communities. In 1970, Griffiths introduced an initially controversial Masters and Ph.D degrees-granting Human Sexuality Program. Acknowledged as Griffiths most important contribution to the field of education was his introduction of the research professor who would use social science theory to improve education at the administrative and teaching levels alongside the more traditional practitioner professor who taught with the use of practical examples. Griffiths theories for the improvement of education and his teaching methods greatly strengthened the academic and research dimension of the NYU School of Education, and won him recognition in the national and international community. Griffiths retired from NYU in 1983. In recognition of his commitment to research and development, the Griffiths Research Award was established in 1983. It is awarded annually to single or collaborating faculty members whose research contributes to professional practice or knowledge in his or her field. Daniel Griffiths died on October 5, 1995.