Dr. Jack & Ann Griggs
Abilene Christian University’s Griggs Center for Entrepreneurship and Philanthropy was established in 2011 in honor of Dr. Jack Griggs (’64), recognizing his lifelong service to ACU and its College of Business Administration.
In 1973, Dr. Griggs became the youngest trustee ever appointed to his alma mater’s Board of Trustees. A successful entrepreneur in health care, real estate development, and banking, he later returned to campus to serve as dean of the College of Business Administration from 1991–1999. He continued teaching until his retirement in 2008 as the Overton Faubus Professor Emeritus of Business, concluding 17 years of service as a faculty member.
Dr. Griggs met his wife, Ann (Faubus ’64), while they were students at ACU — a shared foundation that shaped their enduring investment in the university’s mission. “We delight in being with young people,” Jack said. “We revel in seeing them dream, work and achieve.”
Jack’s Vision
The Griggs Center at ACU advances the disciplines of entrepreneurship and philanthropy, building on the spirit and legacy of its namesake by grounding students in sound theory while immersing them in real-world, hands-on experiences as purposeful entrepreneurs.
“Nothing could be more important or inspiring to me than helping prepare young people for Christian service and leadership throughout the world,” Jack said.
The center’s distinctive integration of entrepreneurship and philanthropy reflects Jack’s hope that students will not only become successful business leaders, but also joyful, generous stewards — individuals with the vision to see how the world can be transformed for good through enterprise, service, and giving.
A Blessing for Entrepreneurs from Dr. Jack Griggs
“May God bless you with a relentless call to achieve beyond your ability so that you will be driven to your knees in prayer and dependence.
May God bless you with a generosity that allows you to always be a cheerful giver and with a vision that allows you to see how the world can be changed for good because of your generosity.
May God bless you with the tenacity, the determination, the energy and strength of character to endure dark days of discouragement and temporary defeat.
May God bless you with the gift of tears to shed with those who suffer from pain, rejection, starvation, or loss of all that they cherish, so that you may reach out your hand to comfort them and transform their pain and joy.
May God bless with enough foolishness to believe that you really CAN make a difference in this world, so that you are able, with God’s grace, to do what others claim cannot be done.
And may the blessing of God and our Creator, Jesus Christ the Incarnate Word who is our brother and Savior, and the Holy Spirit, our Advocate and Guide…be with you and remain with you, this day and forevermore.”