The son of the CUNY dean who was killed in last week's deadly Amtrak derailment spoke publicly for the first time Tuesday, saying his father was "everything (he) wished to be," as CUNY announced that it is establishing a scholarship in his honor.
Derrick E. Griffith, the acting dean of student affairs and enrollment management Medgar Evers College, was among the eight people killed in the fatal crash in Philadelphia on May 12.
His son, Darryus Griffith, said his father raised him as a single parent and was always there for him. He said the last time he talked to his father was on Mother's Day, when Derrick Griffith wanted to make sure his son had spoken to his mother.
"He made me who I am today, and I love him," Darryus Griffith said of his father.
The family's attorney, Steven Schwartzapfel, said Derrick Griffith's body would be laid to rest at Woodlawn Cemetery in the Bronx, but a funeral date has yet to be chosen for the 42-year-old.
In a statement Tuesday, Medgar Evers College administrators said they were "humbled" to announce the creation of the Dr. Derrick E. Griffith Memorial Scholarship Fund.
"Dr. Griffith's altruistic spirit will forever be in our midst as the scores of students he helped to uplift, encourage and support, realize their dreams and aspirations," the statement read. "This new fund will ensure that Medgar Evers College is able to continue supporting students who have overcome major obstacles as they look towards a brighter future."
U.S. & World
Stories that affect your life across the U.S. and around the world.
College President Dr. Rudy Crew added: "It's not often that you meet someone as selfless as Derrick, and a fund that will help support students in their pursuit of education is the ultimate tribute to his life's work. Derrick would be so proud if he was with us, and I'm happy that we're able to honor him in this way."
Griffith was a beloved member of the Medgar Evers College community, and dozens paid tribute to the man online following the derailment.
He was scheduled to participate in his doctoral commencement ceremony on May 27, and was to be conferred his Ph.D. in urban education from CUNY, which has released his dissertation, "What's Black Got to Do With It? An Analysis of Low-Income Black Students and Educational Outcomes" online.
The family's attorney said it appeared that Amtrak was "negligent" in the derailment, though no lawsuit has been filed at this time, given the ongoing nature of the investigation.
"A lawsuit at the appropriate time will be filed," Schwartzapfel said.
Six other people with ties to New York and New Jersey have been confirmed among the dead.
They include Justin Zemser, a Naval cadet from Queens who was on his way home for break; Jim Gaines, an Associated Press staffer on his way back to New Jersey; Rachel Jacobs, a Philadelphia CEO who lived in Manhattan with her husband and children; Abid Gilani, a Wells Fargo executive; Laura Finamore, a managing director at Cushman & Wakefield; and Bob Gildersleeve, the Baltimore man originally from New Jersey whose son handed out fliers for in a desperate attempt to find him.
