Public Safety Director Gerry Gregg is retiring after over seven years at the University. He expects his last day to be June 30 but will stay on longer if more time is needed to find and train a replacement.
Ten years ago, Gregg retired from a 28-year career with Oregon State Police. Two and a half years later, in February 2012, Gregg took a job at his alma mater, the University of Portland, as assistant director of public safety. That summer, he was promoted to director after his predecessor retired.
“(My job) is really rewarding, it’s really satisfying for me,” Gregg said. “It’ll be hard to leave.”
Gregg grew up on the east side of Rocky Butte Park, near Portland International Airport. In 1981, he graduated from UP, the same school his father attended, with a degree in business. As a student, Gregg studied abroad in Salzburg, Austria.
“I’ve lived in Oregon all my life,” Gregg said. “I lived in St. Helens for five years, and moved to Wilsonville, been here ever since.”
Gregg’s wife, a high school vice principal, is also retiring. They plan to move somewhere east of Portland but have no definite plans yet. After retirement, Gregg looks forward to boating on his cabin cruiser, traveling, cycling and spending more time with his children and grandchildren who all live in Eastern Oregon.
Reflecting back on his time at UP, Gregg is thankful for a job that primarily focused on community support.
“I came from the state police where, in a law enforcement role, you’re sworn to uphold the law,” Gregg said. “Here there’s such a defined community.”
A new public safety director has not been found yet, but Gregg hopes that whoever it is will continue to support the success and safety of students.
“My hope is that public safety can continue to support the mission of the University, to be a part of that educational process and the formation of these young people,” Gregg said. “To do what we can to help keep (students) safe, and have them feel like this is a safe place for them to be.”
Gregg said he was grateful for the opportunity to serve the University and its students.
“Most of the time when people quit a job, it’s like ‘take this job and shove it’, but that’s not where I’m at, I’ll never be there,” Gregg said. “Someone else will take the helm and do well.”
Sam Cushing is a reporter for The Beacon. He can be reached at cushing20@up.edu.
