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More than 100 former students traveled from around the United States and beyond, converging on Oshkosh to pay tribute to Kenneth Grieb—a man they said challenged them to be their best and shaped their lives.

The longtime University of Wisconsin Oshkosh professor and Model United Nations (MUN) adviser, died Friday, July 13. Grieb’s funeral was held July 21 at Most Blessed Sacrament-St. Mary Catholic Church in Oshkosh.

Here is a sampling of Grieb’s students and MUN team members who posted remembrances on a memorial page:

Beth Burke, a former international business/European studies major, said Grieb was “by far” the best professor she ever had. She said Grieb could have done just about anything in life but chose to teach at the university level.

“Because of that, his legacy will live on through the students he mentored and shared all his ‘smarts’ with,” she said.

“My life has been forever changed by Dr. Grieb and the family he created for me and my teammates,” said Valerie Anne Marie Hagen, MUN alumna 2013-2014, 2016-2017.

Hagen said she never thought she would meet another teacher with her grandmother’s strict, demanding, empowering high standards—until she met DG (student shortcut for Dr. Grieb).

She spoke about his tough rating scale for assignments and coveted approvals, but said she will most cherish their conversations and his encouragement “to be the very best she could possibly be.”

Lindsey Tyson, MUN alumna 2013-2016, said she knows she was lucky to have been part of the Model UN team and learn from Grieb in that capacity, “but I would not be the person I am today without being able to be a student in his classroom.”

Grieb had a powerful impact on another former student who said he entered school lacking confidence and without a support system.

Alex Kurowski, MUN alumnus 2007-2010, said he felt intimidated and “out of his league” most of the time. He recalls Grieb encouraging him to stay with Model UN.

“Thank you Dr. Grieb for pushing me to be the best. It is a philosophy I hold dear to my heart,” Kurowski said. “Thank you for giving me a chance and teaching me so many things about the world and giving me the tools to be successful.”

David Litman, MUN alumnus 2007-2012, said Grieb “dedicated his life to his students and he was proud of his students to the very end, too.”

Jennifer (LaBorde) Monroe, MUN alumna 2004-2009, said there was no greater influence in her education than Grieb’s.

“The lessons he imparted, whether at the lectern or through his own form of tough love, built me into the person I am today,” Monroe said, adding Grieb will forever have a place in her heart.

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