Memorabilia of a life well-lived fills the home office of 96-year-old Donald “Doc” Giffin. The golf-club-designed carpet leads up to the stately desk and hutch filled with mementoes of his lifelong passion for sports. Alongside family portraits and photo puzzles of Bunny, his wife of 48 years, his stepdaughters, granddaughter, and their families, the walls are covered with moments from Giffin’s illustrious career as press secretary of the PGA Tour, followed by 51 years as personal assistant to local golf great Arnold Palmer.
Giffin’s career offered him the opportunity to travel, meet presidents, witness historic moments, and play a role in building a legend. Numerous honors have been bestowed for his writings, community service, and commitment to the golf industry, including recognition by the Western Pennsylvania Golf Association as one of its 100 History Makers, the Distinguished Service Award from and hall-of-fame induction into the Tri-State PGA, and Latrobe’s “Key to the City.”
Giffin’s interest in the press began as a junior at Crafton High School (now Carlynton), where he was sports editor of the school newspaper. He was not sure college would be a possibility for him. Giffin was only six when his dad died, and he and his younger brother and mom had to move in with his grandparents, putting seven people into a two-bedroom apartment above the pharmacy that his grandfather owned. But the University of Pittsburgh afforded Giffin the opportunity. At the time, a half-tuition scholarship was awarded to a senior at every high school in Allegheny County. Giffin remembers that the dean could not decide between him and a female classmate, so both were awarded the scholarship.
Giffin entered college as a pre-law student but joined the sports department of The Pitt News. He said he immediately knew that was what he wanted to do—saying in his bio, “I sure wasn’t an athlete, so I did the next best thing, became a sportswriter.” Giffin added more English courses but stayed on the legal track as he felt that was good priming for journalism. As editor of the paper during his senior year, the scholarship was elevated to cover all his tuition plus a room at DeSoto Hall. He graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1950.
After college, Giffin was employed by the United Press before being inducted into the Army during the Korean War. After two years in the Signal Corps, he was hired by the Pittsburgh Press and spent seven of his nine years in the sports department before joining the PGA Tour.
Shortly after graduation, Giffin began donating to the University of Pittsburgh. “I felt it was the best way to thank the university for the scholarship that enabled me to get my college education,” said Giffin in correspondence.
In 1982, as part of his employment with Palmer, Giffin served a term on the Pitt-Greensburg Advisory Board. “I am proud that we have such a good school in the area, and it is deserving of the support I can give,” he said. He contributes to the campus’ priority funds, saying that he is pleased with the growth of the campus’ facilities since his period of service.
Giffin recently made his 40th annual contribution to the campus. The University of Pittsburgh at Greensburg celebrates this remarkable milestone, his long-term commitment to supporting the campus’s mission, and the positive change he has brought to students' lives.
By Sheila Kudrick, Constituent Relationship Manager