Greta Griffith
Go Getters 20 years ago No Comments


Greta Griffith is loved. How do we know this? Because someone nominated her for a feature in STAR POWER. That someone was none other than Jan Reimers George with Baylor University. Here is part of Jan’s glowing recommendation for her student worker / design assistant / friend:

“Greta has made the Dean’s List over the past several semesters, serves on Baylor’s prestigious Student Foundation, and works part time in the Architecture and Design Services Department helping me pull together some fabulous projects for an amazing Christian university down here on the Brazos River! I am blessed to have her as my friend and design assistant and think she would be an inspiration to other design students and design professionals.”

Wow. We agreed with Jan that Greta was worth featuring, so we took her up on her recommendation. Thus starts our story…

 

Greta is in the home stretch of her studies. She’s due to receive her Bachelor of Arts in Interior Design from Baylor in May, after which she will head out into the professional world.

Originally from Nashville, Tennessee, Greta grew up in Dallas surrounded by design due to the presence of her architect father. Not surprisingly, as a child she grew up playing with all toys architectural: blocks, Lincoln Logs, Legos, Erector Sets, etc. Despite all of the early focus on design, Greta began her academic pursuits as an English major because she thought she wanted to become a high school English teacher. Fate intervened her sophomore year, however, when a friend told her about the Interior Design program. A light turned on, she realized she had to switch majors, and the rest is history.

As you may have suspected from Jan’s praises, Greta is quite driven to supplement her studies. First off, she is currently serving as Treasurer of Baylor’s Student ASID Chapter, having served a term as Treasure-Elect last year. Secondly, Greta is in the midst of her second year of working for Baylor University’s Architectural and Engineering Services, and she loves it: “It gives me great experience while I am in school, and they are very flexible about my schedule. They really try to involve me in all aspects of the design process. One of my professors is actually the campus architect, so that is how I originally got involved with A/E Services. My experience last year helped me in securing an internship this past summer.”

Boy, did it ever. She was fortunate enough to be invited to intern with the Commercial Interiors department at HKS, Inc. in Dallas. Baylor’s program actually requires that students participate in an internship in between their junior and senior year, and Greta reaped the benefits: “I was there for 12 weeks and had an incredible experience. Like A/E Services, HKS did an awesome job with involving me in all aspects of design from conceptual design to materials and furnishings selection. I was also able to work on a large range of project types including educational, corporate, and hospitality design. I really learned that communication is key whether it is between coworkers, reps, or clients. I also feel fortunate to have been able to create great relationships in the design world with both reps and my coworkers.” Greta is looking forward to continuing her internship experience over the upcoming Christmas holiday.

After such a positive intern experience, this rising young star is leaning toward practicing in the commercial design sector, but she’s quick to say that she’s not limiting herself to any specialty: “I think it’s great to experience different kinds of design so that I can figure out what I like best – and then concentrate in that area.” We here at PLiNTH & CHiNTZ tend to agree. Go get ‘em, Greta.

Now for the requisite non-design questions:

P&C: What is the one location in the world you have always wanted to visit and why”

GG: I would really love to visit Germany to see Neuschwanstein Castle. I have had a fascination with this castle for so long just because it is exceedingly beautiful and in an incredible setting. I’ll make it there someday.

P&C: What magazines do you read for fun”

GG: The only magazine I take right now is Architectural Digest. I really enjoy the “Properties for Sale” portion. I like to imagine buying all those houses, chalets, villas, castles… As for fun reading, I am really into the Harry Potter books by J.K. Rowling, as anyone who is around me for five minutes can tell you! They’re a bit longer than a magazine though.

P&C: What’s your favorite beverage”

GG: There’s a little coffee shop here in Waco that I frequent called Common Grounds. They make this iced coffee concoction called a “Cowboy Coffee.” It is the best! (It also helps me stay up at night when I’m working on a project!)

P&C: What do you hope to accomplish before the 2004 is over”

GG: Survive the semester!!!

Have a question for Greta” You can email her at Greta_Griffith@baylor.edu.

 


 

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