Barry Griswell built his successful life on the principles of hard work, humility and giving back. That’s why he founded this scholarship for students with financial need, like himself.
Griswell rose from a difficult childhood to become chairman, president and CEO of Principal Financial Group in Des Moines, Iowa. He also served on several community and industry boards.
Griswell’s Story
Griswell was born and raised in Atlanta, where his father’s alcoholism and family turmoil would cause revolving door moves from place to place. His mother worked two jobs, but still struggled to provide for her children. Griswell learned early on that working hard was the best way to get ahead. He started selling newspapers and bagging groceries in elementary school, worked as a lifeguard and later at the trucking company where his mother worked, and helped load trucks on weekends to earn extra income. The work ethic and the thirst for knowledge fueled his journey from struggling childhood to becoming chairman, president and CEO of Principal Financial Group.
Despite his personal and professional successes, Griswell’s greatest joy was helping others achieve their dreams. The former Scholarship America board chair was committed to giving underserved students the help they need to overcome difficult circumstances. The Griswell Scholarship Initiative carries on his legacy by providing meaningful scholarships and a network of support, inspiration and connection.
A true team player, Griswell surrounded himself with the best people and put them in positions where they could succeed. He was also a passionate philanthropist, serving on the boards of Central College in Iowa and Berry College in Georgia, as well as participating in fund-raising events for the Boys and Girls Club of America and many other community organizations. Griswell was inducted into the Horatio Alger Association of Distinguished Americans, joining such notable alumni as Colin Powell and Oprah Winfrey.
When Griswell became CEO, he focused on expanding the international footprint of Principal and developing new markets that were using some form of tax incentive or mandatory retirement system, such as Chile, Malaysia and China. His strategy paid off: Principal grew into one of the largest global retirement providers in the world, and the company went public in 2002. Griswell retired as CEO in 2004 and remained active with community organizations, including his membership on the board of trustees of both Central College and Berry. In addition, he served on the board of directors of the Greater Des Moines Partnership and founded the Harvest Initiative to support Clubs on South Dakota’s Crow Creek Sioux Indian Reservation.
Scholarship Requirements
The Griswell Scholarship initiative honors the memory of former Scholarship America Board Chair Barry Griswell (71C) by providing students with scholarships of up to $25,000/year. The scholarships are renewable, providing support over a four-year undergraduate degree. Scholarship America expects Griswell Scholars to be first-generation and to demonstrate a commitment to helping other young people rise above their own challenges.
Griswell himself was a product of adversity and understood that a college education can help a person overcome difficult circumstances. In his lifetime, he worked tirelessly to provide opportunities for young people to succeed. As a result, he was able to transform his own life and become an important leader in the business community.
A scholarship like the Griswell Program is only possible when generous donors and friends make it happen. Alumni and friends of Berry who were inspired by Griswell’s story have stepped up to create the fund, and will begin supporting the first group of 11 Griswell scholars this fall.
To be considered for a Griswell Scholarship, students must have strong academic records and a demonstrated commitment to helping other young people rise above their challenges. Students must be US citizens or permanent residents or individuals granted deferred action under DACA, and must have financial need as determined by Scholarship America.
Students must have a cumulative GPA of at least 2.0 on a 4.0 scale, and have an excellent record of leadership and participation in school and community activities. In addition, students must have a strong work ethic and early discernment that doing everything asked of them—and then some—is the best way to get ahead in life.
In addition to a full tuition award, each Griswell scholar will receive a living stipend and travel allowance, and full reimbursement of the University of Oxford’s health surcharge and application fees. The scholarship is awarded through an independent nominations process led by academics at leading institutions in Britain and the United States. The scholarships are highly competitive and cannot be applied for directly by students.
The Griswell Scholarship is made possible by gifts from the Randy and Nancy Berry Endowed BITS Directorship, as well as from members of the Martha Berry Society of annual leadership supporters. More information about the Griswell Scholarship can be found here.
Application Process
Griswell understood the power of a good education to break out of challenging circumstances. Now, the generosity of alumni and friends like him will help more Berry students do the same.
The Barry Griswell Scholarship is a unique opportunity for graduate study at the University of Oxford. It is a prize for dedication to the academic vocation and the pursuit of truth. Academics from leading universities in Britain and the United States nominate candidates for the Scholarship through a dedicated network of nominators. It is not open to direct student applications. Each Barry Scholar receives full funding for tuition, a generous living stipend, a yearly research allowance, and the cost of all travel and accommodation while in Oxford. In addition, the Scholarship covers UK health surcharge and visa application fees for the entire duration of the Fellowship.
Scholarship America selects up to twenty-five finalists from among all applicants. A committee of scholars judges the finalists and chooses each year’s Barry Scholar. Applicants must demonstrate exceptional commitment to the academic vocation and the pursuit of the truth and strong financial need as calculated by Scholarship America. Scholarships may be renewed each year. Applicants must be citizens or permanent residents of the United States, or individuals granted deferred action under DACA.
The Griswell Scholarship program is guided by the spirit of former Berry Board Chair, Barry Griswell (71C). Griswell’s strong work ethic and early discernment that he must do all that was asked of him “and more” helped him overcome many challenges to achieve remarkable success. He rose from a difficult childhood to become chairman, president and CEO of Principal Financial Group.
He served on the Board of Trustees for 17 years, including four as chair, and he was deeply committed to supporting Berry’s mission to prepare young people to overcome the many barriers to success. Griswell believed that a Berry education is the best way to provide a child with an opportunity to be their very best self. Gifts to the Scholarship Program honoring his memory will support students displaying similar drive and determination to overcome adversity.
Interviews
Griswell’s relentless work ethic and early discernment that the best way to succeed was to do everything asked of him, “and then some,” drove his successful business career, including serving as chair and president of Principal Financial Group. His larger-than-life spirit and steadfast support for others inspired the scholarship program established in his name.
A panel of scholars will conduct interviews with all nominees and make recommendations to the independent Academic Committee, which awards Barry Scholarships based on merit, subject to candidates’ successful application to and admission at Oxford. The interview process is designed to assess a candidate’s dedication to the academic vocation and pursuit of truth, as well as their ability to excel in graduate study at Oxford.
Meredith Lewallen Roberts (07C) is one of 11 students receiving Griswell Scholarship support this fall, thanks to alumni and friends who made immediate-use gifts honoring the college’s late board chair. Ultimately, the college seeks to fully endow scholarships for a permanent cohort of Griswell Scholars. Those scholarships will provide meaningful and sustainable financial assistance alongside a high level of wraparound support to help students overcome challenging circumstances, much like Griswell did.