Catholic University Remembers Griffin Namin

By Julianna Guthrie

The Catholic University community returned to campus still mourning the loss of their classmate, Griffin Namin, 21, who died over the summer after a lengthy battle with a stage-4 glioblastoma brain tumor. 

Namin inspired his loved ones and peers by his great achievements, boundless opportunities, and “an electric, massive smile,” said senior Jake Turner.

Today Catholic University students are still impacted by the loss of an active and proud member of our community who spent time on the varsity football team as a freshman, sat on the treasury board, and was a significant part of the Catholic University Republican student organization. Namin’s impact goes beyond our school community.

Both a politician and patriot at heart, he devoted his spare time to civic service. He was an intern for U.S. Senator Roy Blunt of Missouri and involved with various non-profit organizations around Washington. Turner said that he had never seen somebody love his country or the constitution as much as his friend. 

Another friend, Cavan Hagerty, echoed this sentiment by saying that he was focused on “helping others and giving others a voice and it was evident in everything he did.” 

His life was defined by “fighting the good fight” similar to a man he admired, the late U.S. Senator John McCain, said Turner. Fortunately, he had the opportunity to speak with the longtime senator—a phone call arranged by his classmate, Michael Klein. 

The news was announced to the university community in late June in an email from University President John Garvey. In the email, John K. White, Professor in the Politics Department said Griffin was “the most courageous student I have known during my 30 years at CUA. The dignity and grace by which he handled such an awful disease will always be remembered as an example to all of us.” 

As a sophomore he was diagnosed with his brain tumor. He took a semester off for treatment, including radiation, chemotherapy, and physical therapy, returning in the fall of 2018, according to a foundation started by his family. 

His friends said he was passionate about bringing people together. One of his ways of doing so was through food, as his friends remembered, he loved to be in a kitchen both cooking and eating. Although originally from Connecticut, he was an enthusiast for New York sports teams. Additionally, he loved golf and looked up to Tiger Woods who he was able to meet along with Hagerty at a PGA Tournament in Maryland. This was one of Hagerty’s favorite memories of Namin.

“[Griffin] would want the world to never forget that at the end of the day we all have the responsibility to leave a legacy no matter what we do whether it be grand or small we have a responsibility to make the world a better place time is short but impact is important,” Hagerty said.

He left this world in the hope that his loved ones would open a foundation in his name, dedicated to supporting causes and organizations he held dear to his heart. His vision, now a reality through a foundation created in his name to carry on his legacy. In addition, the Catholic University of America will be placing a memorial bench along the Pangborn Walkway in his name.