“Buck is a tremendous volunteer—he asks thoughtful questions, writes fantastic class-agent appeals and is passionate about Amherst.” –Amherst College staff member
William Greenough ’53
William “Buck” Greenough graduated from Amherst in 1953 and majored in chemistry. His long career in medicine has made him a renowned physician in infectious disease and geriatrics as well as a professor of medicine at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine. Buck now serves as an Amherst Fund class agent for the Class of 1953.
How did you get started volunteering for Amherst?
I started principally due to the attrition of prior agents and because I’m now retired, but the main reason is because I believe in liberal arts education. It has led me to a remarkably interesting and rewarding career in medicine, its underpinnings in sciences and humanities, and international health.
Why do you volunteer with Amherst College?
My experience at Amherst with the "new curriculum" opened my eyes to possibilities that high school never touched on. I also treasured the opportunity to join the Amherst swimming team under Tug Kennedy when my talents were less than great. Perhaps the most important opportunity was the chance to do original research in my junior and senior years in chemistry and receiving the Dow fellowship from Amherst soon after I graduated. It allowed me to continue research in organic chemistry with my mentor Professor Keith Shillington, who had moved to Washington and Lee University, and provided the data for my first publication.
What is your favorite part of volunteering with Amherst?
My favorite part of being a class agent is talking directly to fellow classmates and learning how much they have contributed to our country and internationally over their lifetimes. There is a great diversity of life experiences that grew out of the draft and their widely varied experiences in the uniformed services.