We had a thoroughly delightful time talking with Denyse McGriff for this month’s alumni feature. A History and Political Science major from the Class of 1973, Denyse and her husband live in a historic home in Oregon City, Oregon where she is in her second year of her first four-year term as Mayor.

Please share with us a little bit about your background.

I grew up mainly in California. I first moved to the Monterey Bay area when my father was stationed at Fort Ord. When he retired, my family relocated to San Jose. I was the first of my family members to go to a four-year school. In addition to my passion for public service and historic preservation, I am a certified yoga instructor and fascinated by the meditations and philosophy of Hinduism, the latter which I attribute, in part, to the excellent comparative religions classes taught by Sister Catherine McGrath, while I was a student at then-College of Notre Dame (CND). I have gone to meditation retreats to India twice; both were life-enhancing experiences.

What made you decide to attend NDNU?

I was a student at Mount Pleasant High School in San Jose, I attended a college presentation about CND by Robert Titlow, Director of Admissions (who retired from the University as a professor of Theatre Arts). I ended up applying to and was accepted at CND, San Jose State University and Long Island University in New York where one of my relatives taught. I chose CND because it was close enough to be near my family, but I was able to live on campus. I also received a very generous scholarship offer and work study. I was intrigued by being part of a student body that was primarily women.

What was student life like in the early 70s? What are some of your favorite memories?

All things considered, it was a very progressive environment. I am not Catholic, nor were about half of my classmates, and we were never made to feel excluded or pressured. Women were in all kinds of leadership positions, and the life-long friendships we made were very empowering; we were all there for the same purpose.

My class was a little young for Woodstock, but we were very aware of the outside world. Reverend Stanley Parmisano had a “salon” in the evenings, where we would get together and talk about topical issues. It was so interesting and engaging. The College was actively trying to recruit a diverse student population, and I was one of a number of students of color and diverse ethnicity.

I enjoyed some local celebrity status during my freshman year. One of my classmates, Jeanette Stringham, who was a talented violinist, invited me to join a contest where the winner would be crowned Miss Belmont/Clairmont. To my great surprise, I came in first in the contest and received some scholarship money,  a wardrobe, modeling lessons and the chance to perfect the wrist wave while participating in the Belmont Merchants Association street parade.

Were there any specific classes, professors or Sisters that influenced you?

CND was all about exploring your potential and opening your eyes and mind to new things and a variety of topics. I knew right away that I would be a History major and was also very interested in art which I minored in. The Sisters had a big impact on me, especially Sr. Catherine Julie Cunningham (Sr. CJ), Sr. Mary Laxague, Sr. Rosemarie Julie Gavin (Sr. RJ), and Sr. Roseanne Murphy. We could talk about anything, and they had the best sense of humor. I was also very fond of Mary Ellen Boyling, Father Stan and Father Gaffney. I wish there was a way that I could thank them for all that they did.

How did CND prepare you for the work you have been doing? Can you talk more about your journey of public service?

I did my student teaching at the elementary school on campus, working with kindergarteners who were so sweet and full of joy. During my junior and senior years, I delved into government and political science classes, and after graduation, attended law school at the University of San Diego. I left after a year and a half because it really was like the 1973 movie Paper Chase. It was not the profession for me.

The summer of ‘74, I secured a 4-month internship with the State of California in the Office of Planning and Research.  My job was to explore and research what other States had state-wide land use planning programs. I wrote a white paper while I was there, which got some notice. At the time, there was no internet, so I was often calling up different state offices and frequently interacting with staff members. The conversations with staff from Oregon planted the seed for my eventual move to Oregon.

From there, I had a great job with the California Department of Commerce where I worked with small cities up and down the Central Valley. Several years later, I enrolled in graduate programs at the University of Oregon for dual degrees in Political Science and Urban and Regional Planning. I was awarded a HUD Fellowship which allowed me to work for a local government while attending school full-time, but didn’t leave any time for fun.  I gained a lot of hands-on experience.

My first job out of grad school was in Tillamook City, Oregon. I am so grateful to have been able to enjoy a very satisfying 30-year career in local government, which I retired from in 2013. That would have been the end of the story except that a vacancy came up in the Oregon City Commission in 2019, and I applied for and was appointed to the position. Since I filled a vacancy, I had to formally run for City Commission shortly after, which I won with 79% of the vote. I was Commission president and interim mayor in 2022.  I was elected mayor and am currently the only woman on the City Commission.

What were some of the values and/or life lessons that inspired you to pursue a career in public service?

I was a young middle schooler when President Kennedy gave his famous speech and implored us to, “ask not what your country can do for you, but what you can do for your country.” While my parents did not necessarily do the same amount of public service that I have done, these values began with them, and grew through the experiences I had in high school and college. My path and life choices reflect the gratitude I feel for all that I have been given. I have always felt that my life was pointed in this direction, and it’s come full circle.

Is there anything else you would like to add?

Yes! Speaking of coming full circle, the Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur were asked by Dr. John McLoughlin to come to Oregon to start a school in Oregon City. They stayed for a short time and then moved to Belmont, California. How’s that for coincidence!