Harmony and heritage: How Notre Dame’s Glee Club led Ken Griffo ’86 to the Sorin Society

Ken Griffo (second from right) pictured in a Glee Club barbershop quartet performance, from 1986 yearbook

Written by Katie Thind ’28

When Ken Griffo arrived on campus as a first-year student, he was not aware Notre Dame had a football team. As the former president of his high school choir, Ken’s sights were set on something entirely different: Notre Dame’s legendary Glee Club. 

“I loved the sound of an all-male ensemble,” Ken noted. “During first-year orientation, the Glee Club came out and sang, and I knew from then that I’d really like to audition.”

Ken went on to spend four years in Notre Dame’s Glee Club under the direction of conductor Carl Levering (“Chip”) Stam. Throughout his time in the ensemble, Ken found meaningful community and mentorship, particularly from leaders like Chip and Rev. Robert Griffin, C.S.C., the Glee Club chaplain, whose comfort helped him overcome homesickness. 

Later in his college career, Ken was particularly grateful when Chip used the group’s budget to fly him to a vocal consortium at Harvard. When Ken asked how he could possibly repay the University, Chip gave him a memorable piece of advice: “Just remember! When you’re a big businessman, give back to the University.”

Ken faithfully kept this promise, supporting the Glee Club for years. His motivation to give deepened upon the discovery that his father, a college professor at a different university, gave to the Sorin Society to ensure talented students could afford a Notre Dame education. As a student, Ken doubted he would ever be in a position to give back, but today, he carries on his father’s legacy.

One especially defining milestone in Ken’s Notre Dame journey was his participation in the Glee Club’s 100^th anniversary in 2015. Over 500 individuals, both current and former Glee Club members, stood together on stage in tuxedos and performed at the Morris Performing Arts Center in downtown South Bend. Ken explained, “To stand on stage with people a lot younger than me as well as older than me was pretty incredible. Everyone made a concerted effort to make it, and one friend I sang with even flew back from the Netherlands. It was truly something special.” 

Sharing this moment with generations of students reminded Ken of why he gives back. He said, “When you hear students talk about how financial aid made Notre Dame possible for them, that’s what the Sorin Society is about. To know I play a small part in helping students enjoy the same privilege and experience I got, it has a huge impact on me.” 

By answering his conductor’s call and following in his father’s footsteps, Ken ensures that the ultimate Notre Dame tradition, a community that lifts each other up, continues to sing in harmony for generations to come.

The Sorin Society is a community that empowers Notre Dame to address students’ greatest needs. By providing need-based financial aid, enriching the student experience, and investing in our Catholic mission, Sorin members open doors for every student to pursue excellence. Learn more about the Sorin Society by visiting giving.nd.edu/sorin ›