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BALTIMORE — Security officer William Groh, who will turn 79 next month, is celebrating an incredible milestone—60 years of service at the University of Maryland, Baltimore (UMB). Groh began his career in Public Safety at UMB at the age of 19.
Groh’s tenure at UMB dates back to 1964, a time when the Baltimore Civic Center was newly established, Lyndon B. Johnson was the President of the United States, Martin Luther King Jr. visited Baltimore, and the concept of Harborplace was just beginning to take shape in the minds of city leaders.
To honor his remarkable dedication, UMB’s Police and Public Safety department recently hosted a special celebration, recognizing Groh’s profound impact and unwavering commitment to the university community.
A native of Baltimore, Groh served as a police officer for 30 years and has documented UMB’s police history. He has witnessed the department’s growth from 15 officers patrolling parking lots to a robust team of around 190 employees. UMB’s armed security force was first established in 1952.
Reflecting on his long career, Groh shared in the university newsletter: “Crime in the city has always fluctuated. But if you look at a map of the city showing crime statistics, you’ll see yellow, orange, red, and then there’s a little green spot—that’s UMB, because we keep the crime down.”
In their newsletter, UMB Police and Public Safety wrote: “Dozens of UMB Police and Public Safety employees gathered to celebrate security officer William Groh and his incredible 60 years of service to the department and the university. The 78-year-old isn’t done yet!”
