The Joe Burrow, the Fiona, and the Jean Griffin
Feb 24, 2023
Jean Griffin never thought her name and Joe Burrow’s would be placed next to each other on a list of “fame” — but that’s exactly what happened in summer 2022.
Griffin, who serves as the dean of students at Xavier University, is part of the “Burgers of Fame” list at Norwood Restaurant Ford’s Garage, with her name appearing directly below the star Bengals quarterback's.
“It’s one of those funny things I never could have imagined would happen in my career, and I absolutely love it,” said Griffin.
As the dean of students, Griffin oversees Xavier's student support resources related to wellness and integrity. That encompasses everything from counseling and psychological services to student conduct.
Her hands-on role at Xavier clearly grabbed the attention of those at Ford’s Garage, which opened in the Rookwood Commons & Pavillion Shopping Center last year. Seeking a Xavier tie-in for their menu, the 1920s service-station-themed restaurant named its patty melt “The Jean Griffin.”
People in the Xavier community immediately took notice, as colleagues and friends began texting and approaching Griffin about her newfound fame.
When others asked how this came to be, Griffin would reply that she was just as shocked as everyone else. Regardless, she was appreciative of the new restaurant’s efforts to involve Xavier in some capacity.
“I think it's a great reflection of Ford’s Garage and their interest in being a part of the community,” Griffin said. “They want to have a connection to Norwood. Look at the other people on the list – I’m in great company.”
In addition to herself and Burrow, the restaurant’s menu features figures like Norwood Mayor Victor Schneider, Norwood Fire Chief Thomas McCabe, and Norwood Together President Mary C. Miller. It also contains the name of world-famous hippo and Cincinnati Zoo staple Fiona.
While the title “dean of students” gets a bad rap for its disciplinary aspect, Griffin said the focus on caring for the whole person — a core tenet of Xavier’s Jesuit Catholic approach to education — is what makes her job so special.
“The dean of students role is, I think, one of the best jobs at Xavier, because we really get to provide the resources and the services and have the staff available that are going to put that kind of wrap-around care and support for our students in place 24/7 when they're on our campus,” Griffin said.
Griffin plays a key role in the University’s partnership with local health care system TriHealth, a relationship that allows Xavier students to receive a full slate of excellent well-being and health care services on campus.
Xavier’s focus on physical, mental and emotional well-being for its students is embodied by the Health United Building, a 150,000-square-foot facility that comprises all health-related elements of the student experience. Opened in 2019, the facility — often called “the HUB” — not only features a state-of-the-art recreational facility, but also offers a top-notch learning environment for students of nursing, occupational therapy, health services and management, and other fields in the health care industry. 
“I think it’s really interesting to think about how we can be leaders in collegiate health and well-being in the community and nationally,” Griffin said. “TriHealth helps us to do that. They’re such an amazing partner.”
Given her focus on health and wellness, it perhaps makes sense that Griffin would typically choose a veggie burger over a beef patty.
Even so, she was just as honored as she was surprised to see her name plastered all over Ford’s Garage’s vintage digs.
“I’m always proud to represent Xavier,” she said. “Doing so with a sandwich is not something I would have ever imagined, but it’s really fun.”