St. Gregory’s president emeritus dies at 74
D. Gregory Main, president emeritus of St. Gregory’s University in Shawnee, died Sunday in Oklahoma City. He was 74.
Main was appointed as the 15th president of St. Gregory’s in 2011. He served as president until 2016 when he transitioned to president emeritus.
Main had the opportunity to oversee a variety of initiatives during his tenure. His work led to the creation of St. Gregory’s nursing program in Shawnee, Oklahoma City and Tulsa. He led a record fundraising effort to restore Benedictine Hall after it was damaged by an earthquake in November 2011.
A native of Belding, Michigan, he came to Oklahoma in 1991 to serve as secretary of commerce, where he developed the job creation incentive program called Quality Jobs. After his service to the state, he worked in venture capital investments and led the i2E business investment program in Oklahoma.
In 2009, he was named president of the Michigan Economic Development Corporation.
As a lifelong Catholic, Main decided to accept the invitation of St. Gregory’s board of directors to become president in July 2011.
“Greg was a tremendous leader and advocate for St. Gregory’s University; he genuinely gave heart and soul to the mission of our university during his tenure,” said Michael A. Scaperlanda, who succeeded Main as president.
“I remain forever grateful for his mentorship and he will be deeply missed by everyone in the St. Gregory’s community.”
Survivors include his wife of 53 years, Barbara; his children, Todd Main, Jennifer Berwick, Adam Main, Katie Fry and Elizabeth Main; 10 grandchildren; a brother, Tim Main of Madison, Wisconsin; and a sister, Michelle Holmberg of Lansing, Michigan.
Visitation will be from 1 to 3 p.m. Tuesday at Smith & Kernke Funeral Home, 14624 N May Ave., and a wake service will be at 6 p.m. Tuesday at St. Eugene Catholic Church, 2400 W Hefner Road.
Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10 a.m. Wednesday at St. Eugene. Burial will be in Lansing, Michigan.
Memorials can be directed to The Children’s Center Rehabilitation Hospital, Oklahoma Academy for State Goals and St. Eugene’s Catholic Church.