Greg Long, ’71, is a man of many talents: military officer, accountant and unexpected museum curator
As a child, Greg Long knew he wanted to go to Kent State and become an accountant. During his time at the university, he was in the Reserves Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC), its honorary fraternity Pershing Rifles and Phi Kappa Theta. After 23 years in the military and more than 40 years as an accountant, Greg has found a new role: museum curator. When his father died, Greg found military memorabilia among his things that deserved to be displayed. What began as a single room dedicated to his family’s time in the military is now the Long Military Museum, three rooms packed full of history from many Ohio veterans from Wayne County. The museum educates the local community about these men and women’s sacrifices, and it led to the formation of Lest We Forget, a group that brings veterans who live in retirement homes to the museum for a special tour and lunch. For Greg, it’s one of the most impactful things they do at the museum. His impact extends to his alma mater, where he serves on the Accounting Advisory Board and the National Advisory Board for the Ambassador Crawford College of Business and Entrepreneurship and the Kent State Foundation Board. Greg and his wife Kathy have also made many gifts to support both accounting and ROTC students. As a student who faced financial challenges himself, Greg understood the importance of scholarships, and his father-in-law Ralph R. Jones taught him an invaluable lesson: give back at least as much as you’ve been given. Get to know Greg in his own words.
KSU: What is your idea of perfect happiness?
GL: That is a tough one. I suppose it is having good health for friends and family. Right now perfect happiness is being with my grandson Henry. He is truly the joy of my life.
KSU: What is your favorite trait in others?
GL: Honesty; without that, you have nothing.
KSU: What trait about yourself do you like least?
GL: Talking too much and not listening enough.
KSU: Who has had the greatest influence on your life?
GL: My father-in-law Ralph Jones, who was a mentor to me. He is also included in the Long Military Museum.
KSU: What is your favorite Kent State memory?
GL: Living in the fraternity house and participating in all of the activities.
KSU: What is your favorite journey?
GL: Being in ROTC at Kent, getting my commission upon graduation as a second lieutenant, staying in the Army Reserves for 23 years and retiring in 1994 at the rank of lieutenant colonel.
KSU: What is your guilty pleasure?
GL: Having high performance cars. I love powerful vehicles.
KSU: What do you consider your greatest achievement?
GL: Graduating from Kent, passing the CPA exam, starting my own firm and running a successful business for 38 years.
KSU: If you could come back as one person, who would it be and why?
GL: George Patton because he was our greatest battlefield general of all time.
KSU: What part of your college experience most formed who you are today?
GL: Being able to discipline myself to do what had to be done to graduate and make something of myself. The fear of failing was the greatest motivator for me. Failing is totally unacceptable.