"Double Domer" Grant Osborn was born on Long Island, New York. His father, a policeman and detective, moved the family to New Hampshire upon his retirement. Grant attended Saint Johnsbury Academy in neighboring Vermont and, after high school, intended to enroll in the Air Force Academy. But, due to a broken collar bone, Grant opted not to defer college for a year and instead enrolled at the University of Notre Dame. He earned his undergraduate degree in Biological Sciences with minors in English, and Film, Television, and Theater. He then continued his education at the University with a Master's of Fine Arts in Creative Writing.
While studying at Notre Dame, Grant met Kari, a teacher, and his future wife. Together for fifteen years and married for eleven, they are parents to two sons, Gael and Grady, ages nine and six, respectively. Grant is an example of someone arriving at Notre Dame for school and then staying in the area to raise a family. He and Kari, a South Bend area native, are assets for the campus and the local community.
Employed at the University for over nine years, Grant currently serves as the assistant director at the Nanovic Institute for European Studies. He is a faculty liaison who also oversees communications, external grant writing, and special projects. Before joining the Institute staff, he worked for several years as part of Notre Dame Research, where he also managed grants along with marketing and communications duties. Grant feels very blessed to be working at the Nanovic Institute and loves the office facilities located in the Jenkins and Nanovic Halls, one of the newer buildings on campus.
Museums have always played a significant role in Grant's life. As a child, he had the opportunity to visit many of the great museums in NYC, and as a Notre Dame student, Grant became a regular visitor to the Snite Museum. As a Master's student in a poetry class, he and his fellow students used the Museum in a non-traditional way, a practice Grant truly appreciates that the Museum provides its visitors. He firmly believes that any experience takes on a new depth of meaning when one is surrounded by art. Looking forward to the completion of the new Raclin Murphy Museum of Art, Grant hopes that programs and events there will continue to provide unique experiences in a new aesthetic environment. He's hoping the museum will create an app or other interactive experiences for the new space.
Joanne Fahey, a former Friends Board Member, introduced Grant to the Board in a conversation they had as work colleagues. Grant expressed interest in joining the Board and now serves as Chair of the Nominations and Board Development Committee. Next year, he will assume the role of Secretary on the Executive Committee. He also is a regular volunteer for various museum events, so look for him during your next visit to a Snite Museum event!
Friends of the Snite Board of Directors