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25-year Profile: John Graff

John Graff

It took a lot of struggle, but psychology department technician John Graff has found himself just where he wants to be.

When he graduated from high school, Graff had a scholarship to a small private college “and lots of big dreams,” he says. But when his father became ill, Graff had to take out some loans, work every day and take only six to nine units a semester to keep his dreams alive. “In that respect, I was no different from the vast majority of other college students I see here on campus,” Graff says.

He attended several different colleges in the Los Angeles area and eventually moved north where he attended Sacramento State.

Again, there were more obstacles to overcome. Graff suffered heart disease as a child, and in his senior year developed inherited neurological problems and sight loss. Psychology Department faculty members helped him through this difficult time. One of them, Murray Work, was particularly helpful and Graff began doing research with him. To assist them, they turned to desktop computers, which were just making their way into scientific venues at the time, using software developed at Sacramento State.

Graff and Work conducted research involving sea anemones and lampreys and, later, rodents. Studying animal learning fascinated Graff, who says he knew then this was the place and the educational environment in which he wanted to stay.

When Graff’s predecessor left the position, he wasted no time applying for the post, and now assists faculty with the kinds of research projects he worked with in graduate school. The job also has provided him with opportunities to take classes, and pursue professional writing and photography. “It’s great to know that I could make a life here in spite of some of my handicaps,” Graff says.

Graff adds that he cannot think of a better place to work than a university. “I recommend this kind of life to any student who wants a career filled with the joys of life-long learning,” he says.

Noting that Sacramento State faculty and staff are there for the students, Graff says everyone works together to get the job done. “It’s a good feeling to be part of that, and I treasure every moment that I have spent here,” he says.