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| Vartan Gregorian | |
Vartan Gregorian, "the ebullient Armenian immigrant who climbed to pinnacles of academic and philanthropic achievement but took a detour in the 1980s to restore a fading New York Public Library to its place at the heart of American intellectual life," died April 15, the New York Times reported. He was 87.
From 1989 to 1997, Gregorian served as the first foreign-born president of Brown University and was president of the Carnegie Corporation from 1997 to 2021. Gregorian's books include a memoir, The Road to Home: My Life and Times. He received the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2004.
Gregorian was best known, however, for resurrecting the NYPL "from a fiscal and morale crisis. It was a radical, midcareer change from the pastoral academic realm, and a risky plunge into the high-profile social and political wars of New York City, where the budget-cutting knives were out after decades of profligacy, neglect and a brush with municipal bankruptcy in the 1970s," the Times noted. "His personality was so engaging, his fire for restoring the library so compelling, that the board endorsed him unanimously as its president and chief executive." He served as NYPL's president from 1981-1989, and by the end of his tenure, he had raised $327 million in public and private funds for the library, placing it on a firm footing.
In a tribute, the NYPL wrote: "Vartan's long-lasting impact on the library and, by extension, the people and communities of New York City is immeasurable. As president from 1981–89, his leadership and tenacity revitalized and reaffirmed the library as the preeminent civic and educational institution that New Yorkers know and love today.... His support never wavered even after he moved on from the library: his philanthropic work at the Carnegie Corporation supported many New York Public Library programs and services, all with an eye toward equitable access to opportunity and knowledge for all New Yorkers.
"The library's work today would not be possible without his foresight and deep dedication to the people of New York. His legacy will positively impact our city for generations to come, and the library's leadership cannot thank him enough. We send heartfelt condolences to his family, friends, and to all who have had the pleasure of knowing and working with him."