GSAS Alumni Association Annual Meeting

The Alumni Association of the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences held its 2005 Annual Meeting on Thursday, October 6, from 6:00 p.m to 8:30 p.m. The meeting began with a reception, followed by a report from Dale Turza, President of the GSAS Alumni Association, about the activities of the Association this year and remarks from Dean Henry Pinkham about the current state of the Graduate School. This year’s Distinguished Alumni Speaker was one of GSAS’s most accomplished alumni, Dr. Paul LeClerc, President and CEO of The New York Public Library. The title of Dr. LeClerc’s talk, which focused on the importance of maintaining the life of the mind no matter what career one pursues, was "A New Version of the Janus-faced Figure: The Quondam Academic Who Lives and Works Outside the Classroom and Laboratory." We were very honored to have Dr. LeClerc as our guest speaker this year. Over 100 alums attended the event and enjoyed the both the program and the opportunity to reconnect with one another.

After graduating from college and spending a year at the Sorbonne, Paul O. LeClerc began graduate work at Columbia and received his Ph.D. in French with distinction in 1969. At Union College in Schenectady, New York, where he taught until 1979, he chaired the Department of Modern Languages and the Division of
humanities. From 1979 to 1984, he worked in the central administration of the City University of New York and, subsequently, served as Provost of Baruch College. In 1988, he was appointed President of Hunter College, the largest public institution of higher education in New York City. Under his leadership, Hunter became the first-choice college for students applying to the City University of New York, and moved into 12^th place nationally in awarding degrees to minority students.

Dr. LeClerc became President and CEO of the New York Public Library in 1993. The library system, which serves both scholars and the general public, had 15 million reader visits last year. For the public’s use, the Library has created one of the most advanced IT systems of any library, is acquiring prestigious new collections for its research libraries, and has completely renovated and modernized its historic buildings. The collaborations between the New York Public Library and the Columbia University Libraries have been successful models of cooperation for mutual benefit.

In addition to his work with the New York Public Library, Dr. LeClerc serves as a board member of Columbia’s Maison Française. His numerous honorary doctorates include degrees from La Sorbonne Nouvelle, Brown University, and Oxford University. The French Government has recognized his distinguished merit by making him an Officier of the Academic Palms, and a Chevalier of the Legion of Honor. In 2004, Dr. LeClerc was presented with the Dean’s Award for Distinguished Achievement by the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences.

Title:  Alumni Association President Dale Turza, Assistant Director for Alumni Relations Laura Brown, Board members Lester Wigler and Judith Lipsey

Title:  Paul Le Clerc and Dean Henry C. Pinkham

Title:  Dr. Paul Le Clerc

Title:  Alums Enjoying Dr. LeClerc’s talk