Claire Gaudiani, the former president of Connecticut College who spearheaded a contentious initiative to rehabilitate New London, passed away on Thursday, October 17, in New York City. The college verified her death, and her family announced it on Facebook.
The college issued a statement on Thursday evening, expressing its “deepest condolences” regarding the passing of Claire Gaudiani, its former president. The statement stated that Gaudiani’s vision, passion, generosity, and creativity were instrumental in the success of Conn and in the inspiration of countless students, faculty, staff, alumni, and community members whose lives she impacted.
The term “hip little city” was coined by Gaudiani, the former head of the New London Development Corp., to characterize her vision of what New London could become. Reid MacCluggage, the publisher of The Day from 1984 to 2001, characterized Gaudiani as a figure of immense proportions on Thursday.
Greg Stone, the author of a book about the newspaper and its relationship with the city, and former deputy editor of The Day’s editorial page, have both described Gaudiani as an extraordinary woman.
About Claire Gaudiani
NLDC was led by Claire Gaudiani, who was renowned for her efforts in persuading Pfizer Inc. to construct its $300 million global research centre on Pequot Avenue and for revitalizing the redevelopment agency after the state pledged approximately $90 million in redevelopment funds for Fort Trumbull, which is located in the vicinity. Gaudiani assumed this role in 1997.
At that time, the City Council transferred its obligations regarding the development to the NLDC and granted the nonprofit organization the authority to exercise eminent domain.
The redevelopment corporation’s utilization of this authority led to acrimony. The NLDC acquired nearly all of the privately owned land on the peninsula and seized some by eminent domain. The relocation was opposed by numerous property owners, who contended that the city lacked the authority to confiscate private property and transfer it to a private developer. However, in 2005, the U.S. Supreme Court upheld the takings in a 5-4 decision, stating that the city was permissible in seizing the properties for future economic development.
For over two decades, a substantial portion of the Fort Trumbull region remained undeveloped. Just last month, the City Council granted nearly $6.5 million in tax exemptions over a 20-year period to a developer who intends to construct 500 new apartments in the area.
Gaudiani disclosed her anticipated resignation from Connecticut College at the conclusion of the academic year in the autumn of 2000. The decision concluded a 13-year tenure that was marked by the college’s successes and, more immediately, internal conflict regarding her leadership style and management of campus finances. She was confronted with a faculty vote of no confidence and subsequent student demonstrations, despite her assertion that she was not departing due to the protests.
Duncan Dayton, the Chairman of the Board of Trustees, commended her for her vision and vitality at the time. He acknowledged her contributions to the institution’s ascension, which included the establishment of 26 endowed professorships, the recruitment of an unprecedented number of applicants, and the establishment of a model for campus-community partnerships at Connecticut College.
“President Gaudiani, who served as the inaugural alumna president of Conn, was a highly esteemed scholar and educator at both the undergraduate and graduate levels of her career.” During her tenure, Conn achieved a great deal, such as the implementation of numerous signature programs that are still flourishing today. Additionally, the College’s endowment was quintupled, its national reputation was fortified, and its application numbers increased significantly during her tenure. We hope that the College’s sincerest condolences are received by the family of President Gaudiani during this challenging period. She will perpetually be identified as a Camel.
Gaudiani’s achievement was demonstrated by the construction of the Pfizer research centre, according to him. The submarine builder, Electric Boat, acquired the building in 2010 for $55 million. The pharmaceutical behemoth had constructed the complex for nearly $300 million nine years prior.
