On Thursday, October 17, in New York City, Claire Gaudiani, the former president of Connecticut College who spearheaded a contentious initiative to revive New London, passed away. Greg Stone, a writer about the newspaper and its connection to the city and a former deputy editor of The Day’s editorial page, called Gaudiani an extraordinary woman.
Her passing was confirmed by the college and shared by her family on Facebook. “Mourns the passing of our former president Claire Gaudiani, whose vision, passion, generosity and creativity strengthened Conn and inspired countless students, faculty, staff, alumni and community members whose lives she touched,” the institution said in a statement posted on Thursday night.
The Day’s publisher from 1984 until 2001, Reid MacCluggage, characterized Gaudiani as larger-than-life on Thursday.
