Former President Claire Gaudiani ’66 dies at 79

Claire L. Gaudiani ’66, who served as Connecticut College’s eighth president from 1988 to 2001, died Oct. 16 surrounded by her family. She was 79.

A scholar of the history and economics of philanthropy, Gaudiani was one of the country’s leading experts in philanthropy and fundraising. She earned her bachelor’s degree in French literature from Conn in 1966 and her master’s degree and Ph.D. from Indiana University. The first alumna president of Conn, she was a highly regarded teacher and scholar throughout her life, at both the undergraduate and graduate levels.

Among Gaudiani’s many accomplishments were distinguished teaching awards from Indiana University, Purdue University and New York University. She was the author of scholarly books on 17th century French literature, on foreign language pedagogy and on the management of foreign language departments at the university level. She held fellowships from the National Humanities Center and the American Council of Learned Societies, was a visiting scholar at Yale Law School, and served as a director of many corporate and social enterprises, the National Council for Economic Education, the National Collegiate Athletic Association and the Henry Luce Foundation. She was a fellow of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, a fellow of the Phi Beta Kappa Society and received 10 honorary doctorates. She was the author of many articles, monographs and books, including The Greater Good: How Philanthropy Drives the American Economy and Can Save Capitalism, published in 2003. She was also a frequent speaker on topics related to education, philanthropy, ethics and the role of colleges in civil society. 

During Gaudiani’s tenure at Conn, the College quintupled its endowment and strengthened its national reputation, and its applications for admission rose significantly. Gaudiani helped secure endowments for 26 endowed professorships and three endowed directorships, oversaw the establishment of four innovative interdisciplinary academic centers and completed $60 million in new construction and building renovations, including the F.W. Olin Science Center. In her honor, the Claire Gaudiani ’66 Prize for Excellence in the Senior Integrative Project is awarded annually at Commencement to the student with the best senior integrative project in one of the College’s interdisciplinary centers.

“I wish to express the College’s deepest condolences to President Gaudiani’s family,” President Andrea E. Chapdelaine wrote in a message to the College community. “I know many of our faculty and staff worked closely with her and will remember her vision, commitment and passion for the College. She will always be a Camel.”

Gaudiani is survived by her husband, David Burnett; her daughter, Maria Burnett; her son, Graham Burnett; and five grandchildren. A memorial service is being planned; details are forthcoming.