In Memoriam: Claire Gaudini, 1944-2024

Claire Gaudini, former president of Connecticut College, passed away on October 16. She was 79 years old.

Dr. Gaudini was named the eighth president of Connecticut College in 1988, making her the college’s first alumna president. During her tenure, she oversaw significant growth in the college’s endowment. She helped to secure nearly 30 new endowed faculty positions, establish new academic centers, and improve campus infrastructure.

As a scholar, Dr. Gaudini studied a wide range of topics, including the history and economics of philanthropy, seventeenth-century French literature, foreign language pedagogy, and the management of university-level foreign language departments. She received distinguished teaching awards from Indiana University, Purdue University, and New York University. She also had a stint as a visiting scholar at Yale University. She authored several articles and books, including The Greater Good: How Philanthropy Drives the American Economy and Can Save Capitalism (Times Books, 2003).

Dr. Gaudini earned her bachelor’s degree in French literature from Connecticut College. She received her master’s degree and Ph.D. from Indiana University.