Peter Diamandopoulos
Peter Theodore Diamandopoulos (September 1, 1928 – April 1, 2015) was a Greek–American academic administrator. He served as the seventh president of Adelphi University from 1985 until his dismissal in 1997 due to the school's financial problems.
Early life and education
He was born in Iraklion, Crete to Theodore Diamandopoulos and Margarita Mouzenidis. Diamandopoulos attended Athens College, then moved to the United States in 1948 to study philosophy at Harvard.[1]
Career
Diamandopoulos began his academic career at University of Maryland. He moved to Brandeis University, where he was the dean of faculty from 1965 to 1971. Diamandopoulos then chaired the philosophy department for the next four years. From 1969 to 1974, he was the director of studies at the University of Chicago's Adlai Stevenson Institute of International Affairs. Diamandopoulos was named the president of Sonoma State University in 1977 and served until 1983. In 1985, Diamandopoulos was appointed president of Adelphi University.[2] Seeking to improve the school's academic reputation, Diamandopoulos raised tuition and reduced faculty.[3][4] His own compensation package remained unaffected by cuts and included a Mercedes-Benz, a condominium in Manhattan, and the presidential residence on the Adelphi campus.[5] An investigation of the school's finances showed that it was a customer of the insurance company run by Ernesta G. Procope, who also served as the head of Adelphi's board.[6] For this conflict of interest, she, Diamandopoulos, and sixteen other members of the board were removed from their posts.[7] A week later, a newly appointed board removed Diamandopoulos from the office of president.[8] He sued the school, and settled for $1.4 million.[9] In December 1998, Diamandopoulos was named special assistant to John Silber, the president of Boston University.[10] He retired in 2008, and died in Manhattan on April 1, 2015.[1]
References
- 1 2 Roberts, Sam (April 7, 2015). "Peter Diamandopoulos, Divisive Adelphi University President, Dies at 86". New York Times. Archived from the original on April 12, 2015. Retrieved May 18, 2015.
- ↑ "Peter Diamandopoulos". New York Times. April 5, 2015. Retrieved May 18, 2015 – via Legacy.com.
- ↑ Lambert, Bruce (September 23, 1998). "Adelphi Enrollment Rises After 12 Years of Decline". New York Times. Retrieved May 18, 2015.
- ↑ Burghardt, Linda F. (January 25, 2004). "Adelphi Savors Its Rebound". New York Times. Retrieved May 18, 2015.
- ↑ Bruce, Lambert (August 12, 1996). "Examining Adelphi President's Perks, From a Mercedes to a Million-Dollar Condo". New York Times. Retrieved May 18, 2015.
- ↑ Lambert, Bruce (September 24, 1996). "Chairwoman of Adelphi's Board Is Accused of Using Her Double Role to Advantage". New York Times. Retrieved May 18, 2015.
- ↑ Lambert, Bruce (February 11, 1997). "NEW YORK REGENTS OUST 18 TRUSTEES FROM ADELPHI U.". New York Times. Retrieved May 18, 2015.
- ↑ Lambert, Bruce (February 21, 1997). "New Trustees of Adelphi U. Dismiss Embattled President". New York Times. Retrieved May 18, 2015.
- ↑ Halbfinger, David M. (November 18, 1998). "Lawsuits Over Ouster of Adelphi Chief Are Settled". New York Times. Retrieved May 18, 2015.
- ↑ Lambert, Bruce (December 6, 1998). "President Who Was Forced From Job at Adelphi Is Hired at Boston University". New York Times. Retrieved May 18, 2015.