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New Rochelle, NY, October 20, 2000 - Claire L. Gaudiani, PhD, president of Connecticut College, will speak on "A Passion for Justice: Higher Education as an Agent of Social Change," on Wednesday, November 8 at 3:30 pm in Joyce Auditorium on the Iona campus, 715 North Avenue, New Rochelle. This presentation is part of The Jack Rudin & John G. Driscoll Distinguished Visiting Professorship, hosted by Iona's School of Arts and Science. The address is free and open to the public. A reception will follow at 5 pm in Arrigoni Center.

Under Dr. Gaudiani's leadership, Connecticut College has nearly quintupled its endowment, and is currently ranked the 16th most selective liberal arts college in the nation. In the influential U.S. News and World Report survey, the College's rank rose from 41 to 25. Applications for admission increased 18 percent this year alone; with a total of 40 percent over the last five years.

Dr. Gaudiani is also president of the non-profit New London Development Corporation, which is dedicated to creating greater economic opportunities and quality of life for all residents of New London. Since 1997, the corporation has secured commitments for more than $715 million in new investments in New London and has helped create a broad array of social justice programs.

Dr. Gaudiani holds a master's degree and a doctoral degree in French literature from Indiana University and a bachelor's degree, also in French, from Connecticut College. She serves on the boards of the Luce Foundation, MBIA Inc, the Lyman Allyn Museum of Art, Citizens Bank and the National Charities Information Bureau. She is a member of the Century Association, a fellow of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences and a member of Phi Beta Kappa.

The author of six books and monographs and more than 80 articles, Dr. Gaudiani is currently working on a seventh book titled The Wisdom Tradition: Our Lost Inheritance. She is a frequent speaker both nationally and internationally on topics related to education, philanthropy, ethics and the role of colleges in civil society.

The Jack Rudin & John G. Driscoll Distinguished Visiting Professorship at Iona College was established with a grant from Jack '86H, '93H and Susan Rudin. Invitations are extended each year to one or more outstanding scholars to serve as visiting professors at Iona. Speaking of the Rudin/Driscoll Visiting Professorship, President James A. Liguori, CFC, said, "Our association with internationally recognized scholars provides an essential opportunity for members of the Iona community to expand the horizons of their own teaching, learning and research."

Past honorees have included Ralph Acampora '63, managing director, Prudential Securities; Don Hewitt, executive producer, 60 Minutes; Susan Fisher, professor of Sociology, Wesleyan University; Thomas Donaldson, professor of Business Ethics, Georgetown University; James Kugel, professor of Hebrew Literature, Harvard University; and Thomas J. Flanagan, distinguished professor of English, SUNY at Stony Brook.

For questions or more information please contact:
Meghan Finn
Public Relations Office
Iona College, 715 North Avenue, New Rochelle, N.Y. 10801
tel: 914 633-2005 fax: 914 637-2711

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