Cornell University president Elizabeth Garrett died Sunday night in her New York City home after receiving treatment for colon cancer, the Cornell Sun reported. She was 52 years old.
Garrett, Cornell's thirteenth president, was elected on Sept. 30, 2014 and inaugurated on Sept. 18, 2015. She announced in February that she was undergoing treatment for colon cancer, and delegated some of her responsibilities to other senior administrators.
During her time as president, Garrett addressed housing issues for graduate students, approved a student-run grocery store and defended free speech. Some of her actions also led to controversy, including her reversal of a carbon neutrality goal and her decision to form the College of Business.
“She was the quintessential Cornellian,” Chair of the Cornell Board of Trustees Robert Harrison wrote in an email to the Cornell community Monday morning. “From the moment I met her during the presidential search, it was clear to me that she had the intellect, energy and vision not only to lead Cornell, but to be one of the greatest presidents in our 150-year history.”
Harrison announced in an email last month that Provost Michael Kotlikoff would serve as Acting President of the University when President Elizabeth Garrett underwent treatment. The administration has not yet released information about when the search for a replacement will begin.
Penn President Amy Gutmann offered her condolences in a statement Tuesday.
"Everyone who knew Elizabeth Garrett was immediately touched by her intellect, her wit, and her unwavering commitment to the value of higher education," she wrote. "Her passing is a devastating loss to all of us who worked with her, loved her, and cared about her. Higher education has lost one of its true rising stars. She demonstrated tremendous courage and grace to the end. She will be greatly missed, and I extend my deepest sympathy to her spouse, family, friends and the entire Cornell community.”
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