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L. JAY OLIVA

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New York University

L. OLIVA Obituary

OLIVA--L. Jay. The NYU community grieves deeply the loss of its cherished 14th president, L. Jay Oliva. No one served NYU better or more faithfully than he, or did more to shape the NYU we know today. Starting as a member of the history faculty in 1960, he went on to be the last dean of the Heights campus, helping to guide NYU through some of its most challenging moments. From that point forward, through his tenure as chancellor and then president, he had a key hand in engineering what has been described as the greatest success story in contemporary American higher education. Understanding the diversity of student success at NYU, he cheered on NYU's top students, our athletes, our performing artists, and our community service volunteers. Educator, mentor, leader, and great colleague and friend -- he loved NYU through-and-through, believed in its promise, and led the way in making NYU a respected national research university and jump-starting its global efforts. All those who wear violet mourn today, and we send our deepest sympathies to his wife of 54 years, Mary Ellen, his son Eddie and wife Christine, and his son Jay, wife Tina, and their children Caelinn and Declan. His absence from our community will be keenly felt, but his memory will live on in the great institution he did so much to build. Martin Lipton, Chair, NYU Board of Trustees John Sexton, President, NYU

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Published by New York Times on Apr. 18, 2014.

Memories and Condolences
for L. OLIVA

20 Entries

David Singer

April 12, 2023

Peter the Great. Vandaam to Azov. Never forget all that thanks to you
David´66

john crawford

April 28, 2014

Jay and I spent many hours together as classmates at St. Patrick's H.S. in Newburgh and at Manhattan - a great friend and wonderful talent.
He and the Oliva family are in our prayers.
John Crawford, Buffalo, NY

david singer

April 25, 2014

a great teacher, a Russian History scholar sec on to none and a generous, joyful man a terrible loss for us all

Ron Katz

April 24, 2014

Jay was my teacher and mentor, guiding me to successes that I did not even know existed. His inspirational character leaves many great legacies.

Carla Zoogman

April 23, 2014

I had the tremendously good fortune to study both Western
Civilization and Russian History with Professor Oliva at the Heights campus in the 1960's, as did my husband. Because
of Professor Oliva's superb, inspirational teaching and attention, both my husband and I went on to study Soviet
Area Studies in graduate school. His charismatic, insightful, devoted, kind, witty approach to students and teaching were inspirational and life-changing, and my husband and I will always feel very grateful to him.

Arthur Gutekunst

April 22, 2014

Sorry to hear about his passing. He was a very positive influence during my time at NYU. Heights 73 Law 76

Ruth & Avram Pengas

April 21, 2014

History will recognize the extent to which L. Jay Oliva shaped NYU and influenced higher education and the arts in NYC, but for those who were part of NYU during his tenure, he is remembered for his leadership in creating a family of educators and employees who shared his vision and commitment to the University. Our sincere condolences to Mary Ellen, their sons, and their families. We will miss him. Maynhe rest in peace,

Denis Kelly

April 21, 2014

I am so very sad to hear of Dr. Oliva's passing. More than 20 years ago he was a great friend as Chancellor to many students and athletes alike. He never spared a thought or kind word to anyone who came across his path. As President he continued to share his many gifts with the entire NYU community.

Loyal, dedicated and a true scholar he was simply one of a kind. I am thankful for the gift of his presence in my life.

Condolences to his family during this difficult time.

Beth Truche' Kelly

April 21, 2014

My heart felt prayers to Mary Ellen and all the family. God Bless.

April 20, 2014

he was a fine classmate and friend and had a wonderful career. he will be missed.

bill reilly

April 20, 2014

To fmaily of L. Jay Oliva,

I had fond memories of Jay as a student at NYU in the 70s and 80s and as an active alumnus and former President of the Wagner School Alumni Association. The NYU of today owes much to Jay's legacy. May he rest in peace.

Pilar Gorordo-Rolandi, GSAS '79; Wagner '92;
Stephen R. Rolandi, CAS '76; Wagner/GPA '80

John Paluszek

April 19, 2014

To the best man at our wedding -- and the best man in many contexts -- rest in peace.

Paul Snatchko

April 19, 2014

In 1997, I took President Oliva's course on the history of the Russian Empire. He was a superb teacher and the course was a highlight of my years at NYU. Dr. Oliva also was an excellent president for NYU. I always found him to be incredibly dedicated and very accessible. He was a role model in leadership for me and many others. May he rest in peace.

fjohn reinke (mc1968)

April 19, 2014

The Manhattan College alumni community shares the grief, and is now praying for our fellow alumni and the family at this time. The Alumni Office has been informed. As well as the Jasper Jottings community that I personally can reach. We are all a little poorer now. "No man is an island, entire of itself ... any man's death diminishes me". We are sorry for your loss.

Enjoy the sunset. One love.

Anthony Blake

April 18, 2014

Goodbye LJ will always remember you, and my prayers go out to your family. Thanks for sharing your love with all of those you knew. You were loved by many.

April 18, 2014

Very sorry for your loss. May the "God of all comfort" bring you peace. 2 Cor 1:3; JF

Fernando Ferrer

April 18, 2014

Wonderful leader and a Dragon! I thoroughly enjoyed watching and knowing him from the time I first walked on the Heights Campus to the moment we shared at an Honors Convocation in the '90s. Condolences to the Oliva Family and RIP

Brian Ward

April 18, 2014

I remember Jay as my favorite uncle. He made growing up fun for me.

Nicholas Falcone Arena

April 18, 2014

deep and sincere condolences to friends
and family. He was a Russian scholar.

April 18, 2014

Will miss you jay. A cherished nyu citizen of the first order

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