DONALD AXINN

AXINN--Donald E. The Hofstra community is deeply saddened by the passing of Donald E. Axinn, trustee emeritus of the Hofstra University Board of Trustees. Mr. Axinn was the founder and chairman of the Donald E. Axinn Companies, an investment firm and developer of office and industrial parks throughout the New York metropolitan area. Mr. Axinn combined his two great passions, flying and writing, in many of his published works: his three novels, eleven books of poetry and published articles and essays. Mr. Axinn first served on Hofstra's Board of Trustees from 1970 to 1979, including terms as Secretary and Vice Chair. He took a leave from the Board in 1971-1972 to assume, on a pro bono basis, the Associate Deanship of the Hofstra College of Liberal Arts and Sciences and to be Director of the Institute of the Arts. He was made a Trustee Emeritus in 1979. He joined the University's 50th Anniversary Committee in 1983, and he rejoined the Board of Trustees as an active trustee in 1984. In 1987, he received the Estabrook Award from the Alumni Organization. In 1988, in recognition of his many accomplishments and his service as a valued advisor to the University, the Hofstra University Library was named the Joan and Donald E. Axinn Library. He retired from the Board of Trustees in 1990 and once again became a Trustee Emeritus. In addition, at the time of the library naming, the annual Axinn Lecture and a fund in support of ecology and conservation were created from an endowment Mr. and Mrs. Axinn provided. In 2003, Mr. Axinn was honored at the annual Hofstra University Gala with the Hofstra University Presidential Medal, the highest honor the University bestows upon an individual. Mr. Axinn was renowned for his support of the arts and of the metropolitan New York area, having co-founded the Interfaith Nutrition Network, and served on a number of boards for the past three decades, including the Cradle of Aviation, which named an exhibit hall in honor of his generosity. He is a graduate of Middlebury College and has a master of arts in humanities (with distinction) from Hofstra, and he has also been awarded five honorary doctorates. In tribute to the memory of Mr. Axinn, all Hofstra University flags will be lowered to half staff. Marilyn Monter Chair, Board of Trustees Stuart Rabinowitz President Hofstra University