Peter Diamandopoulos

Peter Theodore Diamandopoulos (September 1, 1928 – April 1, 2015) was a Greek–American academic administrator. He served as the president of Sonoma State University from 1977 to 1983, when he was forced to resign; followed by serving as the seventh president of Adelphi University from 1985 until his dismissal in 1997, due to the school's financial problems.

Peter Diamandopoulos
4th President of Sonoma State University
In office 1977–1983
Preceded by	Marjorie Downing Wagner
Succeeded by	David W. Benson
7th President of Adelphi University
In office 1985–1995
Preceded by	Timothy Costello
Succeeded by	Igor Webb
Personal details
Born	September 1, 1928 Iraklion, Crete, Greece
Died	April 1, 2015 Manhattan, New York, U.S.
Education	Athens College, Harvard University
Nickname	Dr. D

Early life and education

He was born in Iraklion, Crete, to Theodore Diamandopoulos and Margarita Mouzenidis. He attended Athens College, then moved to the United States in 1948 to study philosophy at Harvard University.^[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 when he was forced to resign after continuing controversy including multiple censures and a faculty vote of no confidence.^[2]

In 1985, Diamandopoulos was appointed president of Adelphi University.^[3] Seeking to improve the school's academic reputation, Diamandopoulos raised tuition and reduced faculty.^[4][5] 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.^[6] 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.^[7] For this conflict of interest, she, Diamandopoulos, and sixteen other members of the board were removed from their posts.^[8] A week later, a newly appointed board removed Diamandopoulos from the office of president.^[9] He sued Adelphi University, and settled for $1.4 million.^[10]

In December 1998, Diamandopoulos was named special assistant to John Silber, the president of Boston University.^[11] He retired in 2008, and died in Manhattan on April 1, 2015.^[1]

References

1. Roberts, Sam (April 7, 2015). "Peter Diamandopoulos, Divisive Adelphi University President, Dies at 86". New York Times. Archived from the original on May 20, 2015. Retrieved May 18, 2015. Alt URL
2. "Dr. D Controversy Follows Ex-SSU Chief To New York". Santa Rosa Press Democrat. October 23, 1995. Retrieved August 23, 2020.
3. "Peter Diamandopoulos". New York Times. April 5, 2015. Retrieved May 18, 2015 – via Legacy.com.
4. Lambert, Bruce (September 23, 1998). "Adelphi Enrollment Rises After 12 Years of Decline". New York Times. Retrieved May 18, 2015.
5. Burghardt, Linda F. (January 25, 2004). "Adelphi Savors Its Rebound". New York Times. Retrieved May 18, 2015.
6. 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.
7. 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.
8. Lambert, Bruce (February 11, 1997). "NEW YORK REGENTS OUST 18 TRUSTEES FROM ADELPHI U." New York Times. Retrieved May 18, 2015.
9. Lambert, Bruce (February 21, 1997). "New Trustees of Adelphi U. Dismiss Embattled President". New York Times. Retrieved May 18, 2015.
10. Halbfinger, David M. (November 18, 1998). "Lawsuits Over Ouster of Adelphi Chief Are Settled". New York Times. Retrieved May 18, 2015.
11. 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.

External links

• Peter Diamandopoulos collected news and commentary at The New York Times