Claire Gaudiani Obituary – Cause of Death: Former president of Connecticut College, Claire Gaudiani dies in New York City

Claire Gaudiani has passed away in New York City, an online obituary announced on Friday, October 18, 2024.

Gaudiani was the former president of Connecticut College and the head of a contentious New London regeneration project. Reid MacCluggage, the previous publisher of The Day, described Gaudiani as a vivacious figure who is most known for coining the phrase “hip little city” to represent her vision for the potential of New London.

She was instrumental in luring Pfizer Inc. to locate its $300 million global research center in the region and revitalizing the redevelopment organization with state money for the Fort Trumbull project while serving as the head of the New London Development Corp. During her tenure, she made important contributions to the development and regeneration of New London, which will be part of her legacy.

Claire Gaudiani served as president of Connecticut College from 1988 until 2001 and continues to serve as volunteer president of the New London Development Corporation. She is currently a senior research scholar at Yale Law School and lives in Groton and New Haven, Connecticut.