Brown University News Bureau

The Brown University News Bureau

1997-1998 index

Distributed May 23, 1998
Contact: Tracie Sweeney

Gregorian portrait unveiled

Thayer Street dorm renamed in honor of President Emeritus Gregorian

The Thayer Street Quadrangle has been renamed the Vartan Gregorian Quadrangle to honor Brown University's 16th president. Also, a portrait of Gregorian, which will hang in Sayles Hall, was unveiled May 22.

PROVIDENCE, R.I. -- The Thayer Street Quadrangle, a 300-bed dormitory at Thayer, Power and Charlesfield streets, has been renamed the Vartan Gregorian Quadrangle.

The announcement was made Friday, May 22, at a dinner of the Corporation of the University. The Advisory and Executive Committee of the Corporation approved the name change at its meeting April 17.

"The words that our buildings whisper down to the Brown students of the future will always now include the name Vartan Gregorian," Chancellor Artemis A.W. Joukowsky said at the dinner. "And it is my greatest hope tonight that those students of Brown who will walk in the Gregorian Quadrangle for decades to come will know of this great president's determination, his drive, and his love for Brown."

It was Gregorian himself who sat at the controls of a backhoe in May 1990 when ground was broken for the $15.5-million dormitory complex, which opened in the fall of 1991.

The Gregorian Quadrangle, the University's first air-conditioned residence hall, features four-bedroom suites with common living rooms, several community kitchens, a library-lounge and a snack bar. It also houses 24 University guest rooms and a faculty apartment.

A portrait of Gregorian painted by Warren Prosperi of Southborough, Mass., was unveiled May 22. The portrait will hang in Sayles Hall in the company of other presidents, chancellors and distinguished persons from Brown's 234-year history.

######
97-135