James, Debra, 1953-2000.

A native of Bayonne, NJ, Debra James earned her B.A. and M.A. degrees at NYU and took her first job as an administrative assistant to then-Chancellor Sidney Borowitz. Over the years she served in a succession of increasingly responsible positions, including director of admissions, assistant chancellor, associate chancellor, and a vice president, always working closely with deans of the schools and with University chancellors and presidents. In 1998 she was appointed one of the Universitys three senior vice presidents. In this role, James fulfilled major responsibilities across a remarkably broad range of University activities and programs. However, she was principally distinguished by a personal approach to her duties that made her an admired figure among students, faculty, staff, and University friends and neighbors. In all her undertakings, she sought to fashion connections among members of the NYU family and a spirit of community throughout the University. Among the areas under her leadership were the office of Student Affairs, the Office of Commencement and Special Events, the Faculty Resource Network, the Presidents C-Team, and the Office of Community Service. She also had vital roles in the establishment and growth of NYUs America Reads program, the Africana Studies Program, and the Asian Pacific American Studies Program. She also had significant involvement in the development of the Universitys study abroad programs and in the La Pietra site in particular, where she cultivated strong and cordial personal ties between NYU and the Florentine community. She also oversaw the development of the Universitys new faculty and staff dining venue, The Torch Club. James died in 2000.