Tireless Commitment to Columbia

"Jim Valentini never lost sight of the simple fact that a university is made up of its students and faculty. At no time did either group ever doubt his tireless commitment to Columbia College. From the candid and welcoming interviews he gave to student publications at the very beginning of his term as dean, through his long years of listening to students and working to improve their lives, to his passionate advocacy for the entire faculty in the first pandemic summer, he set an example that should inspire future generations of administrators in their service to the students and faculty of the College."

David B. Lurie
Associate Professor of Japanese History and Literature
Department of East Asian Languages and Cultures