Tony Marx, who left the presidency of the College at the end of last year to become president of the New York Public Library, was arrested and charged with driving while intoxicated in New York City on Sunday afternoon. According to The Wall Street Journal’s Metropolis blog, which first reported the story, Marx was driving a Library-owned vehicle around 5 p.m. Sunday afternoon when the 2009 Audi he was driving glanced off a parked car on 138th East Street.
The close of the spring semester last May brought with it the desperate anticipation of summer, the frenzied stress of finals, the end of Tony Marx’s term as president of Amherst and a combination of all three.
Upperclassmen may remember coming into Valentine and finding all the framed pictures in the dining hall, formerly of college history and old buildings, changed to photographs of our 18th president.
What makes a president? As President Tony Marx’s tenure at the College draws to a close, a reflection on his eight years here begs an answer to this question. One might discuss his work improving campus diversity, reaching out to international students and across socioeconomic divides. Or one might knock off a few thousand words on his dedication to increasing student financial aid.
The College boasts on the front page of its website that the average financial aid package provided to students is over $37,000. Fully half of the student body benefits from financial aid, and the College’s commitment to its no-loans policy means that students need not worry about being haunted by the cost of an excellent education. Operating on a need-blind philosophy, even during times of economic difficulty, the College’s commitment to financial aid has been a direct investment in a more socioeconomically diverse campus community.
On June 30, 2011, President Tony Marx will conclude his time at the College in order to serve as the President of the New York Public Library. Marx has had a profound impact on the College during his eight years here. In this three-part series, The Student examines the highlights of Marx’s presidential legacy.
