College 'founder' Alexandroff dead at 78 By Amber Holst Editor-in-Chief Mirron Alexandroff      Columbia President Emeritus Mirron "Mike" Alexandroff, 78, died Friday, April 20, at Northwestern Memorial Hospital after a brief illness.      Alexandroff lead the college from a small trade school with a bleak reputation to the nationally known liberal arts college of today. As president of the college from 1964 to 1992, Alexandroff was responsible for instituting the policies that now define the college. He promoted utilizing Chicago area media professionals as instructors, pushed for higher minority enrollments and made upper education accessible through policies such as open enrollment.      Under his tutelage, the college grew from less than 200 students to more than 7,000 (currently the college has nearly 10,000 students). During the same time, the college expanded from a one-floor school to one of the largest landholders in the South Loop, and the college's budget skyrocketed from $100,000 to $80 million.      "The unique and remarkable Columbia College Chicago we know today would not exist without his vision and energy," said Warrick L. Carter, president of Columbia, in a statement. "Words cannot describe the immense influence he has had on this institution, on arts and communications education in this country, and-directly or indirectly-on the lives of all of us in the Columbia community. As a leader, a mentor, and a friend, we will miss him deeply."      "You could trace (Columbia College) back to the 1890s but he is the founder in its modern form," said Dominic Pacyga, faculty member in the Liberal Arts department. "The college flowered under his direction. He really was this good guy-bright, dymanic, interesting and a person who had heart."      Born and raised on the city's South Side, Alexandroff first became associated with Columbia as a psychologist and later manager when the college ran the Psychological Guidance Center as an independent agency for the Veterans Administration.      A memorial service for Alexandroff is to be announced by school officials. The Columbia Chronicle would like to hear your opinion on this topic. Note: If your browser does not support multiple windows, click here. Back to top   |   Home Copyright © 2001, Columbia Chronicle Columbia Chronicle articles, photos, and graphics are the property of the Columbia Chronicle and may not be reproduced or published without written permission from the staff, editors, or faculty advisor. The Columbia Chronicle is a student produced publication of Columbia College Chicago and does not necessarily represent, in whole or in part, the views of Columbia College administrators, faculty or students.

April 23, 2001 This week in Campus News: Tuition increase set for next fall Columbia teacher, students produce provcative film Area college students unite for poetry Cuban officials visit Columbia More colleges requiring assesment for graduates CCABJ hosts media mixer Students create global campaign News and Notes Search our archive: The Columbia Chronicle is an award-winning college newspaper written and distributed weekly by the students at Views expressed here are not necessarily those of the Journalism Department or the college. Visit the Columbia College Chicago Web Site