BCC welcomed CUNY Vice Chancellor for University Advancement Todd Michael Galitz to campus for an important discussion about one of our most treasured landmarks: Gould Memorial Library (GML). Joining him was the GML Advisory Group – whose members bring extraordinary expertise in architecture, preservation, and development – including Sam White (great grandson of Stanford White) of PBDW Architects, Sherida Paulsen of PKSB Architects, Michael Parley of Development Consulting Services, and Richard Southwick of Beyer Blinder Belle. BCC VP of External Relations/BCC Foundation President Eddy Bayardelle and Interim VP for Administration Octavio Gomez also participated.

The group reviewed GML’s extraordinary history and the preservation work completed to date. The meeting also focused on our shared commitment to continued advocacy for this architectural treasure. While GML has undergone critical stabilization and restoration work in recent years, there is additional important work ahead; the Vice Chancellor’s visit reaffirmed CUNY’s commitment to continued advocacy and future restoration efforts.

Gould Memorial Library – modeled after the Pantheon in Rome and designed by the legendary Stanford White – is one of the nation’s finest examples of Beaux-Arts architecture. Its dramatic rotunda, Classical Revival design, and rich legacy as the symbolic heart of campus have earned it numerous landmark designations at the city, state, and national levels. Beyond its historic significance, GML continues to be a vibrant part of campus life and a cultural asset for New York City, frequently featured in major movies and television productions.