Loss of Beloved Cooper Union Faculty Member and Former Dean

Dear Cooper Union,

It is with a heavy heart and deep sadness that I write to reflect on the passing of Professor and former Dean Anthony Vidler. Tony was a steady force in the School of Architecture and a passionate supporter of The Cooper Union’s mission for over two decades. During his tenure, which included 12 years as Dean of the School of Architecture, Tony mentored countless students and faculty, guiding them to recognize and reach their full potential and, in doing so, shaping generations of professionals and scholars in the field of architecture and beyond.

Tony arrived at Cooper Union shortly after founding Dean John Hejduk’s death, inheriting a deeply saddened community that, one week into his deanship, experienced the tragedy of the September 11 attacks. His sound presence and commitment to his colleagues and students on a personal level provided healing during this difficult time. His acumen, sense of character, and wit set the standard for a dean, professor, and colleague that many have since aspired to model.  Since he stepped down from the deanship in 2013, Tony has continued to teach, mentor, and contribute his sage judgement as a member of the faculty.

Outside our own community, his vision, practice, and scholarly contributions made him an international figure of respect and significance in the field of architecture. In addition to his contributions as an educator, Tony was an acclaimed historian, curator, and critic, with a deft ability to relate design ideologies and principles of centuries past to present-day understandings.

As Acting Dean Eber shared in her message with the School of Architecture earlier today, “He was an indefatigable advocate for the faculty and a generous colleague, offering mentorship and support, launching numerous academic careers. Tony was an exceptional historian and a uniquely gifted thinker.”

On a personal level, I am deeply grateful for the opportunity I had to work with him and to learn from him. He was a constant reminder of the many dimensions an individual can bring to bear. While he was a historian, someone who by definition spends much time focused on the past, he was also one of the most important voices at Cooper helping to shape the future of our institution. His urgent commitment to creating an environment for our students focused on their roles in addressing the world’s greatest challenges will reverberate within our walls and far beyond for generations to come.

With Tony’s passing, the world has lost a brilliant mind and the sense of warmth and humanity the world needs. The Cooper Union has lost a pillar of our community. I encourage you to lean on one another during this difficult time and seek support through others who knew and loved Tony. Resources for support are available for students through our Student Care Team (studentcare@cooper.edu) and counseling services, accessible here. For faculty and staff, the Employee Assistance Program’s hotline number is 800-252-4555.

We will share memorial plans in honor of Tony as we learn of them and develop our plans here at Cooper.

With support,

Laura

  • Founded by inventor, industrialist and philanthropist Peter Cooper in 1859, The Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art offers education in art, architecture and engineering, as well as courses in the humanities and social sciences.

  • “My feelings, my desires, my hopes, embrace humanity throughout the world,” Peter Cooper proclaimed in a speech in 1853. He looked forward to a time when, “knowledge shall cover the earth as waters cover the great deep.”

  • From its beginnings, Cooper Union was a unique institution, dedicated to founder Peter Cooper's proposition that education is the key not only to personal prosperity but to civic virtue and harmony.

  • Peter Cooper wanted his graduates to acquire the technical mastery and entrepreneurial skills, enrich their intellects and spark their creativity, and develop a sense of social justice that would translate into action.