MIDDLEBURY — David Ginevan, former executive vice president and treasurer of Middlebury College and a prominent figure in the Middlebury town community, died on Sunday, Aug. 22. The 68-year-old had been living in Sun City Center, Fla., with his wife, Anne, for the past few years.
During his 32-year tenure at the college, Ginevan was instrumental in the growth of Middlebury College. According to college officials, the institution’s endowment grew by eight fold during his time as treasurer. Later, as vice president for facilities, he oversaw the construction of a number of dormitories; the college’s arts, science and athletic centers; and its new library, nearly tripling the square footage on campus.
“If I had to identify a single most influential person, most positive influence for change, at Middlebury in my three decades here, it would be Dave,” said associate professor Karl Lindholm, who served as dean of students for four years while Ginevan was at the school. “If Middlebury has an enhanced reputation in the world of higher education, Dave Ginevan was very important in that process.”
Ginevan moved to Middlebury from his work as director of housing at Pittsburgh’s Carnegie Mellon University in 1973, starting his 32 years as budget director and assistant treasurer. In 1983 he was promoted to vice president of administration and treasurer, and in 1999 he became treasurer emeritus and executive vice president for facilities planning.
His time at the college was characterized by the institution’s rapid growth and transition, but also by his responsible handling of the college’s finances.
“Under his leadership as treasurer, college finances were carefully managed and allocated to institutional priorities, and under his leadership as (vice president) for facilities planning the college built a library and a science center, several residence halls, and an athletics center that because of their design and their quality of construction will serve the college well for many years to come,” wrote Middlebury College President Emeritus John McCardell in an e-mail. He worked closely with Ginevan until he stepped down as president in 2004.
McCardell, now vice-chancellor of The University of the South in Tennessee, added that Ginevan was one of the most down-to-earth people he has ever known.
“He was a pleasure to work with,” McCardell said. “(He had) a keen mind, a great sense of humor, and a genuine affection for all those with whom he worked.”
“Those of us in Student Affairs liked to work with Dave Ginevan,” Lindholm said. “He didn’t always do what we wanted, but he was always fair and gave us a good hearing.”
In his role at the college, Ginevan had a great deal of interaction with the town of Middlebury. Selectboard chair John Tenny spoke on Tuesday of his interactions with Ginevan.
“He was a large promoter of the relationship between the college and the town,” Tenny said. “David always had a different perspective. He had a way of looking at things that weren’t necessarily what most would think of, and a great ability to analyze and look at pathways.
“I worked with David over the course of many years,” he added. “I’ll miss him a great deal.”
In addition to his work at the college, David and Anne Ginevan were active members of the local community.
Anne Ginevan served as executive director of the United Way of Addison County for 15 years, was a representative in the Vermont House and served as the commissioner of the Vermont Department of Employment and Training.
David Ginevan served 10 years on the board of Porter Medical Center, and, according to Lindholm, was an avid sports fan, always loyal to the teams of his native Pennsylvania.
David Ginevan is survived by his wife, Anne, and by their three children, Douglas, Colleen and Kate, as well as several grandchildren.
“(David Ginevan) was intensely loyal to Middlebury College and also to the town of Middlebury,” McCardell said. “I will miss Dave very much.”
Reporter Andrea Suozzo is at [email protected].