Former Vassar President Dies

Virginia B. Smith, a former president of Vassar College, has died in Alamo, Calif., at age 87, reports The New York Times. Smith served as president from 1977 to 1986. The Times reports Smith was the second woman to run the of the liberal arts college in Poughkeepsie, N.Y., and the first one to arrive there after it had become coeducational in 1969. Smith was an influential leader at the college, noted for a $100 million fund-raising drive as well as raising faculty salaries and reinforcing the college's commitment to minorities.

Smith is survived by her partner of 57 years, Florence Oaks.