Page 17 - NYLS Magazine • 2015 • Vol. 34, No. 1

in MeMoriaM
KaThleen grimm
“Kathleen’s extraordinary service and love for New York Law School and New York City were unparalleled. Kathleen was just as powerful, bold, and wise, as she was tender, caring, and dryly witty. And, she was as fearless as they come. She worked tirelessly for NYLS for more than three decades to build this institution in so many ways: from her work as a leader of our Alumni Association, as an Adjunct Professor teaching and mentoring students, and as a long-time Member of the Board of Trustees, serving on the Executive Committee and as Chair of the Budget Committee. As a result, we have so much about which to be proud, and so much to celebrate about the value and meaning of a New York Law School education.”
Anthony W. Crowell Dean and President
The New York Law School community mourns the passing of Trustee Kathleen Grimm ’80. Ms. Grimm had a long record of dedication to public service, most recently as Deputy Chancellor of Operations at the New York City Department of Education. She was a long-time member of the New York Law School Board of Trustees and also served on NYLS’s Alumni Association Board of Directors for over two decades, including as Past President.
Ms. Grimm graduated from NYLS cum laude in 1980 and then earned an LL.M. (Tax) from New York University School of Law. She worked as an IRS estate tax attorney and in private practice before embarking on her long career in public service. She served five Mayors, one State Comptroller, seven City Commissioners, and four City Schools Chancellors. She was First Deputy Commissioner of the New York City Department of Finance, New York State Deputy Comptroller for the City of New York, and had been Deputy Chancellor at the NYC Department of Education for 12 years before her retirement in January 2015.
At New York Law School’s 122nd Commencement Exercises in May 2014, the Law School awarded her the President’s Medal in recognition of her inspiring leadership, her distinguished and dedicated service to the Law School, and her outstanding accomplishments and influence in the fields of law and education.
On February 11, 2015, the NYLS Board of Trustees established the Kathleen Grimm ’80 Government Service Scholarship Fund and the Kathleen Grimm Medal for Distinguished Public Service in her honor. At the 123rd Commencement Exercises this past May, the Law School awarded the inaugural Kathleen Grimm Medal to Hon. Faviola A. Soto ’78, a Judge on the New York State Court of Claims. The medal was awarded to Judge Soto in recognition of her distinguished career in public service, both as a practitioner and on the bench, and for her professionalism and leadership. Ms. Grimm’s sister Barbara Grimm presented the Grimm Medal to Judge Soto during the ceremony.
The Law School community extends condolences to Kathleen Grimm’s two sisters, six brothers, 10 nieces and nephews, and three grandnieces and nephews.
Kathleen Grimm with fellow Trustee Gerald C. Crotty ’76 at the 2007 Gala
Arthur N. Abbey ’59, Chairman of the NYLS Board of Trustees, presenting the President’s Medal to Kathleen Grimm at the 2014 Commencement Exercises
Barbara Grimm (right), Kathleen Grimm’s sister, presenting the inaugural Kathleen Grimm Medal for Distinguished Public Service to Hon. Faviola A. Soto ’78 at the 2015 Commencement Exercises
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