Testimony of Gregory Albanis
Senior Director of University Events
New York University
Before the New York City Planning Commission
For the Public Hearing on The New York University Core Project
April 25, 2012
Good Afternoon.
My name is Greg Albanis and I enthusiastically endorse the NYU 2031 plan. I speak to you today wearing a number of hats.
- I serve as Senior Director of University Events at the Washington Square Campus. This year marks my 31st year of service
- I came to Washington Square in 1970 and attended the College of Arts and Science and never left.
- The Albanis/Papalexis family counts 16 NYU degrees. My parents and all my aunts and uncles met at the Square.
- I lived on Bleecker Street for 15 years and a total of 17 years in the village.
My story is not unlike the thousands of NYU alumni who came to Washington Square from all over the US and the world.
I have fond memories of my undergraduate and graduate days at the Square. I choose not to remember however the long elevator lines in old buildings, eating lunches in the hallways due to lack of lounge space and never being able to secure meeting space for clubs and events.
I know firsthand because I spent 15 years working in admissions at NYU. New York City is the business and cultural capital of the world because it is constantly being fed with new talent. They come to study here and stay here, nurturing our neighborhood and diversifying our economy.
I have been privileged to be at NYU during its amazing trajectory these past 30 years. NYU can’t continue without being able to grow at its core.
NYU has been an integral member of the village community for close to 200 years and a lifeline to the NYC economy. In order to remain competitive and be on the cutting edge of knowledge, it desperately needs more space to fulfill its mission. NYU deserves the endorsement of its 2031 plan.
So I stand here before you an employee of NYU, an alumnus, a resident of the village and a proud New Yorker, asking you to endorse this plan for the village, for New York and for thousands of alumni like me in New York and around the world.
