41 Cooper Square, designed by Morphosis  —  © Brian Rose

Adrian Jovanovic Hall — proposed

Currently, the no name New Academic Building. A much maligned architectural wonder — largely because of its connection to Cooper’s financial problems — it was intended as a bold step into the future for the school.

Turning things around at Cooper was a community effort, but it would not have happened without the leadership of Adrian Jovanovic. His tragic death last year stunned everyone, but his inspiration remains a powerful presence. The board of trustees has adopted a plan to return to free tuition within 10 years, and hope, albeit cautious, now prevails where once there was much anguish and despair.

In that spirit, it does not diminish our individual and collective roles to say, that Adrian Jovanovic saved Cooper Union. He deserves recognition and honor.