was at that time the first billion-dollar campaign undertaken by an American university. Launched in 1985 under Oliva's predecessor, John Brademas, the campaign was successfully completed five years ahead of schedule. He signed the first contract between a private university and a graduate assistant labor union, the Graduate Student Organizing Committee of Local 2110/United Auto Workers. Oliva died on April 17, 2014, aged 80, of pancreatic cancer. References External links 1933 births 2014 deaths American people of Italian descent American people of Irish descent Deaths from pancreatic cancer Manhattan College alumni People from Walden, New York Place of death missing Presidents of New York University Syracuse University alumni