Sabina and Oliver Jovanovic are deeply saddened by the loss of their beloved son and brother, Adrian Burton Jovanovic. Adrian died in a tragic accident on June 17, 2017 while hiking in Washington State. Adrian lived his life fully committed to all that he believed in and loved—from friends and travel, to music and software design, to learning and education. His generosity, passion, and intelligence will be profoundly missed.
Adrian was the product of two extraordinary institutions of free education, Hunter College High School and The Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art. Their gift of learning strongly influenced his outlook on life, igniting an enduring curiosity about the world and a deep sense of civic responsibility.
Adrian was deeply troubled by the decision made to charge tuition at Cooper Union in 2013. He saw it as a fundamental betrayal of Peter Cooper’s vision and resolved to fight for the principle of free education. Adrian was a founder of the Committee to Save Cooper Union, an organization of students, faculty and graduates that mounted a successful legal challenge to this decision. Later, as an elected member of the Board of Trustees, Adrian worked tirelessly with his fellow trustees to help Cooper Union fulfill its promise to restore free education.
Adrian was determined that Cooper Union once again be free to all, and he was hopeful that the positive changes he witnessed this past year would continue. His family and friends know that completing that work would be the greatest possible tribute. We ask all those that loved and respected him to work together to finish what he started for the benefit of future generations.
Link to announcement on Cooper.edu
Link to Alumni Profile for Adrian Jovanovic