In Memoriam: Gregg Labita

The Department of Middle Eastern, South Asian and African Studies(MESAAS) announces the passing of the MESAAS Business Manager Gregg Labita on January 2nd, 2021. Gregg was a valued member of the staff with his cheerful presence and professional skills in financial management.  Prior to joining MESAAS,  Gregg worked in the Physics Department as their Business Officer. Before joining Columbia University, Gregg  worked in the music industry at Universal Music for 28 years, most recently as Senior Credit Analyst.  Gregg was passionate about all forms of music and he specialized in rock guitar. He was also an avid photographer and  enjoyed travel and hiking in diverse places in the US and abroad. Gregg was regarded by all who knew him as generous and kind. He is survived by his children, Alex Labita Kozik and Dylan Labita, and his partner, Claudia Breger, Villard Professor of German and Comparative Literature in the Department of Germanic Languages at Columbia University.