"He felt he did what he could," said Brown Prof. Sheila Blumstein, who was dean when Gregorian began his term there. "He did an extraordinary job."
Gregorian is leaving Brown to become president of the Carnegie Corporation in New York City.
In a letter addressed to Brown Chancellor Alva Way, Gregorian thanked the university for giving him "the opportunity to serve (Brown University), our youth and our nation." The letter also stated, "Nine years of service is enough ... I have accomplished most of my goals I set for myself when I arrived at Brown."
Gregorian was a finalist in the search for the 11th president of the University of Michigan in 1987.
Gregorian's candidacy came to an end when former Regent Deane Baker (R-Ann Arbor) privately warned Gregorian that he would oppose Gregorian's policies as university president. As a result, Gregorian withdrew his name from consideration and James Duderstadt ultimately was selected as president.
Brown University chose Gregorian as its 12th president in 1988. Since then, Gregorian has enhanced the university's standing by adding 11 new departments, hiring 256 new faculty members, instituting the University Course program to broaden student education, expanding the library and increasing university public service.
But Gregorian will be most remembered for establishing financial stability at a struggling university.
"He successfully led the largest fund-raising drive," said Mark Nickel, director of the Brown University News Bureau. The drive produced $534 million.
The endowment also increased 213 percent during Gregorian's tenure.
"Very important is the fact that he gave Brown so much more financial stability than it had before," said Brown history Prof. Abbott Gleason.
Now, Gregorian will turn his attention to addressing critical social issues as president of the Carnegie Corporation.
Gregorian had worked in New York City before as president of public libraries.
"It's almost like a homecoming," Nickel said. "The opportunity is a splendid one."
When Gregorian was sworn in at Brown, he said he would stay no longer than 10 years, so colleagues said they expected the end of his tenure - but nevertheless, it was hard to take.
"It's always a bit of a surprise," said Blumstein, but she also understood. "He's tired."
Gregorian's letter underscored the strain of his position. "The toll, both personal and professional, that is paid by presidents of our universities is enormous."
Way said in a statement about Gregorian's departure, "We have had a presidential leader that has surpassed our highest expectations and has made Brown better and stronger."
Brown is scheduled to announce the names of its presidential search committee Jan. 17.