Photo by: Paul Martens
Evangelos Coufoudakis
Dean, School of Arts and Sciences; Professor of
Political Science, School of Arts and Sciences, University Graduate
School, Indiana University–Purdue University Fort Wayne
| "Dean Coufoudakis manages to do
an excellent job as dean of the campus' largest and most
diverse school while being continually in demand all over America
and abroad as a consultant, lecturer and author." |
| —Audrey Ushenko,
associate professor of fine arts, IPFW |
|
The Cyprus problem: how to calm the struggle between that island
republic's Greek and Turkish populations and ensure a peaceful
and just future for the country. This dilemma has troubled politicians
and diplomats for centuries, most urgently since 1974, when the
elected president was deposed in a Greek-sponsored coup and the
Turkish military invaded. Often, in their effort to bring about
permanent peace, heads of state have turned to Evangelos Coufoudakis.
According to one colleague, he is without question the most respected
American specialist on the Cyprus problem and on American policy
toward Greece, Turkey and Cyprus.
When not counseling world leaders on some of today's thorniest
political situations, Coufoudakis has been busily building international
programs and links for IU, both at Fort Wayne and throughout the
state. In 1981, he was appointed director of the Indiana University
Center for Global Studies, a position that he held until 1987, organizing
conferences and administering grants for all IU campuses. From 1991
to 1995, Coufoudakis served on the executive committee of the West
European Center.
Coufoudakis became dean of the IPFW School of Arts and Sciences
in 1996, but this major administrative responsibility has not slowed
his efforts on behalf of international cognizance. In just the past
year, Coufoudakis has mentored graduate students in the IU Bloomington
West European Studies Program, raised funds for teaching modern
Greek on the Bloomington campus, supported public discussion of
international issues through the Fort Wayne International Forum
and worked at the national level to make connections between academic
knowledge and the political arena.
For example, to promote greater study of Greece and Cyprus in the
United States, Coufoudakis founded, in 1995, the Foundation for
Hellenic Studies. He has also served in many capacities in the Modern
Greek Studies Association, including two terms as its president.
He has received the "Commander of the Order of Phoenix"
award, the highest civilian medal given by the Greek government
to non-citizens, and he has been named an honorary consul of the
Republic of Cyprus.
"He represents," said Theodore Couloumbis, professor of
international relations at the University of Athens, "the finest
synthesis of cultures and traditions that have made America such
a great country."
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