MUNCIE, Ind. – John Koumoulides, department of history professor, recently received the Ellis Island Medal of Honor that recognizes individuals for exceptional humanitarian efforts and outstanding professional and patriotic contributions to the United States.

The award is given by the National Ethnic Coalition of Organizations, the largest organization of its kind in the United States. It serves as an umbrella group for 275 organizations that span a spectrum of ethnic heritages, cultures and religions. NECO created the Ellis Island award in 1986 to pay tribute to the ancestry groups comprising America's diverse culture.

Recipients are selected each year through a national nomination process.

Koumoulides was chosen this year as one of 150 medal recipients from more than 40,000 nominees.

"This is an honor because it is awarded on merit and contributions, not who you know," said Koumoulides.

Koumoulides was educated at Montclair State University and the University of Maryland in the United States and at Fitzwilliam College, University of Cambridge in England. He is an honorary fellow of Harris Manchester College, Oxford University.

This summer he will be a public policy scholar at Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars, Washington, D.C.

He became a Ball State faculty member in 1968.

In 1969 he began the Greek Studies Lecture series that emphasizes all parts of the world including Greek history and international affairs.

Later he established the Town and Gown Conversations, which encourages activities and cooperation between the city of Muncie and the Ball State community.

He was instrumental in establishing Ball State’s connection with Oxford University.

The Ellis Island Medal of Honor has been awarded to many individuals to celebrate the richness and diversity of American life.

Past recipients include U.S. presidents, congressmen and several Nobel prize winners.

Other 2001 recipients from Indiana were Rev. Theodore M. Hesburgh, retired president of the University of Notre Dame, and John Brademas of South Bend, a former U.S. Representative from Indiana and retired president of New York University.

By Jennifer Seal, Graduate Assistant

(NOTE TO EDITORS: For more information, contact John Koumoulides at jkoumoulides@bsu.edu or by phone at (765) 285-8711. )