Tom Mulinazzi

Emeritus Professor of Civil, Environmental and Architectural Engineering, University of Kansas School of Engineering

Through innumerable professional and service activities, Tom Mulinazzi has earned a reputation as the KU School of Engineering’s unofficial goodwill ambassador.

Since arriving at KU in 1979 as a professor in the Department of Civil, Environmental and Architectural Engineering, Mulinazzi has a track record of unbroken service to the department, the School of Engineering, the University and the state of Kansas. And that service continues to this day.

One of his most prominent roles within the School of Engineering was Associate Dean of Engineering — a title he held on a part-time basis from 1987-1990, and then full-time from 1992-2001. Mulinazzi excelled in this critical and challenging role.

As associate dean, he worked on the admission and dismissal of undergraduate students. He was always sympathetic, helpful and fair to students experiencing academic and personal issues. He spent extensive time and effort to help struggling engineering students successfully complete their degrees. He also took a serious and steadfast approach to certify each student’s graduation status. These are not always easy or pleasant tasks, but he served admirably in this role.

Even several years after his retirement, he continued to volunteer his time and expertise to advise students in the Department of Civil, Environmental and Architectural Engineering.

Among KU Engineering faculty, Mulinazzi has a decades-long track record as one of the School of Engineering’s greatest recruiters. He was always happy to meet with prospective students, often accompanied by their parents. During those visits, he would get acquainted with the student and provide guidance well-suited to their talents and interests. His willingness to invest tremendous time and effort engaging, one-on-one, with KU students, prospective students and their families is unparalleled.

Mulinazzi also took an active role in student engagement and enrichment. For years, he organized the Engineering Olympics, an annual event featuring feats of strength — both mental and physical. In 1997, he began a student group of Toastmasters to help students improve their presentation skills. He has continued this effort today, years after he retiring in 2014.

He promoted professionalism among students by forming a KU chapter of the Order of the Engineer — Link #131. For 28 years, he personally organized induction ceremonies and helped initiate students. He always told students the ring on his left demonstrated his commitment to his wife and the ring on the little finger of this right hand (his working hand, as he put it) demonstrated his commitment to the engineering profession.

Mulinazzi relished opportunities to interact with Kansans. It is said he might be known by more people across Kansas — especially by his fellow engineers — than any other faculty member from KU.  He travelled across Kansas to make presentations to local residents in 68 counties and over 85 municipalities. He frequently discussed the importance of appropriate, clear and easily understood traffic signage, which is critical for highway safety. His dedication insured signage met legal standards and helped the public travel safely.

For several years, he volunteered at the KU booth at the Kansas State Fair in Hutchinson, where he enjoyed visiting with patrons and promoting the university. These are just a few of the many avenues through which he built goodwill for KU and the School of Engineering.

He interacted with the KU Athletics department in many ways. He mentored many student athletes and helped recruit those interested in engineering. He chaired the KU Athletics Board three different times and was on the search committee that selected head football coach Glen Mason in 1988. He also served 28 years at scorer’s table for the KU Men’s Basketball team.

His career is decorated with a lengthy list of KU and state-wide awards and technical society memberships. He is a Fellow in the American Society of Civil Engineers, the Institute of Transportation Engineers, the National Society of Professional Engineers and was a member of the Kansas State Board of Technical Professionals for 12 years.

A small sampling of career awards includes: the Patrick McCoy Education Professional of the Year for the Missouri Valley District of the Institute of Transportation Engineers; the Kansas Society of Professional Engineers Certificate of Special Recognition in 2002 and its Engineer of the Year in 2000; the Kansas Engineering Society Special Recognition Award; the Steeples Service to Kansas Award; the Provost’s Faculty International Leadership Award; and the School of Engineering Miller Award for Professional Service.

Tom and his wife Kathy live in Lawrence. They have three children, Teresa, Christi and Matt and 11 grandchildren, three of which will be KU students in fall 2023.