KU Engineering Alumnus Awarded Medal of Honor From Ellis Island Honors Society
When Gregs Thomopulos came to the University of Kansas from Nigeria in 1962, his biggest worry was not wasting the opportunity.
“Coming from abroad, I was very focused on having gotten to this university. I didn’t want to blow it,” he said.
He easily exceeded that hope. Thomopulos graduated from the School of Engineering with a degree in civil engineering in three years, then went onto a distinguished career that saw him become the CEO and chairman of the Stanley Consultants, a major international engineering, environmental and construction services firm headquartered in Iowa.
For all his accomplishments as an immigrant to the United States, Thomopulos was honored in spring 2022 with the Medal of Honor from the Ellis Island Honors Society. The organization honors the contributions made by immigrants and their descendants throughout American history. This year’s honorees also included former Homeland Security Secretary Jeh Johnson, FEMA administrator Deanne Criswell and numerous others. Previous winners include leaders in politics, business and other fields.