John was born in Bridgeport, CT in 1930 to Greek immigrants, William and Rose Vlandis. Putting a value on higher education, John received his under-graduated Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Connecticut. Following his graduation, John went on to serve as First Lieutenant in the U.S. Army as a Training Office for new recruits, and later as an Instructor in a Non-commissioned Officers Academy. Subsequently he was transferred to Germany to serve as a Rifle Platoon Leader, and later as Executive Officer of the Regional Leadership School.
Following his military service, John went on to complete his M.A. at the University of Iowa. Before completing his Ph.D., also at the University of Iowa, John married his beautiful wife of 61 years, Katherine “Tula” Vlandis (nee Cheston). They raised two daughters in Storrs, CT.
After a stint as an instructor at Temple University in Philadelphia teaching Public Speaking, coaching the debate team, and serving as a dorm Head Resident, John went on to be a tenured Assistant Professor of Communication Sciences at UConn. John was promoted to Director of Admissions and Orientation Services at the institution, where he served for 24 years. Completely immersed in the college admissions field, John held numerous offices in professional organizations, both at the state, regional and national levels. He attained national recognition while serving as President of the National Association of College Admissions Counselors. John is also published, with papers and research in both communications and admissions. John was awarded Emeritus status by the Board of Trustees of the University of CT.
Heavily invested in his Greek heritage, John immersed himself in serving his church. He served as President of the Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church in Norwich, CT, and Chairman of the Connecticut Council of Greek Orthodox Churches. His beautiful tenor voice could be heard blending with the choirs at his Norwich church, St. George Greek Orthodox Cathedral in Hartford, CT, and the Holy Mother of God Greek Orthodox Church in Tallahassee, FL…where he also served on the Parish Council. One of his greatest efforts was to advance the Hellenic Studies program at UConn, which included course development celebrating modern Greek culture and literature, as well as building a Hellenic Complex including a chapel, study center and amphitheater. As a result of his efforts, John was proclaimed an honorary citizen of Greece. He was further recognized for his support of the church and was presented with the Outstanding Hellene Award for Education, the AHEPA Academy of Achievement Award for Education, and Archangel Michael Honors Medal.
With boundless energy, John also engaged in extra-curricular activities, often in leadership roles. By example, he served as President of the Men’s Faculty Club and the Faculty Alumni Center at UConn. In service to the schools his daughters attended, he was President of the Annie E. Vinton Parent-Teacher Assoc. and Co-President of Edwin O. Smith High School Parents Association, both in Mansfield, CT. He served three 2-year terms as a Faculty Advisor to the UConn Student Union Board of Governors, and two years in a row he was appointed by Governor John Dempsey to serve as State Chairman for United Nations Day in CT.
John also served as Vice President at Martel and Associates, a high impact communications consulting firm. He served as a Communications consultant for management and labor groups, as well as an Educational consultant for colleges and universities. He was a panelist on a syndicated educational radio show and even co-hosted an educational television program. John chaired fund-raisers for the Girls Scouts of America and the American Red Cross. And in his backyard, he loved to tend his sizeable vegetable garden.
In retirement, John didn’t slow down. With his wife, they moved from Connecticut to Tallahassee, FL, enjoying family and friends, and traveling extensively. When not visiting faraway places like Alaska, Egypt, Tahiti, Greece and all over Europe, John volunteered with AARP as Florida’s Chief Trainer for their 55 Alive Driving program. He was also a Volunteer Arbiter for the Better Business Bureau. And for those lucky enough to hear him play, John was an accomplished violist.
John was the cherished father of Rosanne Leake (St. Louis, MO) and Eleni King (Shell Point, FL), and loving Pappou to Harrison, Colbi, Hunter, Starr, Morgan and Keegan.
In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to the Hellenic Society Paideia (www.paideiausa.org) or to the Alzheimer’s Association (www.alz.org).
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