Fresno State’s ‘Man of everything’ Alex Vavoulis passes at the age of 95

Alexander “Alex” Vavoulis spent his 52 years in Fresno advocating for First Amendment rights and progressive viewpoints as a man who was vehemently opposed to limitations on freedom of speech and academic freedom.

A professor of chemistry at Fresno State for 31 years, Vavoulis is remembered for his teaching prowess, but also for his advocacy for student and faculty rights. His passion for free speech and expression was furthered through his co-founding and leading of the Fresno Free College Foundation.

Friend and former colleague Paul Bush, economic professor emeritus at Fresno State, remembers Vavoulis: “He was known on the campus as a champion of students and faculty who spoke truth to power. He was absolutely unique in his ability to sense the needs of others and to act on those needs.”

After half a century of community engagement and 95 years of life, Vavoulis died June 2 in Fresno.

“He was a man of everything; his mind was always active,” said Vasiliky Vavoulis, his wife of 29 years. “When he slept he looked like a Greek philosophical thinker: with his hand on his cheek.”

Vavoulis was born in Pittsburgh but grew up in Brooklyn with his parents and three siblings in a close-knit family. His parents, Greek immigrants who met when they came to America, were devoted to their heritage and culture, a devotion Vavoulis carried until his passing.

When he graduated high school in 1943, Vavoulis joined the Navy and served in World War II. Once he finished his service, through the aid of the GI Bill, Vavoulis was able to attend Brooklyn College where he received a bachelor’s and master’s degree in chemistry. He went on to pursue a doctorate in chemistry from University of the Pacific.

“He was more than a chemistry professor,” said Vavoulis. “He loved Greek music and Greek culture. He was a man of literature and poetry. He had a passion for everything.”

Spurred to action by the firing of his fellow Fresno State coworker, poet Robert Mezey who had spoken in support of the legalization and recreational use of marijuana, Vavoulis co-founded the Fresno Free College Foundation in 1968. Initially created to support Mezey and freedom of speech, the foundation expanded to embrace educational and cultural growth with the hopes of spreading free thinking ideals throughout the Central Valley.

Rychard Withers, executive director of Fresno Free College Foundation and KFCF-FM, said, “Without Alex leading things, a lot of the organizations that came out of Fresno Free College Foundation would never have happened. Organizations like the Fresno Folklore Society, Fresno Poet’s Association, Keyboard Concerts and Orpheus Concerts.”

Vavoulis also helped found the radio station KFCF in 1975, which was the first listener-sponsored radio station in the Central Valley, according to Withers. The station brought in programming from Pacifica Radio, rebroadcasting shows from KPFA out of Berkeley.

“I think KFCF being on the air and all the projects Alex worked on contribute a lot to the culture of the Valley,” said Withers. “He contributed a lot to our community and he will be missed.”

The Vavoulis family held a small service June 3 at St. George Greek Orthodox church. Vavoulis wished to be cremated and have his ashes spread on the beach outside his home in the port town of Samos in the Greek islands.

Alexander ‘Alex’ Vavoulis

Born: Dec. 28, 1924 in Pittsburgh

Died: June 2, 2020 in Fresno

Occupation: General organic chemistry professor at Fresno State

Survivors: wife, Vasiliky Vavoulis; sons, Theodore and David Vavoulis