Retired Neag School of Education professor Agisilaos John Pappanikou died Nov. 6 at the age of 79.
“Pappy,” as he was called by those who knew him, fought for the needs of people with developmental disabilities and their families.
A professor of special education at UConn from 1965 to 1989, including 19 years as chair of the Special Education Unit, he served as advisor to 51 Ph.D. students and many master’s and sixth-year students. His publications include the book, Mainstreaming Emotionally Disturbed Children.
He also was a member of the University Senate for 20 years.
Pappanikou was a founder of the Council for Children with Behavioral Disorders, a division of the Council for Exceptional Children, and helped establish the first International Medical Conference on Mental Retardation. After retiring, he continued to work with parents and school systems to develop programs for children with special needs.
In 1985, he gave his name and financial support to a University center committed to improving the lives of individuals with disabilities and their families, the A.J. Pappanikou Center for Developmental Disabilities.
An avid sports fan, Pappanikou was the University’s NCAA faculty representative for more than 15 years. He and his wife established two scholarships for student-athletes. They also created a third scholarship to support special education majors, in memory of their daughter Lisa, who died in 1999.
His generous financial support earned him a place in the UConn Founders Society Constitution Circle and on the board of the UConn Club, part of the Division of Athletics.
Pappanikou received the first Distinguished Public Service Award from the UConn Alumni Association in 1970; was named an Honorary Life Alumnus by the Alumni Association in 2001; and received the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Neag School Alumni Society in 2004.
Donations in his memory may be made to either the Lisa Pappanikou Glidden Scholarship or the Pappanikou Family Scholarship supporting student-athletes, and sent to: The UConn Foundation Inc., 2390 Alumni Drive, Storrs, CT 06269-3206.
