Tom Kotulak, IU Southeast political science professor, passes away

12th June 2013

NEW ALBANY, IN, (June 12, 2013) – Indiana University Southeast regrets to announce that Thomas Kotulak, associate professor of political science, passed away Tuesday, June 11, 2013 after suffering a heart attack. He is survived by a sister and a brother.  

Kotulak was a member of the political science faculty at IU Southeast since 1995. He taught courses including Introduction to American Politics, Constitutional Law, Constitutional Rights and Liberties, American Political Ideas, Problems in Contemporary Political Philosophy, Environmental Law and Policy, and the Senior Seminar.

He received his Ph.D. in Public Policy Analysis from the University of Illinois at Chicago in 1994 and quickly established himself as an excellent teacher. He was a past winner of the Distinguished Teaching Award in 2002, the Teaching Excellence Recognition Award in 2000, and the Metroversity Outstanding Faculty of Adult Learners Award in 2006.

Kotulak also was very active in civil liberties issues. He served as the long-term faculty advisor for the IU Southeast Civil Liberties Union and was a member of the Board of Directors for the Indiana Civil Liberties Union since 2001.

Former students and colleagues have remembered Kotulak fondly, calling him “a gold star professor,” “unique and captivating,” and “my favorite professor ever.”

The University’s deepest sympathy goes to his family, friends, and students. The family is hosting a private memorial service, however, an informal public memorial service will be held from 10 a.m. to noon, Saturday, June 15, in University Center Room 127 on campus. Current and former students, as well as faculty and staff, are invited to attend.

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