Director of Student Activities Constantine Alexakos to deliver Rowan’s ‘Last Lecture’

Constantine Alexakos will deliver Rowan University’s hypothetical “Last Lecture” on Tuesday, Dec. 1. It also will be his first lecture.

That’s because Alexakos, director of the Office of Student Activities at Rowan, is the first non-professor voted by Rowan students to deliver the “Last Lecture” at 7 p.m. in the Eynon Ballroom of the Chamberlain Student Center.

A tradition at many universities, the “Last Lecture” is the lecture a member of the University community would give as if it was his/her final opportunity to speak to the University community. Traditionally, the “Last Lecture” provides life lessons not typically taught in the classroom.

The “Last Lecture” was made famous by Randy Pausch, the late Carnegie Mellon University professor who actually delivered his last lecture  in 2007 while he was dying of pancreatic cancer. The lecture became an internet sensation and led to a best-selling book.

Known University-wide as Cos, Alexakos joined Rowan in as assistant director of student activities in 2004. Known for his team building, collaboration, and mentorship of students, he founded the wildly successful Rowan After Hours program, which provides thrice weekly late night programming for students.  

Co-chair of Rowan’s Homecoming for the past eight years, Alexakos counts among his mentees Rowan alumni who have gone on to successful careers in higher education and mass media, among other fields.

But his circuitous path to higher education success also includes stints as an apprentice for a master chef in Alabama and as a restaurant manager. A Glassboro resident, Alexakos holds a bachelor’s degree in sports and recreation management from the University of West Florida and a master’s degree in student personnel services from Rowan.

“Cos is absolutely a campus leader and a mentor. He’s very well known,” says junior communication studies major Vinny Colantuoni, director of special events for Rowan’s Office of Student Activities. “He’s influenced so many people across the University.”

Altogether, 27 Rowan professors and professional staff members were nominated by students to deliver the “Last Lecture,” according to Colantuoni.  Alexakos, who had been nominated in past years, was the clear winner this year, Colantuoni says.

Last year,  Human Resource Management Professor Camron Casper delivered the “Last Lecture.”

Admission to the “Last Lecture” is free and open to the University community and the general public.