George Stephanopolous '82C

George Stephanopoulos - Ex-CU Matman:
From Morningside Heights to the White House.

"As a Columbia graduate, you will belong to a large and successful alumni group. Many doors will open to you because you will have earned an Ivy League education from one of the finest institutions of higher education in the world. You will probably find a Columbia friend in any part of the world and in whatever field you choose." - Head Coach Lou Montano.

There must have been a time (probably several times) when George Stephanopolous, President Clinton's previous Senior Policy Advisor, wished he could put on a singlet again and take some of the President's critics out on the mat!

Stephanopolous, one of the key figures in both of Clinton's campaigns, was a varsity wrestler at Columbia. Originally from Chagrin Falls, Ohio, he wrestled at 126 and 134 for the Lions from 1978 through 1981, but missed the 1981-82 season, his senior year, with an injury.

He also found time to broadcast Columbia soccer on WKCR, the Columbia student station. Stephonopolous was graduated from Columbia with honors- he was salutatorian of the Class of 1982-and then studied at Oxford University in England on a prestigious Rhodes Scholarship. He is the only Columbia wrestler ever to receive a Rhodes Scholarship.

After many years of government service, he returned to Columbia last winter to become a Professor of Political Science.