Helping to Change the World: Joseph Kokolakis ’86 Establishes Fund for Climate and Sustainability at SoMAS

Joseph Kokolakis ’86 has always believed in building something that lasts. As a State University of New York at Stony Brook alumnus and president of Kokolakis Contracting, he’s spent his career constructing spaces that serve communities for generations. Now, he and his wife, Anna, are extending that commitment to the environment by creating The Anna and Joseph Kokolakis Endowed Fund for Climate and Sustainability at the School of Marine and Atmospheric Sciences (SoMAS).

The gift, made in honor of His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew, known globally as the “Green Patriarch” for his environmental leadership, reflects Kokolakis’ belief that stewardship of the planet is both a professional responsibility and a moral imperative.

A Builder’s Path Back to Stony Brook

Kokolakis’ connection to Stony Brook dates back to his teenage years on Long Island. “From ninth grade, I knew I was going to Stony Brook,” he said. “They gave me everything I needed: an education and a community of people.”

After earning his economics degree from the College of Arts and Sciences, Kokolakis went on to law school before joining the family’s construction business. He later helped transform the company into a national operation, overseeing projects from Colorado Springs to New Orleans. Many of these projects earned LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certification, underscoring his long‑standing commitment to environmentally responsible construction.

His focus on sustainable building naturally aligned with SoMAS’ mission. For years, his work has centered on designing structures that conserve resources and operate efficiently, priorities that have become increasingly important in the public sector. “Sustainability has shaped our business for years,” Kokolakis said. “Partnering with SoMAS felt like a chance to advance that work even further.”

Inspired by the Green Patriarch

The idea for the endowed fund began taking shape during an event on the Southampton campus sponsored by Kokolakis Contracting. The gathering, Oceans of Hope: The Green Patriarch Recognizes Stony Brook Southampton’s Marine Sciences Mission, brought His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew to Stony Brook, where he received the Stony Brook Council University Medal and joined faculty for a boat tour of the Shinnecock Bay Hope Spot. Led by SoMAS professors Ellen Pikitch and Christopher Gobler, the tour highlighted two decades of restoration work that have transformed the bay’s health and the surrounding community. “Anna and I saw the impact that tour had on our Ecumenical Patriarch, and we were just so impressed with the work they are doing,” said Kokolakis. “Recognizing what was accomplished, you couldn’t help but want to be part of it.”

His All‑Holiness’ visit to Stony Brook Southampton was part of a historic moment for the Ecumenical Patriarch. Recognized globally for his environmental leadership, he had recently been awarded the $1 million Templeton Prize for his work at the intersection of faith, science and environmental stewardship. The visit was timed with the Orthodox Church’s Day of the Environment on September 1, and the Order of Saint Andrew (the Archons) played an instrumental role in facilitating both his trip to New York City and his time at Stony Brook Southampton.

The presence of His All-Holiness underscored the alignment between his advocacy and Stony Brook’s leadership in marine conservation. For Kokolakis, a member of the Archons who had met the Green Patriarch before, the visit reaffirmed just how significant SoMAS’ work is and how vital the university’s role has become in advancing it. “We saw how much he loved being there,” he said. “For him, it was probably the best part of the trip.”

Turning Inspiration Into Impact

The fund will support solutions‑driven research, innovative education and the integration of ethics and sustainability in marine and atmospheric sciences. Dedicated in honor of His All‑Holiness, it reflects both his environmental vision and the values that guide the Kokolakis family. “For Anna and me, we saw it as a way to support the campus, support Stony Brook and also recognize the impact His All‑Holiness has had on the world,” Kokolakis said. “That’s why we dedicated it in his honor.”

School of Marine and Atmospheric Sciences Dean Paul Shepson emphasized the significance of the gift. “This fund will empower our faculty and students to pursue bold, solutions‑driven research at a time when the world urgently needs it,” he said. “It strengthens our ability to educate the next generation of environmental leaders and to advance science that truly makes a difference.”

For Kokolakis, the gift is rooted not in legacy but in responsibility. “It’s humbling to even think about it,” he said. “You don’t want to get caught up in the legacy aspect. For us, it’s about supporting causes that may actually change the world.”

For a builder who has spent his life creating spaces that endure, the foundational support provided by this new fund — rooted in faith, science and service — may be his most meaningful contribution yet.

Funding for The Anna and Joseph Kokolakis Endowed Fund for Climate and Sustainability at the School of Marine and Atmospheric Sciences (SoMAS) is amplified by both the New York State Endowment Match Program and the Simons Infinity Investment Match Challenge, which will triple the impact this endowment gift will have on Stony Brook. For more information, visit stonybrook.edu/endowments. If you have interest in or questions about endowments or the match opportunities, contact Scott Barrett, interim vice president for Advancement, at (631) 632-9128 or scott.barrett@stonybrook.edu.