Honor Court chancellor sets high bar for self, UF

April 24, 2007

Leadership just comes naturally to University of Florida Honor Court Chancellor Alex Hadjilogiou.

As an undergraduate student in public relations, Hadjilogiou maintained a 4.0 GPA while staying active in the Florida Cicerones, President’s Personal Hosts and the Golden Key Honor Society. After graduating from UF, he joined the U.S. Army and was commissioned as a military intelligence officer.

“I thought it would be a great way to serve my country,” Hadjilogiou said. “Both my parents are immigrants and I wanted to give back.”

His four-year tour of duty included multiple overseas deployments in counterterrorism operations. At 23, Hadjilogiou was the youngest military intelligence officer in his unit’s history to become operational manager, supervising more than 50 soldiers and controlling equipment worth millions of dollars. He went on to receive the National Defense Service Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal and the Army Commendation Medal.

The third-year law student, now 30, also has served as a representative for the John Marshall Bar Association, and during his term as president of the Military Law Students Association, the Law College Council named the association the Most Improved Organization of the Year.

So when Hadjilogiou has to make a decision, he doesn’t have a problem.

“When you’re in the Army, they engrain it into you: when you are a leader, you are accountable for everything you do in your life,” he said. “With any leadership position, you have to hold yourself to a higher standard. It’s very natural for me to be that way.”

That type of training helped Hadjilogiou in March 2006 when he was elected chancellor of the honor court with more than 7,000 votes.

As chancellor, Hadjilogiou presides over cases of students defending themselves against accusations of honor code violations.

During the proceedings, law students serve as counsel for both the accused student and the accuser. At the end, a jury of students renders a verdict, and that verdict serves as a recommendation to the Dean of Students Office.

Outside the courtroom, Hadjilogiou manages the honor court staff, which consists of more than 50 law students and undergraduates.

“These are real life issues,” he said. “If the honor code is not being followed, the University of Florida degree has no value. We’re essentially protecting the University of Florida’s reputation.”

Hadjilogiou said he is more than happy to have a second chance to serve the university.

After graduation from law school, he hopes to pursue a career in criminal law and become a prosecutor.

“When I came back to UF, I felt like I had a lot to give,” he said. “I had never been anything but a student. I just appreciate it now more than ever.”