More than three decades of teaching language and Greek culture will be rewarded tomorrow, when Charles Sturt University academic associate Dr George Kanarakis is awarded an Honorary Doctorate of Letters during Friday morning's graduation ceremony.

A long-serving lecturer in linguistics, history and media at CSU, author and commentator Dr Kanarakis will be recognised for his contribution to literature, the University and Australians of Greek descent.

Dr Kanarakis began his association with CSU in 1976, when he joined Mitchell College of Advanced Education as it was then known, as a lecturer in linguistics, English language, Greek history, Greek and Roman literature, Multicultural Media and Multicultural literature.

A passion for all things Greek led Dr Kanarakis to years of research into Greek language, literature and culture particularly in Australia. The product of this work is several books on language and Greek writers, including his most recently released work, In the Wake of Odysseus: Portraits of Greek Settlers in Australia, which tells the story of the contributions made by a variety of Greek settlers over the past 100 or so years.

Many of his books on language and literature are used as teaching texts in Australian universities.

Considered a highly regarded commentator on literature and multicultural issues in academic and media circles, Dr Kanarakis has delivered presentations at conferences across Australia and overseas throughout his career.