The
Foundation for Modern Greek Studies launches campaign to endow a second
Modern Greek Chair at the University of Michigan
Northville
Twp., MI - The Foundation for Modern Greek Studies (FMGS), in celebration
of its 10-year anniversary, officially kicked off its campaign to endow in
perpetuity a new Chair in Modern Greek History and Culture at the
University of Michigan to complement the existing also endowed C.P. Cavafy
Chair in Modern Greek Language and Literature. FMGS enthusiastically
presented its case to hundreds of its members and supporters from all over
the world at a major event that took place on Saturday, April 1, 2006 in
Dearborn, Michigan.
Distinguished
guests at the celebration included His Eminence, Metropolitan Nicholas
(Greek Orthodox Metropolis of Detroit); Mrs. Maria Kollia-Tsaroucha (New
Democracy Deputy of the Greek Parliament, member of the Committee on
Educational Affairs and President of the Committee on Equality and Human
Rights); Professor Traianos Gagos (who spoke on behalf of the Dept. of
Classical Studies, University of Michigan); Mr. Chris Tomaras (World
Council of Hellenes Abroad -- SAE); Ms. Nancy Biska (Hellenic American
National Council); Dr. Kostas Paschalidis (Association for the Study of
Greeks Abroad); Ms. Katerina Thanassoula (Voice of Greece, ERT); Mr.
George Reganis (American Hellenic Congress); Mrs. Joan De Ronne
(Administrator, Assumption Greek Orthodox Church of Detroit); Mr. William
Vlahoulis (UBS Vice President of Investments and Financial Advisor to
AHEPA Educational Foundation and Foundation for Modern Greek Studies); Mr.
and Mrs. John Kaounas (Treasurer, FMGS and Industrialist); Dr. Dimitri and
Mrs. Irmgard Pallas who hosted the event.
In
2000, the University of Michigan received a major gift from FMGS that made
possible the establishment of the endowed C.P. Cavafy Chair. Since the
establishment of the Cavafy Chair, the Modern Greek Program, along with
offering a major and minor in Modern Greek Studies, has grown to integrate
student scholarships, annual lectures, conferences, panels, library and
internet resources, special research projects, study abroad opportunities,
and global collaboration into its offerings (made possible in part by an
additional annual gift agreement of $15,000 from FMGS). This significant
growth, (up to 300 students taking courses per academic year), along with
unyielding student and community interest, is what inspired FMGS to move
forward in raising money to endow a second Chair, this time in Modern
Greek History and Culture. The
funds required for the creation of the second Chair will total over two
million dollars and may be named after a major donor who is willing to
make a significant contribution to leave a permanent legacy for his
family. “We have the right experience and a ten-year record of great
success, so we are very optimistic,” says Dr. Dimitri Pallas, President
of FMGS.
In
addition to full classes and successful cultural events, another source of
inspiration for FMGS is the global reach of the Modern Greek Program.
The University of Michigan Library, together with Google, is in the
process of digitizing Greek books in their entirety and making them
available online for free. Another
example of the Modern Greek Program’s global reach is the Program’s
website (www.lsa.umich.edu/modgreek),
which contains exclusive, never before released academic and cultural
Greek material. “As the
members of the Foundation for Modern Greek Studies move forward in their
campaign, they know that they are supporting a university which shares its
resources with the whole world,” states Prof. Vassilis Lambropoulos, who
holds the C.P. Cavafy Chair.
Michigan
is one of the few universities in the country that cover the entire
spectrum of Hellenism, both chronologically and geographically. From the prehistoric Aegean to classical Athens and from
early Byzantium to 20th-century Alexandria and 21st-century
Greeks in Detroit, the Modern Greek faculty introduces exciting Greek
adventures to thousands of students and members of the community every
year. “Adding a specialist
in contemporary Greek history is the next step in the growth of our
Program,” says Prof. Vassilis Lambropoulos. His distinguished colleagues
at the Program are Professor Artemis Leontis and Lecturer Despina
Margomenou.
It
is FMGS’ vision to enhance the Center for Modern Greek Culture and
Policy at a premier institution such as the University of Michigan with
the addition of a Chair in Modern Greek History and eventually Chairs in
Political Science and Anthropology.
