Exciting announcements for 2022
CHICAGO—The PanHellenic Scholarship Foundation will return to a live gala to celebrate this year’s scholarship winners. The gala will take place on June 18 at Hilton Chicago.
Remaining true to its mission, during the pandemic the PanHellenic hosted virtual galas in 2020 and 2020. “These virtual events were very successful, but we’re especially excited to go live again. It’s time for the kids to come and see each other, meet, and bond,” said PanHellenic Chairman Robert Buhler.
The gala will include the presentation of scholarships, Renaissance Fellowships, the Paradigm Award, and more. With Greek music and dancing by Mylos from New York, the celebration also honors our Hellenic heritage and spirit.
Celebrating scholastic achievement
Through its signature scholarship program, the PanHellenic celebrates scholastic achievement with an annual award of $250,000 in scholarships. Each year, they grant twenty awards of $10,000 each based on academic merit and financial need, and twenty awards of $2,500 each based solely on academic achievement to undergraduate students of Hellenic descent that demonstrate and promote their Hellenic values in all they do and are enrolled in an accredited university in any of the 50 United States. To date, the PanHellenic has awarded more than $3,750,000 in scholarships to more than 640 Greek American students.
Renaissance Fellowship goes a step further
Last year, the PanHellenic partnered with The Renaissance Fund, a private, Chicago-based non-profit, to cultivate tomorrow’s leaders via a three-year fellowship, including an unprecedented $30,000 in scholarship funds, a mentor, and ongoing support to realize their leadership potential. College sophomore finalists are automatically eligible for the program. Each year, they’ll select two fellows to receive a renewable $10,000 award per year, part of $30,000 total. Additionally, Fellows are assigned an appropriate mentor for their field of study. Mentors will assist Fellows to make and assess goals, select courses, identify scholarships, and foster their leadership capabilities. The Fellows report their progress to the board on a quarterly basis, paving their way to receive their next $10,000 for the following year. Two new fellows for the next class will be announced at this year’s gala.
Due to an additional donation, the inaugural class of Renaissance Fellows included three outstanding scholars: Chiara Munzi, a junior at Washington University in St. Louis, majoring in Philosophy-Neuroscience-Psychology and minoring in Business of Entertainment and Marketing. Mina Baniewicz, a junior at Saint Xavier University in Chicago, majoring in English Rhetoric and Writing, minoring in Communications, and is a part of the university’s pre-law program; and Yanni Patitsas, a junior at The Ohio State University, majoring in Modern Greek.
Paradigm Award
Each year, the PanHellenic honors a distinguished Greek American, who has not only risen to the top of their field but can also serve as a positive example for Greek American youth. This year’s Paradigm Award honoree is Regeneron President and Chief Scientist George D. Yancopoulos, MD, PhD. Along with key members of his team, Dr. Yancopoulos is the principal inventor of Regeneron’s eight FDA-approved drugs and foundational technologies, including the TRAP technology, VelociGene® and VelocImmune®.
Beyond a scholarship
Since 2017, the PanHellenic has committed to going “Beyond the Scholarship”, by hosting Alumni Weekend, centered around the annual gala. The weekend is organized by the Alumni Board, for scholars and alumni to meet and network, and to connect with mentors. This year, the weekend kicks off with the Scholars Reception, hosted by PanHellenic’s Senior Counsel Elias Matsakis, a partner at Holland & Knight. On Saturday, The Hellenic Initiative (THI) hosts the Mentorship Luncheon, sponsored by THI Board Member Nicholas W. Alexos, Executive Vice President/Chief Financial Officer of Univar Solutions, Inc. Here, a mentor is assigned to each attendee table. Mentors are nationally-known experts in their fields. They’ll discuss various topics and help to guide attendees.
New staff
The PanHellenic is pleased to welcome new staff members, including Director of Administration, Vasiliki Panos and Director of Scholarships Georgia Arvanitis. Both are dedicated to the advancement of the foundation and its scholars.
Gala 2022
The PanHellenic Scholarship Gala will take place on June 18, 2022 at Hilton Chicago. For tickets and information on Alumni Weekend, visit www.panhellenicsf.org. Sponsorship opportunities are available.
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The PanHellenic Scholarship Foundation is deeply committed to their scholars and alumni, and to nurturing future leaders to advance society through Hellenism and Education.
For media inquiries; complete bios of Paradigm Award honoree, Fellows, and staff; and more information, please contact [email protected]
