The PanHellenic Scholarship Foundation Hosts an Exceptional Alumni Weekend, Truly Going Beyond a Scholarship
Annual Scholarship Awards Gala and Mentorship Events
Took Place from June 14 – June 16
CHICAGO, IL, June 18, 2019 – The PanHellenic Scholarship Foundation (PHSF) celebrated its annual Alumni Weekend from June 14 – June 16, 2019, awarding 40 exceptional students over $250,000 in scholarships, hosting a mentorship luncheon and announcing a new internship initiative, which will enable the PHSF to continue their mission of going beyond a scholarship.
This year’s Alumni Weekend began with a Welcome Reception Friday evening with Corporate Sponsors, Holland & Knight and College Year in Athens. Additionally, on Saturday, The Hellenic Initiative sponsored the third Mentorship Luncheon where recipients had the exclusive opportunity to gain career insight from fourteen exceptional mentors.
The weekend culminated with the Annual Scholarship Awards & Gala, where in front of approximately 600 attendees, 40 of the best and brightest students from across the U.S. received their scholarships.
“Our 2019 award recipients are a group of extraordinary scholars who are flourishing academically, and we are excited to provide continual support through our mentorship program and internship initiative,” said PHSF Chairman of the Board of Directors, Robert A. Buhler. “The PanHellenic Scholarship Foundation has the incredible opportunity to make a historic impact in the lives of these recipients. Congratulations to all the scholars!”
- Demetra Alikakos: Music Performance-Bassoon and Actuarial Sciences, DePaul University
- Fotini Anastopoulos: Psychology, Harvard University
- Eugenia Angelopoulos: Biomedical Engineering, Boston University
- Alexander Belchou: Physics, State University of New York at Geneseo
- Athena Chapekis: Sociology, Miami University
- Evangelia Eracleous: Communication Sciences and Disorders, and Psychology, Queens College, City University of New York
- Stella Erickson: Biomedical Engineering, Purdue University
- George Evangeloulis: Broadcast and Digital Journalism, University of Southern California
- Mary Kathryn Fellios: Art History, Columbia University
- Natalie Ganios: Biomedical Sciences, University of Akron
- Jordan George: Political Theory and Constitutional Democracy, and Economics, Michigan State University
- Andrew Gonedes: Neuroscience, Nova Southeastern University
- Erini Kamarinos: Public Health, Regis College
- Napoleon Kanaris: Religious Studies, Hellenic College
- Constantina Karalis: Classics, University of California Santa Barbara
- Kaitlin Kaye: International Studies, World Politics, The Ohio State University
- Elisabeth Kotsalidis: Classical Civilization and Ancient Greek and Latin, Boston University
- Andreas Kotsifas: Accounting, DePaul University
- Panayioti J. Logothetis: Mathematical Finance and Information Technology Management, Seton Hall University
- Christina Macris: Intercultural Studies, Cedarville University
- Daphne Martin: Classics, History of Art, Yale University
- Argyro Miliou: Marketing, University of Texas at Austin
- John Malcolm “Mack” Nash, Robotics and Controls (Systems) Engineering, United States Navel Academy
- Alexandra Niforos: English, University of Michigan
- Julianne Papadopoulos: Music in the Liberal Arts and Psychology, Elon University
- Elaina Patitsas: Civil Engineering, University of Akron
- Dimitri Petrakis: Mechanical Engineering, Pennsylvania State University
- Anastasios Roumeliotis: Biomedical Engineering, Northwestern University
- Christina Sellountos: Fine Arts – Animation, Carnegie Mellon University
- Helen Tasho: Molecular and Cellular Neuroscience, Loyola University Chicago
- Nicholas Tomaras: Biology, Loyola University Chicago
- Elena Triantafyllopoulos: Biology and Psychology, University of Central Florida
- Panayiotis Vandris: Biology (Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Track) and Comparative Literature, Stanford University
- Eleftheria Varkados: Studio Art, Juniata College
- Andreas Vassilakos: Information Technology and Management, Illinois Institute of Technology
- Alexander Velis: Accountancy and Operations Management, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
- Maria Vonortas: Finance, The Ohio State University
- Evangelos Zarkadas: History and Political Science, University of Maine at Presque Isle
- Sophia Zervas: Piano Performance and Voice Performance, University of Colorado at Boulder
- Michael Ziamandanis: Psychology, University of Albany
At the event, Buhler also announced several extraordinary transformations that will position the PHSF for continued growth.
- New Beyond a Scholarship Internship Initiative: The PHSF is now working with 15 inaugural companies to provide scholars and alumni with internships. Buhler noted that they hope to have an expanded offering next spring with numerous companies from across the nation.
- Going National: This year’s scholars came from all parts the country, and a growing number increasingly come from outside the Midwest. Furthermore, many Advisory Board and Board members also hail from outside Illinois, demonstrating how the PHSF is expanding its national profile.
- Building a Sustainable Donor Base: The inaugural Scholarship Society 50 and 100 donor program expanded from 19 donors in the first year to 24 donors this year. This now includes the new “200” level, where donors who have fulfilled their “100” commitment will generously continue to provide a $10,000 Scholarship to 10 more exceptional scholars.
“We believe that by securing good internships for our scholars, it will greatly help them land their first job,” said Buhler. “By connecting our recipients and alumni with mentors and an internship start to their professional careers, we are truly going beyond a scholarship. We would like to thank our inaugural corporate leaders interested in helping the PanHellenic with internships.”
At the Gala, the PHSF also honored the success and accomplishments of its 2019 Paradigm Award Honoree, Matina Kolokotronis. Kolokotronis serves as Chief Operating Officer of the Sacramento Kings. Bringing decades of experience in sports and government law, community affairs and contract negotiations, Kolokotronis’ leadership has been integral to the development of the award-winning Golden 1 Center. The Paradigm Award is given annually to a distinguished Greek American whose career and accomplishments are a testimony to the Foundation’s mission and who the scholars can strive to emulate.
“Ms. Kolokotronis possesses all of the attributes of a Paradigm,” said Trustee and Board Member, Tom Sotos. “Her impressive career, dedication to her community and respect for her Hellenic roots will certainly inspire our recipients to also become trailblazers and the next generation of leaders in America.”
Dedicated to promoting education and leadership, the PanHellenic Scholarship Foundation recognizes and honors exceptional undergraduate students of Hellenic descent, supporting their efforts with significant monetary awards based on academic merit and financial need. Annually, the Foundation provides $250,000 in scholarships to 40 of the best Greek American undergraduates in the nation.
Applicants came from nearly all 50 states, and a total of 20 received the need-based $10,000 award, while 20 received the merit-based $2,500 award. Scholarship awards are offered annually to recognize and reward students who have demonstrated exceptional academic performance, as well as to provide meaningful support to those with great financial need. By recognizing the achievements of outstanding students, the PanHellenic Scholarship Foundation encourages the Hellenic students to continue their scholarly pursuit and strive to accomplish their highest goals. The annual selection of Scholarship Award Recipients is conducted by an Academic Committee appointed by the Board of Directors.
“The PHSF would like to thank our Academic Committee, in particular Chairwoman Anita Skarpathiotis, who stepped in and led the entire Committee in working hard to select this year’s scholarship recipients. They had to make many difficult decisions from among an increasing number of exceptional applications received from throughout the U.S.,” said Trustee and Board Member, John Manos. “Lastly, but with our highest appreciation, we thank all of our generous supporters. It is your belief in educational excellence, coupled with strong Hellenic values, that drives our cause. You make the PanHellenic Scholarship Foundation thrive.”
For more information about The PanHellenic Scholarship Foundation and Alumni Weekend, please visit: http://www.panhellenicsf.org.
About The PanHellenic Scholarship Foundation
The PanHellenic Scholarship Foundation is a public 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization dedicated to honoring and rewarding exceptional undergraduate students of Hellenic descent. The Foundation was established in 2002 by Chris P. Tomaras (1937-2015) with the goal of building a better America through Education and Hellenism. Every year, The Foundation hosts its Awards Ceremony & Gala to distribute the scholarship awards. The Foundation is administered by Trustees, a Board of Directors, and a Board of Advisors representing a broad range of professional disciplines, as well as an active Alumni Board comprised of previous PanHellenic Scholarship recipients. The selection of recipients is made by an Academic Committee who works independently and makes its decisions based on established criteria set forth in the Foundation’s policies, procedures and by-laws. The Foundation is only able to accomplish its mission through its dedicated Boards, Committees, staff, volunteers, and interns.