20 χρόνια του Συλλόγου Αποφοίτων Αμερικανικών Πανεπιστημίων Βορείου Ελλάδος
Με χαρά γιορτάσαμε τα 20 χρόνια δραστηριοτήτων, συναντήσεων, οικονομικών , επιστημονικών και κοινωνικών εκδηλώσεων των Αποφοίτων Αμερικανικών Πανεπιστημίων.
Η εκδήλωση έγινε στην οικία του Γεν. Προξένου των ΗΠΑ κ. Greg Pfleger για να τιμήσουμε τα 20 χρόνια των Αποφοίτων Αμερικανικών Πανεπιστημίων.
Μας τίμησαν με την παρουσία τους ο Περιφερειάρχης Κ. Μακεδονίας κ. Απόστολος Τζιτζικώστας, πολλά μέλη του διπλωματικού σώματος, πολλοί βουλευτές, επιχειρηματίες, καθηγητές, οι φίλοι και τα μέλη των Αποφοίτων.
Remarks NF on 12/12/18 for the 20 years of the AUAA
Dear friends, we welcome all to this event.
First we have to thank the CG Mr. Greg Pfleger who gladly hosted this evening at his residence.
We welcome the Consul of Canada Mr. Petmezas who honors most of our events, Mr. G. Orfanos ex minister of Macedonia- Thrace and candidate Mayor of Thessaloniki, K. Gioulekas, the Governor of CM Apostolos Tzitzikostas, K. Zervas member of our board- Mayor candidate, A. Eythimiou and many others.
This year the American Universities Alumni Association of Northern Greece celebrates 20 years of it’s existence.
The Alumni works hard to bring value to the society, to strengthen better US Greek relations, to bring the academic culture and change from US Universities, to workplaces in Greece.
The first thanks should go to the initiators of the association, about 100 distinguished personalities. The first president Mr. Silvestriadis collected the signatures.
Every President and the members of the board contributed to their best for promoting the USA Greek academic culture and atmosphere. We have to thank Mr. Pougouras, Prof. Member of the Academy and Nobel laureate Christos Zerefos, and finally myself, standing in front of you.
The Alumni started with 100 members. We worked to make them ~300, during the crisis we lost 70-80 who went back to the States. We need new members. Please bring to the association anyone alumni we have missed.
We must thank all the CGs of the USA, starting from Mimi Hughes, John Koenig, Hoyt Yee, Kathrine Kay, Robert Sanders, Rebecca Fong and all others for the support and friendship they have given to our alumni. Thessaloniki has proven to be a worthwhile and lucky post for almost all CG’s. Some continued at higher posts, CdA, Ambassadors, Deputy Under Secretary of State. We hope Greg that Thessaloniki will bring success to your career to whatever you wish.
Many thanks go, of course, to Ioanna, Maria Makri, Xeni, Tzeni Regou and all the nice people of the consulate working for keeping the association supported.
I have to thank personally all the members of the present board: Prof Than Oikonomou, Breznief Secretary Vassili Christaki, soul of our board Panagiota Tasiou, Noni Bitzidou, Kostis Giannakopoulos, Kostas Zervas- mayor candiatate, Stamatis Yiannikis, and all other previous members …. names …. who for 3 terms of 3 years= 9 years, they had to … tolerate me- ανέχονται. They have put all the effort and goodwill, alongside with the President, who is trying to have results, trying to do things differently from the past and other organizations. We are trying to bring change.
And most of all, I have to thank Dina who quietly αθόρυβα, but positively suppotrs- υποστηρίζειανέχεται- and hosts – φιλοξενεί όλα τα συμβούλια- board meetings. Thank you Dina. You are doing a lot. Κάνεις πάρα πολλά.
Alumni activities have been always subject of public interest. Culture, music, clima, shuttle space with Prof. Krimizis, universe creation with Prof. Nanopoulos, archaeology with Prof. Andreou, social media with Prof. Zizi Papaharisi, mineral resources in Northern Greece with Minister Maniatis, urban planning with Prof Pollalis, banking with Prof. Katseli and then President of the National Bank, we had an event with the issue of western Thermaikos bay rejuvenation- what we call today the sea front of Thessaloniki from 2012, with US Ambassador Ries we had a 450 people sit down dinner on the subject of US investments. Many thanks to Ambassador Geoffrey Pyatt for his excellent speech on US investments and geopolitics in Northern Greece, this April.
We have organized events of 900 people at the Music Hall, sit down dinners of 450 people, to happy hours and social events.
The crisis came, but we worked to keep the association alive with meaningful events.
One of the major particularities- ιδιατερότητες is that we do not have money, we do not have sponsors … who usually direct the focus of activities and we do not charge tickets for our activities. We live from the dues of our members, whom we thank greatly and the support of the board members, who from time to time give economic contributions.
We also must say thank you to all our associates from the business community and the think- tank “New Wave -New Vision” who worked, co organized and supported financially many of our economic interest events. Some are here tonight. Thank you.
The Alumni has brought with its activities positive association attitude change in Thessaloniki. Other organizations, referred our paradigm. We welcomed and supported all of them. More culture, more activities enriches our society.
But as politicians do, we must give promises … that we will continue to work for the Alumni- Αποφοίτους, to fulfill to our best our purposes, with more activities, social events, better relations within Greece, USA and all other friendly counties. We promoted always positive change, investments and growth- many years before everybody agreed on.
Greece needs more change, more development, more new ideas, new paths for the future, we must abort all negative issues and move forward for new developments.
Again thank you Greg for your support, we look forward for increased positive collaboration.
Before closing my remarks, allow me 2 commemorative presents: first go to the cute Nina … and a nice photo book of Greece for the C.G. Greg Pfleger!
Dear friends, we previewed turkey for Thanksgiving and upcoming Christmas, provided by the Alumni and kindly hosted by the Consul General.
Enjoy your evening!
