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Frances Rich

In October 2012, The American College of Greece received the largest gift in its 137 history from renowned artist Frances Rich (1910-2007).  Rich’s gift, made through her estate, has been allocated to an endowed fund in her name to support ACG’s School of Fine and Performing Arts.  To date the College has received almost $2 million from Ms. Rich’s estate as well as numerous works of art by Rich and others.  The School of Fine and Performing Arts will be named in her honor.

Frances Rich had a passion for the arts and especially sculpture which spanned her long lifetime and likely inspired her interest in Greece.  Her friendship with Koralia Krokodilou, the beloved PIERCE dean of students whom she met in Massachusetts in 1947, began her relationship with The American College of Greece.  Her first visit to Greece occurred in 1958 when she accompanied her friend, the famous actress Katherine Hepburn on a trip to Athens.  In 1970 Rich’s well known sculpture The Mount Hymettus Saint Francis of Assisi was installed on the ACG campus in Krokodilou’s honor.  In addition to being an artist herself, Ms. Rich was associated with many of the leading artists of the 20thcentury including Malvina Hoffmann, Diego Rivera, and Carl Milles.

The Frances L. Rich Endowed Fund will generate permanent annual financial support for all aspects of the School of Fine and Performing Arts and will provide invaluable assistance as the School expands.  Launched officially in 2011, the School specializes in Visual Arts, Music, and Theater Arts.

Commenting on the importance of the Rich gift, President David G. Horner said “great colleges and universities rely on investments from alumni and friends to innovate, grow, improve and advance.   Frances Rich’s gift to ACG is a testament to the value of our College and the education it provides to talented students.  Her decision to support the arts will have an impact on our students and art in Greece for generations to come.”

ACG is tremendously grateful to Frances Rich for her commitment to the future of the College and to the arts.


George E. Triantaris, Vice President – tel. + 1.617.459.2829, [email protected]
Mary-Irene Triantafillou, Executive Director – tel. 210.600.9800, ext.: 1239, [email protected]

November 2013