The American College of Greece proudly celebrated the achievements of the Class of 2026 during the Nineteenth Graduate Commencement Ceremony, honoring graduates from Alba Graduate Business School and the Deree Graduate Programs as they reached one of the most significant milestones of their academic and professional journeys.
Faculty, staff, families, friends, alumni, and distinguished guests gathered to celebrate the graduates’ accomplishments and welcome them into ACG’s global alumni community of more than 70,000 members.
The evening also marked a historic moment for the College, as it was the first Graduate Commencement presided over by Edward C. Wingenbach, PhD, as President of The American College of Greece. In his address, President Wingenbach recognized the extraordinary commitment of graduate students who pursued advanced degrees while balancing careers, families, and personal responsibilities. Reflecting on the purpose of graduate education, he reminded graduates that “Professional accomplishment is not measured primarily by title, compensation, or authority. The important measure is whether your work creates capacity for others,” encouraging the Class of 2026 to lead with integrity, responsibility, and service, in the spirit of ACG’s motto, Non Ministrari Sed Ministrare (“Not to be served, but to serve”).
The ceremony also included the conferral of the Doctor of Laws, Honoris Causa, upon Evangelos J. Pistiolis, in recognition of his distinguished contributions and achievements. President Wingenbach, conferred the honorary degree on behalf of the Board of Trustees of The American College of Greece, recognizing Mr. Pistiolis’ distinguished leadership as an entrepreneur and his significant contributions to the global shipping industry.
Among the ceremony’s most inspiring moments was the presentation of the Highest Achievement Awards, recognizing graduates whose exceptional academic performance exemplified excellence across ACG’s graduate programs.
Speaking on behalf of Alba Graduate Business School, Nefeli Kapsali, graduate of the Master of Science in International Business and Management, reflected on the diverse community that shaped her experience. “Some of the most valuable lessons we learned did not come from textbooks or presentations, but from one another,” she said, encouraging her fellow graduates to embrace curiosity, collaboration, and lifelong learning as they move forward.
Representing Deree, Polytimi Kolyva, graduate of the Master of Arts in Strategic Communication & Public Relations, spoke about choosing growth over certainty and embracing life’s unexpected opportunities. “The path is not something waiting for you in the distance. It is something you build step by step, decision by decision, word by word,” she told the graduating class, encouraging them to continue creating their own future with courage and purpose.
The Highest Achievement Awards were also presented to Lisette Cristal Candelier Vargas and Charalampos Samakas Karousos, both graduates of the Master of Arts in Learning Design and Technology program, recognizing their outstanding academic achievement.
Following the conferral of degrees, President Wingenbach formally welcomed the graduates into the ACG alumni family and concluded with a final charge to the Class of 2026: “May the education you received here be visible in the standards you uphold, the organizations you strengthen, and the good you make possible.”
The evening concluded with a celebratory reception on the Deree Lawn, where graduates, families, faculty, staff, and friends came together to commemorate this important milestone and celebrate the beginning of an exciting new chapter.
If you would like to watch the Graduate Commencement Ceremony in full, please click below.
To the Graduates of the Class of 2026: congratulations once again on this remarkable achievement. As you begin this exciting new chapter, we wish you every success in your personal and professional journey.
Welcome to the ACG alumni family!