On June 26, The American College of Greece held a special dedication ceremony marking the naming of the Deree Gym as the David G. Horner Gym, honoring Dr. David G. Horner’s 17 years of transformative service as President of ACG.
Members of the ACG community, including faculty, staff, parents, friends, and supporters of the College, gathered on campus for an evening of recognition and gratitude. The ceremony also included the unveiling of Dr. Horner’s official portrait, painted by artist Christos Bokoros, and remarks by Daniel B. Smith, PhD, Chair of the Board of Trustees at ACG, who spoke of Dr. Horner’s distinguished service and lasting contribution to the College.
In his remarks, Edward C. Wingenbach, PhD, President of The American College of Greece, paid tribute to a presidency that helped define the modern era of the institution. “Today gives formal recognition to a presidency of rare consequence,” he said. “Together, these honors recognize a record of leadership that is extraordinary by any serious measure.” Under Dr. Horner’s leadership, enrollment doubled, the College expanded its academic reach, strengthened its reputation, and deepened its impact in Greece and beyond. His tenure also saw the opening of Pierce Elementary, the integration of Alba Graduate Business School into The American College of Greece, and the substantial growth of the College’s endowment, strengthening the foundation for ACG’s future.
President Wingenbach also reflected on the significance of Dr. Horner’s leadership during a period marked by extraordinary challenges, including the Greek financial crisis and the COVID-19 pandemic. “Many institutions around the world spent those years trying simply to preserve what they already had,” he noted. “ACG grew stronger, more ambitious, and more consequential.” He emphasized that Dr. Horner’s legacy rests not only in institutional growth but also in the community he helped build: “The American College of Greece you led is stronger, larger, more visible, and better prepared for its future because of your presidency.”
The David G. Horner Gym now stands as a lasting tribute to a leader whose 17-year presidency transformed ACG and whose impact will continue to be felt by generations of students, faculty, staff, alumni, and friends of the College.
