This fall, The American College of Greece launched a Presidential Road Show in the United States to introduce its new President, Ed Wingenbach, PhD, to alumni, donors, partners, and the broader Greek American community. Through a series of high-level gatherings in Boston and New York, ACG highlighted its 150-year mission, its growing global footprint, and its role as a bridge between Greece, the United States, and the wider world. The series will continue this spring in Chicago and San Francisco and expand to the E.U. with events in London and Geneva.
Opening in Boston: A Warm Welcome at the Greek Consulate
The Road Show began in Boston with an evening hosted at the Greek Consulate, where alumni, friends of ACG, and members of the Greek American community gathered to hear President Wingenbach share his vision for the College’s future. Guests were welcomed by Consul General Symeon Tegos, whose gracious hospitality set the tone for a warm and engaging event. ACG alumnae, including Pierce alumna Anny Kosmidou of the Greek Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Dr. Lena Valavanis, NASA scientist and MIT professor, reflected on the enduring value of their ACG education and the doors it opened in their professional lives.
In his remarks during a Fireside Chat with MIT professor Dr. Artemis Rigos (Pierce ‘75 and founder of Epistimi), President Wingenbach emphasized ACG’s unique role in Greece and beyond, describing how the College combines exceptional academic opportunity, economic impact, and national service to set an example of what the best education can be.
Engaging Business Leaders at the Union League Club
The next stop was a luncheon, “A Legacy of Education and Leadership: A Conversation with ACG President Ed Wingenbach” at the Union League Club in New York, generously hosted by ACG trustees Alex Aldous and Antony Contomichalos. Business and civic leaders from across sectors joined a dynamic, interactive discussion about ACG’s strategic priorities: research and innovation, partnerships with the corporate and government sectors, and strengthening connections between Greece and the global economy.
As President Wingenbach noted, “We navigate the future with a commitment to market-responsiveness and to expanding our international community and global footprint, and we remain guided by the American values at the core of ACG and the determination to make the world a more just and democratic place.”
The conversation highlighted how ACG’s graduates and partners are positioned to contribute to the U.S. and Greece’s economic vitality and to international leadership in business and public service.
An Evening of Vision and Gratitude with the Logothetis Family
The Road Show continued with “An Evening with President Ed Wingenbach: Vision and Leadership Ahead,” graciously hosted by George and Nitzia Logothetis at their home. The evening’s centerpiece was a fireside chat between George Logothetis and President Wingenbach, exploring leadership, gratitude, and the power of education to transform lives.
Reflecting on the 15-year Libra–ACG partnership that created Greece’s first university-based international internship program, now offering opportunities to 80 young people from around the world each year, George shared how the initiative was designed to provide “infrastructure of possibility.”
President Wingenbach, in turn, spoke about gratitude as a discipline of leadership, saying, “If you believe in the transformative power of education to move people to do more good in the world, and if that’s what you get to do every day, then it’s hard not to wake up and be grateful.”
Showcasing Study Abroad at the NYC Consulate
The series concluded on December 4 with “Gateway to Greece: Opportunities for U.S. Students at The American College of Greece,” a reception at the Residence of the Consul General of Greece in New York, Ifigenia Kanara. The event brought together educators, study abroad officers, and partners from across the New York area to explore ACG’s expanding role as the leading study abroad destination for U.S. students in Greece.
Guests heard remarks from President Wingenbach, who emphasized ACG’s distinctive position at the intersection of American academic opportunity and Greek cultural immersion. “ACG offers U.S. students a powerful combination: the rigor of an American education and the inspiration of Greece,” he noted. Associate Dean Aubree Compton outlined pathways for U.S. high school and university students, ranging from semester- and summer-study abroad to undergraduate and graduate programs. Alumna Irene Sarri (Deree ’94) offered a personal testimony on how her ACG education shaped her professional path and personal growth.
The Consul General praised ACG’s role in deepening educational ties between Greece and the United States and highlighted the rapid growth in American students choosing Greece as their study abroad destination.
A Shared Vision for ACG’s Next Chapter
Across all four events, from Boston to New York, the Presidential Road Show affirmed a powerful truth: ACG’s strength lies in its community. Alumni, trustees, donors, and partners shared stories of impact and opportunity, while President Wingenbach articulated a bold vision for ACG’s future as a hub of academic excellence, global citizenship, and public purpose.
As ACG concludes its 150th anniversary celebration in 2025, the Road Show has ignited new momentum, strengthened long-standing relationships, and opened new avenues for collaboration. The College extends its heartfelt thanks to all who participated and looks forward to welcoming the ACG family, old friends and new, to future Road Show events in the U.S. and the E.U. this spring and to campus in Athens in the years ahead.