Welcome to the March issue of Touch Base, your official ACG Alumni e-newsletter issued by ACG’s Office of Development & Alumni Relations, helping you stay in touch with old classmates and stay abreast of developments at your alma mater, The American College of Greece.

The month of March signals a slew of important celebrations and other events around the world. In the US, March 17 marks St Patrick’s Day, in celebration of the Patron Irish Saint (really, a worldwide celebration of Irish culture), while basketball aficionados look forward to March Madness – with Selection Sunday this year falling on March 15.

Cultural events are also held throughout March celebrating Women’s History Month. In Greece, Greek Independence Day is observed and celebrated on March 25 with parades throughout the country, while the Orthodox faithful continue their Great Lent (begun this year in late February – Clean Monday).  It’s also International Women’s Day on March 8 – so happy Women’s Day to all alumnae! All women are granted free access to public transport to celebrate the day in Greece.

At The American College of Greece, March also signals the annual activity weeks dedicated to a particular theme or subject at DEREE which are open to all – this year featuring an exciting Arts Festival, a fun-packed Sustainability Week, with a focus on Sustainable Cities through presentations by celebrated speakers and hands-on activities, a love-inspired Sociology Week, and the industry staple Business Week, where academics and professionals come together sharing knowledge, ideas and best practices.

You can also check out our calendar section for other exciting happenings open to alumni.

In this issue, we feature Maria Katsarou, a noted DEREE alumna (‘95) and seasoned professional in the field of Organizational Development, leadership coaching and team effectiveness, who is the founder of Our World Group and The Leadership Psychology Institute.

Read on to find to find out what happened at the DEREE Ambassadors Alumni Reunion – a memorable evening dedicated to celebrating the people who gave so much to DEREE-ACG, serving the community.

Don’t miss our story on the Eurobank MBA Alumni Reunion and Refresher a very successful and inspiring alumni event, with many more planned!

See which top industry executives also came together to share their pearls of wisdom at Leading in the Digital Economy. Greece in the World, a stellar panel discussion organized by the ALBA Alumni Association in collaboration with ALBA in February.

Additionally, check out which other accomplished executives – who are also DEREE alumni from Heraklion – spoke during the DEREE Visits Your City Heraklion stop.

As always, don’t miss our popular Alumni on the Rise section, to see which ACG alumni are making a name for themselves in their respective fields.

In this issue, we also preview the 40-year PIERCE Class of ’75 Reunion taking place this April, which promises to be a unique, celebratory reunion worthy of the best traditions of PIERCE-ACG.

To keep in touch with other important developments at The American College of Greece, check out our ACG Highlights section, which this month includes stories on new courses on offer at DEREE Management Information Systems, Psychology, and Sports Management, wonderful student successes, inspiring charity work by students, a host of fun events at PIERCE open to children from all over Greece, the ACG Service Awards, honoring those who serve with exemplary ethos and dedication, and much more.

Finally, don’t forget to update your profile here – also to be forwarded to those alumni who you know are not registered at all with us – so that you don’t miss out on reunions, other happenings, alumni news and much, much, more!

We Stay Connected

The ACG Office of Development & Alumni Relations

Mary-Irene Triantafillou (DEREE ’89), Executive Director of Development at ACG, and Carolina Bachariou, ACG’s Office of Development and Alumni Relations Manager.