The event commenced with a speech by Professor and author Dimitris Bourantas, Rector of New York College and founder of the postgraduate programs in Human Resource Management and Executive MBA at the Athens University of Economics and Business. His deeply human and inspiring message urged graduates to \u201ccontinue their journey towards their own Ithaca, turning their dreams into reality.\u201d<\/p>\n
Left to right<\/strong>: Dr. Vassilis Skianis, Academic Director of New York College Athens; Prof. Dimitris Bourantas, Rector of New York College; Francesca Cichello, Sr. Executive Director, Center for International and Extended Education; Dr. Todd Nesbitt, Director of European Programs, Center for International Education, State University of New York \u2013 Empire State University; Aris Matthaiou, Assistant Vice Chancellor, University of Greater Manchester; Professor Natasha Vall, Pro Vice Chancellor and Executive Dean; Professor Zoe Pettit, Deputy Dean, Faculty of Liberal Arts and Sciences, University of Greenwich; and Dr. Isabelle Sol\u00e9, Director for Bachelor Programs \u2013 Toulouse School of Management, Universit\u00e9 Toulouse 1 Capitole.<\/p>\n The Bachelor\u2019s and Master\u2019s degrees \u2013 earned entirely through studies in Greece \u2013 were conferred by the distinguished academic representatives of the partner universities: A highlight of the evening was the honorary recognition awarded to Olympian and Balkan champion Maria Polyzou, the first Greek woman to run the marathon in the Olympic Games and the only woman to have completed the Pheidippidean Feat. The distinction was granted in recognition of her remarkable journey and her contribution to promoting the values of perseverance, self-awareness, and service.<\/p>\n Dr. Elias Foutsis, Hon PhD, President and Founder of the New York College Educational Group, warmly wished graduates a successful professional journey and encouraged them to remain committed to knowledge, lifelong learning, and personal development. As he characteristically stated: Dr. Elias Foutsis, Hon PhD, President and Founder of the NYC Educational Group, with former Minister of National Defense, retired Navy Admiral, and Honorary Chief of the Hellenic National Defense General Staff, Mr. Evangelos Apostolakis.
Francesca Cichello, Sr. Executive Director of the Center for International and Extended Education, and Dr. Todd Nesbitt, Director of European Programs, Center for International Education, State University of New York \u2013 Empire State University;
Professor Natasha Vall, Pro Vice Chancellor and Executive Dean, and Professor Zoe Pettit, Deputy Dean, Faculty of Liberal Arts and Sciences, University of Greenwich;
Dr. Greg Walker, Acting Vice Chancellor, and Aris Matthaiou, Assistant Vice Chancellor of the University of Greater Manchester;
Dr. Isabelle Sol\u00e9, Director for Bachelor Programs \u2013 Toulouse School of Management, Universit\u00e9 Toulouse 1 Capitole.<\/p>\n
\u201cLearning is like rowing. If you stop rowing, the current will take you backwards. Keep learning and retraining \u2013 it\u2019s the only way forward.\u201d<\/p>\n
Dr. Elias Foutsis, Hon PhD, President and Founder of the NYC Educational Group, with the Ambassador of Albania to Greece, Ms. Luela Hajdaraga.<\/p>\n