CTY Greece p. 4 Autumn 2020 Interview: Vassos Efthymiadis, A new Home for Pinewood two new Erasmus + managing Director of K&n Efthymiadis S.A. International School Programs at ACt Page 5 Page 6 Page 10 Anatolia College Announces New “Center for Educational Excellence” fter securing a generous founding gift from Aa passionate and concerned benefactor who shares in the transformative vision, Ana- tolia College has announced an ambitious new plan to transform its educational landscape by creating a regional “Center for Educational Excellence.” The Center’s focus will be guided by our core mission to unite a diverse student body through innovative practices and com- mitment to academic excellence. The new Center’s mission will be to establish a Anatolia framework for developing and implementing new educational approaches, and become a Responds to the regional leader for contemporary educational methodology and development. An innovative educational model will augment Coronavirus Crisis Anatolia’s core progressive educational philos- The Center for Educational Excellence will that will grow in conjunction with economic natolia College reacted swiftly and de- ophy to provide the necessary focus, facilities, partner with leading institutions in the US and development in this part of the world. As the Acisively in response to the Coronavirus programs, and faculty to support our communi- Europe. The partnerships will foster the pro- city extends its role as an international edu- lockdown. Driven by our commitment to ty. Anatolia’s new learning paradigm will amplify fessional development opportunities teach- cational destination, Anatolia will serve as a our students, faculty, staff and the extended the current educational model toward learning ers need to best support students, both at pivotal institution in this aspect of regional de- community, we acted to assure their safety that emphasizes skills and their practical appli- Anatolia and throughout the wider region. velopment, and the Center for Educational Ex- and well-being at all times. As borders be- cations. It will introduce a flexible delivery mode, The Center will also emphasize research as a cellence will provide the platform from which gan to close, we took immediate initiatives providing personalized, student-centered learn- means of expanding the scope of the Center’s Anatolia will assume this role. to help students from abroad return safe- ing that will encourage the curiosity and critical impact. The Center of Educational Excellence The Center for Educational Excellence will in- ly to their home countries, helping them thinking skills necessary to become creative, will therefore disseminate best practices to the clude four main components: Endowed Faculty make last-minute travel arrangements, and flexible problem-solvers. Through an emphasis wider region and participate in an exchange Development and Scholarships funds, a new even providing bus transportation for stu- on communication, interdisciplinary work, and of ideas and faculty within a global academic building for our International Baccalaureate dents from Albania to return home. For the empathy, students will gain the perspective they community. program and expansion of our dormitory. The four students in the Boarding Department need to become global citizens and productively In addition, Thessaloniki remains a critical re- building projects will be designed, planned, and who were unable to repatriate to Italy and confront 21st century challenges. gional hub for economic activity, an epicenter built within the next three years. China, we ensured their accommodation on Campus - full room and board - could con- tinue uninterrupted. Continuous efforts from our faculty and aca- demic staff to shift the curriculum to an on- Building Towards the Future line learning environment allowed lessons to continue and kept students connected ignificant progress toward our Campaign This new building will feature dedicated labora- to the school and the educational process. Sgoals was achieved this year as Anatolia tory facilities for Physics, Chemistry, and Biology The extraordinary effort to incorporate moved forward with its planned develop- classes as well as a multipurpose classroom fully new educational technology accelerated ments and announced a new transforma- equipped for students and teachers to explore our transition to a new era of teaching and tional initiative that will inspire and nurture the most modern developments in this rapidly learning across all divisions. The summer students for many years to come. changing world. As part of the broader outreach was dedicated to preparing and refining The Anna Papageorgiou STEM Center was to the community, Anatolia College will host plans and policies which will guide every completed and is ready for the new school events and classes in this new facility that will division in facing the educational challeng- year! This 950 square-meter building is effec- be open to all students, making it an important es that await this coming fall. tively energy self-sustaining with zero emis- resource for science education in the region of sions and will showcase American green Northern Greece and beyond. technology, including photovoltaic cells, and The Anna Papageorgiou STEM Center received a geothermal heating and cooling system. major support from the USAID/ASHA (United Our STEM Center building is dedicated to the States Agency for International Development/ innovative teaching of the sciences, technol- American Schools and Hospitals Abroad), and ogy, engineering and math and will serve as from the Papageorgiou Foundation as well as a physical example of the curriculum’s con- commitments from Trustees of Anatolia Col- tent - a ‘living laboratory’ in which students lege, Anatolia Collage alumni, parents, and a not only learn, but experience the principles host of other private and corporate donors. and methodologies they are studying. - Continued on page 2 Page 1 • The Anatolian • Autumn 2020 Anatolia College Institutional News In Memoriam: Stavros Constantinidis Building Towards the Future Continued from page 1 Stavros Constantinidis, one of Anatolia College’s longest-serving Trustees, passed away on De- Bissell Challenge cember 14th, 2019, leaving an unfillable hole in the heart of the Anatolia community. is Successfully Completed From his family’s beginnings in Prousa (Asia Minor), Stavros Constantinidis graduated from The longstanding effort to expand Anatolia’s Anatolia College in 1947. He earned an under- Elementary School took a great leap forward graduate degree from the School of Chemical this year with the successful completion of Engineering of Geneva University and a PhD the Bissell Challenge. This major fundraising from Basel University. The son of a self-taught initiative will provide the necessary support industrialist, Constantinidis built his family busi- for the building project, which is critical to ness into one of the most successful textile “...One of Anatolia’s greatest the adoption of our new learning paradigm companies in northern Greece and the sur- contributions to our society at the AES. rounding region, distinguishing himself and the is the balanced, democratic It marks a great milestone in our ongoing company as a prototypical employer known for Comprehensive Campaign, demonstrat- entrepreneurial vision and good practices. environment the school of- ing once again the strong dedication and His love for Anatolia College was reflected in his fers. Teaching our students commitment felt towards our school by all service and generosity. In 1976, Constantinidis members of the Anatolia community. When became a member of the Anatolia Board of to open their minds and use Trustee and major benefactor George Bissell Trustees, where he served as Vice Chair of the the strength of their character announced his intention to match dona- Board, and as a member of the Executive, Facil- to achieve their goals – this tions from alumni and parents, and to triple ities, Elementary School Governance, and High From left: July 2020. The U.S. General Consul in Thessa- all monies received from students and young School Governance Committees. is how we can make positive loniki Gregory Pfleger, Jr, the Anatolia College President alumni, he challenged all those who cared His engineering background proved invalu- change in society...” Dr. Panos Vlachos, and the U.S. Ambassador in Greece about Anatolia’s future to support the school’s able to the Board of Trustees in matters of Geoffrey R. Pyatt. efforts by contributing to the Campaign for Anatolia’s physical environment and campus - Stavros Constantinidis “The Anatolian” (2015) the Next Century. The Bissell Challenge, as expansion projects, many of which he donat- the match-funding came to be known, raised ed funds towards. Ambassador Pyatt and the a total of nearly 1.1 million Euros, a significant A firm believer in Anatolia’s mission to edu- New Consul in Thessaloniki amount of the overall campaign goal. cate students from all socio-economic back- Visit Anatolia The campaign’s success is surely due to the grounds, Stavros Constantinidis was a strong overwhelmingly positive feedback from the advocate for scholarships. Following in his fa- United States Ambassador Geoffrey R. Pyatt roughly 300 donors who heeded to the call ther’s tradition as a donor, he funded ten full took advantage of his time in Thessaloniki to and opened their hearts and wallets. In a scholarships to Greek Cypriot students follow- visit Anatolia College