O C V ΓΡΑΦΕΙ ΤΗΝ ΙΣΤΟΡΙΑ Bringing the news ΤΟΥ ΕΛΛΗΝΙΣΜΟΥ to generations of ΑΠΟ ΤΟ 1915 The National Herald Greek Americans A WEEKLY GREEK AMERICAN PUBLICATION c v www.thenationalherald.com VOL. 12, ISSUE 591 February 7, 2009 $1.25 GREECE: 1.75 EURO Anti-Cyprus Papadakis: Honoring Hellenism as Bias Aired On Drexel Univeristy President NPR Program Innovative Ideas Turned University’s Fortunes Around By Dan Georgakas By Demetris Tsakas the helm, Dr. Papadakis managed Papadakis through his interviews Special to The National Herald Special to The National Herald to stop the downward slide and get with the paper and the specials de- the university moving in the right voted to the Philadelphia-based National Public Radio is one of NEW YORK – Greek American re- direction once again. university, as well as the honors the more reputable radio systems searcher and academician Dr. Con- Although each of the following and awards that the Greek Ameri- now operating in the United States. stantine Papadakis has built a sto- years came with their own set of can Community has bestowed up- Opinion and commentary are well ried career out of raising the bar unique challenges, Dr. Papadakis on this much deserving university labeled and usually are not con- higher than the competition in each dared to not only move forward leader. During his most recent in- fused with reportage. Recently, and every goal he has ever set. His one small step at a time, but chase terview with TNH, Dr. Papadakis The World, a program offered by courage and decisiveness have progress with leaps and bounds. spoke with particular pride about NPR, has violated this elementary been his greatest tools in achieving Since then, he has managed to ren- the progress and growth Drexel rule of journalism with two reports success in both the academic and ovate university facilities, establish University has achieved during his from Nicosia that consciously or corporate world. It was with this new programs, triple the student tenure as President. unconsciously promote the Turkish philosophy that he approached his body, and turn Drexel University in- When asked about the situation view of the island’s problems. greatest professional challenge on to a major research center. Follow- he inherited when he first assumed The reports are filed by Aaron August 1, 1995, when he walked ing the recent establishment of a his duties, Dr. Papadakis explained Schachter directly from Nicosia. up the steps of Drexel University to new campus in Sacramento, Calif., that “the big problem that Drexel Schachter’s reports do not contain assume the institution’s presidency. Dr. Papadakis has turned Drexel was facing back then was that it overtly anti-Greek statements, but Based on his impressive resume University into a bicoastal academ- had sustained major damage. The the unsaid can be as crucial as the and decades of accomplishment, he ic institution. student body had decreased from spoken word. Schachter’s omis- approached the challenge with When Dr. Papadakis assumed 16,000 to 7,500, and the quality of sions, style, and format grossly dis- complete confidence that he would the presidency of Drexel University, leadership had dropped off as well. tort the history of the island and not only manage to save the univer- it was ranked 175th out of 3,500 No employees had received a raise the current legal realities. Crucial sity’s prestige and assets, but im- U.S. universities. Today, it has for three years, the good professors issues are reduced to trivial cultural prove it and turn it into one of the climbed to the 89th spot on the list were leaving for other schools, and disputes for the amusement of most respected centers of higher of “Best National Universities,” and the university had fallen into a very third parties. education in the entire United was also named sixth among the dismal economic state. When I Nowhere in his reporting does States. top “up-and-coming” national uni- came here they were ready to sell Schachter clearly acknowledge that Dr. Papadakis took over the versities by U.S. News & World Re- off all of Drexel’s artwork and stat- the Republic of Cyprus (the Greek reigns of Drexel, when the 118- port. ues. They had even called state if you will) is the only govern- AP PHOTO/SUSAN WALSH year-old university was in a period Thanks to the innovative spirit Christie’s, which had prepared an ment recognized by the United Na- Harry Markopolos Testifies on Madoff Scandal of decline. Its student population and shrewd business sense he has inventory of the school’s artwork – tions and the European Union as had dropped off by 50 percent, and demonstrated all throughout his including our famous David Ritten- legitimate. Instead, Schachter ca- Independent financial fraud investigator Harry Markopolos testifies on just a few days earlier the interna- career, Dr. Papadakis has managed house musical orrery longcase sually but continually refers to the Capitol Hill in Washington, Wednesday, February 4, 2009, before the tional art dealer Christie’s had to attract the attention of the Amer- clock, which was worth $10 mil- area occupied by the Turkish mili- House Financial Services Capital Markets, Insurance, and Government agreed to auction off Drexel’s art- ican, Greek American, and Greek lion. I asked the board of directors tary as “Northern Cyprus” as if Sponsored Enterprises subcommittee hearing on the Madoff scandal Mr. work so the university could raise press on many occasions. to give me a chance to save the uni- Markopolos criticized the Securities and Exchange Commission for 10 the necessary funds to cover its Readers of The National Herald Continued on page 9 years of inaction. See related story on page 4. debts. Right from his first year at are also well acquainted with Dr. Continued on page 5 Church Feud NFL Star Constantly Crossing Himself Ends In By Evan C. Lambrou Greene. ing himself during games. Special to The National Herald “It’s a blessing,” said Polamalu, That little fact is not lost on who was also part of the Pittsburgh Pittsburgh’s Greek Orthodox fans: Conviction For NEW YORK – After the game, Troy team which defeated the Seattle “Each time there is an important Polamalu couldn’t stop smiling. Seahawks 21-10 in Super Bowl XL play, he makes his cross the Ortho- During the game, he couldn’t seem three years ago. “I don’t know how dox way. Nobody else does this, Parishioner to stop crossing himself – from much he’ll remember, but he might and it is a beautiful thing,” said right to left, the Orthodox way – as have two rings in his vault and, God Metropolitan Maximos of Pitts- By Theodore Kalmoukos the Pittsburgh Steelers staged a re- willing, maybe more. He’s speech- burgh, who officiated at Polamalu’s Special to The National Herald markable comeback during the less right now as you can see.” wedding four years ago. game’s final three minutes, win- Reporters often have to strain to In post-game interviews, Pola- BOSTON – A Greek Orthodox ning the historic franchise’s un- hear the soft-spoken Polamalu’s malu joked about a see-saw fourth parishioner from St. Nicholas precedented sixth Super Bowl title. words, but the sound of his crunch- quarter, during which the lead Greek Orthodox parish in Oak The Steelers’ 27-23 victory over ing hits is as unmistakable as his changed twice in the final 2:37, Lawn, Illinois was found guilty and the Arizona Cardinals was only part impact on Pittsburgh’s drive for the and that the Steelers failing to put faces up to one year in prison ac- of the reason Polamalu was smil- NFL championship, having record- the game away until forcing Cardi- AP PHOTO/THANASIS STAVRAKIS cording to the legal guidelines for ing. The all-pro safety conducted ed seven interceptions this season. nals Quarterback Kurt Warner to Security Guard Shot Outside U.S. Embassy violating his priest’s order against post-game interviews with his Polamalu, one of the best defen- fumble in the closing seconds him not to step in the church for young son Paisios sitting on his leg sive backs, and arguably the best “probably took a couple of years off Police detectives search the scene of a shooting outside the U.S. any reason. in a No. 43 Steelers jersey and his safety in professional football, is al- my life.” embassy in Athens on Wednesday, February 4, 2009. Authorities Emmanuel Papadopoulos, 52, a wife Theodora standing next to so a devout Greek Orthodox Christ- “I wish it wasn’t close. But it’s say a 31-year old private security guard was seriously injured former employee of Bank of Ameri- him. Polamalu was also featured in ian. Drafted by the Steelers in amazing. It probably ranks up there when he was shot by a Greek policeman in an apparent accident ca and currently an independent a Coca Cola commercial reminis- 2003, most NFL fans are now famil- outside the U.S. ambassador's residence next to the embassy investment consultant had been a cent of Steelers great Mean Joe iar with the sight of Polamalu cross- Continued on page 4 building in central Athens. parishioner at St. Nicholas since 1962. Mr. Papadopoulos and five other members of the parish in- cluding the former treasurer of the parish council Susanna Searl were banned from even stepping into the DA Cursin’ Mad Over Lost Millions in Rondos Case G. Rossides House of God to worship for asking questions about the parishes’ fi- By Laura Italiano itated clients - including crippled was doing," the DA said of the ap- pointed guardian for 23 injured Passing the nances and transparency.