ACT Commencement 2012 with Mr.Peter Economides

In late June, ACT graduates celebrated another rite-of-passage, as the 2012 commencement ceremonies took place in the warm company of instructors, staff, administrators, family and friends. Keynote remarks were delivered by Brand-Strategist Peter Economides

His words to graduates acknowledged the chaotic and disruptive nature of the world they face, whilst encouraging them to embrace the challenges and opportunities such conditions provide. With confidence and optimism, Mr. Economides paid tribute to the sacrifices made by earlier generations, the wisdom they had gained from adversity, and the need for this generation of young people to recapture that integrity and use it for positive change. Saying “you need to connect with who you really are, you need to believe in what you can achieve, you need to work hard to achieve it… but most of all you need to love what you do. This boat wants to be rocked – rock it! Make a dent on the universe – we want you too.”

During the event, students were awarded for academic excellence, and active participation in sports and extracurricular activities. The “Philip & Marjorie Ireland Humanitarian Award” was presented to Mrs. Danai Papdatos, President of the NGO "Welfare" to honor her outstanding contribution to humanitarian and social service work.

2012 class valedictorian Emilya Georgieva, an International Relations major from Bulgaria, encouraged her classmates to seek excellence in their own lives through service and growth, and reflected on the ACT experience. 2011-2012 MBA class valedictorian Elisabeth Tsavdaridis Veenendaal spoke of the need to put learning into practice, and how ACT taught her to blend theory into practice from the program’s first days.

We look forward to this generation’s accomplishments and are proud of ACT’s role in widening the world and moving it forward.