ACT Commencement Ceremony 2022
On June 15th, ACT bade farewell and congratulated the Class of 2022. The Commencement Ceremony took place at the closed gym of Anatolia High School. The event marked the successful completion of a demanding academic period that led the class of 2022 to degrees, academic awards, and distinctions for outstanding performance in extracurricular activities.
Dr. Stamos Karamouzis, ACT Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs, underlined the institution's mission and its contribution to society by instilling in students democratic and civic awareness, a sense of individual and social responsibility, a spirit of esteem for others, social institutions, and the environment. Dr. Karamouzis also conveyed his gratitude to parents, family members, and faculty members for the graduating class's achievement.
This year's keynote speaker was Thomas Tsotsos, Senior Director of Global Retail Transformation & Channel initiatives at adidas and ACT Class of '01 alumnus. After graduating from ACT with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration, Thomas started working at Tchibo, a German chain of coffee retailers and cafés known for its weekly-changing range of products, including clothing, household items, electronics, and electrical appliances. In 2004 he assumed the position of Senior Planning Manager at adidas Germany and is currently responsible for the company's global retail transformation and channel initiatives. In addition, he received executive education in Finance from the London Business School and Leading through Influence from Ashridge Executive Education, Hult International Business School. The speaker was introduced to the audience by Markos Papageorgiou, an Anatolia College's Board of Trustees member and chair of the ACT Oversight Committee. During his inspiring and encouraging speech, Mr. Tsotsos pointed out that "ACT education has been a catalyst in my life and helped me navigate the change." His experience made him realize that "looking back, what prepared best for the few, big moments of opportunity that mattered, were positive outlook, and a bias towards action." His advice to the graduates was to believe in themselves, define what they want, keep moving forward, and grow by helping others grow.
The ceremony proceeded with the awards and distinction. This year's Teaching Excellence Award recipient was Dr. Serap Ayşe Kayatekin, Professor of Economics and Social Science in the Division of Humanities and Social Studies. Anatolia College President Dr. Panos Vlachos presented the award, acknowledging her contribution to ACT's strategic direction and objectives.
Markos Papageorgiou, Marianna Rassidaki – Kyriakidou, Dr. Aimiliza Stefanidou, Coordinator, BS in Psychology & MS in I/O Psychology
The valedictorian for the Undergraduate Class of 2022 was Marianna Rassidaki – Kyriakidou, who earned a 3.99-grade point average and graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Psychology.
The valedictorian for the graduate MBA class of 2022 is Angeliki Athanasiou, with a 3.97-grade point average in the Master of Science in Industrial/Organizational Psychology.
Dr. Maria Kyriakidou, Head of the Division of Humanities and Social Sciences.
Anton Daniel Podovinikoff graduated with the highest GPA in Political Science and IR and received the William McGrew Award for Excellence in International Relations from Markos Papageorgiou.
The valedictorian Marianna Rasidaki Kyriakidou also received the Alki Kyriakidou-Nestoros memorial prize for excellence in Liberal Arts for 2022 for getting the highest grade point average within the Division of Humanities and Social Sciences and for her participation in extracurricular activities.
Emmanuel Maou, Head of Division of Science and Tecnhology, Danjela Lura, M;arkos Papageorgiou.
This year the Stavros Niarchos Award for Excellence in Computing was presented to Danjela Lura, a student with strong technical background and passion for programming.
Sonja Canco received the Elizabeth Yfantis Demeter Award for Excellence in Business Administration which is presented to the most academically proficient female graduating student of the Business School.
Stepan Partemian, Coordinator of Athletic and Student Activities, Ioannis Matsinas, Thomas Tsotsos.
Ioannis Matsinas, the ACT basketball team MVP and best dressed Sparrowhawk, and the basketball MVP, received the Athletic Award.
