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STORIES:
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June 26, 2009 |
| In this issue: | |
| Happenings | |
| Upcoming Events | |
| Announcements | |
| Chairs' Corner | |
| Faculty News | |
| Careerwire | |
| Message from the President | ||
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Dear ACT Students and Faculty, As I conclude this summer 10 years as President of Anatolia, never have I been more optimistic about the future of ACT. We have just completed 3 days of intense and productive trustee meetings here, and the ACT campus, looking out from the Faculty Conference Room, was bustling with energy and vitality, with the recent sports tournament as a backdrop...(read more) |
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| Happenings | |
| >>Academics | |
DEREE COLLEGE SOCIETY VISITED ACT A
delegation of 6 students and 2 faculty from Deree’s “Finance and Accounting
Society” visited ACT on Saturday, May 23, and met
with members of the ACT
Student Government Association and the Assistant Dean of Academic and
Student Affairs and the Coordinator of Athletics and Student
Activities. It was
a promising first meeting, setting the foundation for future cooperation
between the two institutions. |
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A DOCUMENTARY FILM MAKER AT ANATOLIA/ACTOn March 23, following the end of the International Documentary Film Festival in Thessaloniki, Athens based documentary filmmaker, Stavros Psillakis, visited Anatolia. He presented his new film “There Was No Other Way” to ACT students and guests and had a long discussion with the audience on the making of this very special film. The filmmaker was particularly interested in how such a young audience, one that had not lived through the drama of the civil war and its aftermaths, would perceive the film. Study abroad students taking Greek history and anthropology classes felt the film made what they were studying come alive, while students from Balkan countries (including 10 guests from Perrotis College) were touched by the diachronically humanitarian and global message of the film...(read more) |
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BISSELL LIBRARY ENTITLE - LIFELONG LEARNING AND LIBRARIES CONFERENCE Bissell
Library Director, Teresa Grenot, and Librarian, Stella Asderi represented
ACT at Europe’s New libraries Together In Transversal Learning
Environments (ENTITLE) Lifelong Learning and Libraries Conference at
the University of Macedonia, May 8, 2009. Stella Asderi
presented at the conference on the successes and future goals of the
ACT Bissell Library Information Literacy Program. This innovative program
began as a pilot project in 2005 to support the needs of 21st
century ACT students and focused on the Association of College and
Research Libraries (ACRL) Standards.
In 2006, the ACT Library Information Literacy Program expanded, and collaboration was initiated with English 101 faculty. Our successful, collaborative program with the English 101 department now features ACT Bissell librarians teaching eight (8) weeks of valuable information literacy skills to all our ACT English 101 students. |
TENTH SEASON OF DUKAKIS CHAIR ACTIVITIES The Michael S. Dukakis Chair celebrated its tenth season of public service initiatives in 2008-09. The Dukakis Chair, which was inaugurated at ACT in September 1999 by Governor Dukakis himself, has become a leading forum for debate and discussion of the important issues of our times, with a principal view toward inspiring youth on both sides of the Atlantic to become more involved in the public affairs of their countries. In 2008-09, ACT organized lectures by Ambassador Leonidas Evangelides, Thea Halo, Armen Marsoobian, Philip Hollander, John Constantelos and Polly Diven, Margaret Kenna, Philip Carabott, Jason Athanasiadis, and Zizi Papacharissi, while Michael Dukakis made a guest appearance via teleconference. Under the direction of Dr. David Wisner more than 100 public events have been organized on and off the ACT campus since early 2000. ACT has often collaborated with the US Consul General of Thessaloniki in such public service initiatives as voter registration drives for US students and absentee ballot support during election years. In May 2008 ACT and the Consulate co-sponsored an American studies seminar on security threats through US history, with senior representatives from RAND, ELIAMEP, and the US Department of State. A series of high profile events is being scheduled for fall 2009 to mark the tenth anniversary of Governor Dukakis’ inaugural address. |
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The
Sixth Annual American
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Bissell Library – AMICAL 2009 Conference, Yerevan, Armenia Bissell Library Director Teresa Grenot participated in the sixth annual American International Consortium of Academic Libraries (AMICAL) Conference in Yerevan, Armenia in May, 2009. The conference focus was: “The Learner's Perspective -- Adapting Information Services for Today's Students” and was held concurrently with the Association of International Colleges and Universities (AAICU) Conference in Armenia. AMICAL represents 21 institutions of higher education located in 18 countries across Central and Western Europe, West and North Africa, the Middle East, Central Asia, and Russia. The exciting conference featured panel and plenary discussions and a collaborative question and answer session with AAICU campus vice presidents regarding the synergies between libraries and campus administration and an emphasis on “…library, technology and curricular collaboration among AMICAL's uniquely international and American-modelled institutions.” - AMICAL. |
| SPRING
2009 ORIENTATION FOR SA STUDENTS
In order to prepare study abroad students for their semester at ACT, the Office of International Programs organized a three day orientation session including diverse events and information sessions. First off, students were introduced and heard lectures from faculty and the staff responsible for study-abroad and academic issues. Anatolia President Dr. Richard Jackson hosted a lunch for all study-abroad students and staff of the program where the students had the chance to share their expectations and first impressions with the president. The highlight of the orientation for many students was an afternoon scavenger hunt around the city, in which students took pictures of major landmarks, found their way around back alleys, and competed in a competition for the best photos and descriptions of the city and its landmarks. The two winners, Brooke Reed and Jordan Kuglitsch, won a trip to Chalkidiki. |
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| >>Athletics | |
DEREE COLLEGE SPORTS FESTIVAL ACT
participated in the DEREE College Sports Festival: March 11-14 Other institutions, besides ACT and the American College of Greece which participated with two teams (DEREE & JUNIOR Colleges), were the American University of Sharjah (United Arab Emirates), Athens “Polytechneio, “Harokopeio, “Panteio, University of Pireaus, and TEI of Pireaus. DEREE College organized a very successful 3-day tournament and the level of competition was high as a result of the well-trained student body. |
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ACT SPORTS TOURNAMENT The ACT Sports Tournament took place May 7-9, drawing large numbers from Deree College, Junior College, New York College in Athens and Thessaloniki, Anatolia College, the ACT Alumni, Perrotis College of Agricultural Studies, the Department of Phys. Ed. of Aristotle Univ. of Thessaloniki, YMCA (junior girls’ basketball) and “Achilleas Triandrias” (junior girls’ basketball). |
The Aristotle Physical Education department topped the men’s and women’s soccer competition, men’s basketball, and men’s and women’s beach volleyball. ACT was first in women’s basketball, 3rd in women’s soccer, and 4th in men’s soccer and men’s basketball. Finally, the women’s beach volleyball team with ACT Study Abroad students Tripp and Kidder came in second in the women’s beach volleyball competition. Veronica Tserkezis was elected Most Valuable Player for the women’s basketball competition. Finally, we have to acknowledge the presence of the “Volunteers of the Red Cross,” who offered medical assistance throughout the duration of the tournament. |
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TABLE TENNIS COMPETITION The winner in the 2008-09 table tennis competition was Ilir Nikoliqi. Runner-up was Megan Cain in a competition with more than 16 student participants. |
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3-POINT The “3-point” shooting competition took place on Monday, March 30, and the winner was Serge Fessas, member of the ACT men’s basketball team. |
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| >>Social | |
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PHOTOGRAPHY AS A VEHICLE TO EXPLORE GREECE Although many of us have visited the Bissell Library at ACT and have appreciated its architecture, checked the extensive online databases, used the library computers or listened to a lecture in the Niarchos Technology Centre, few may have noticed the 14 black and white photographs by Bob McCabe in display on its walls...(read more) |
ACT GOES TO MYKONOS The trip to Mykonos was overall a very nice experience and an opportunity to escape from everyday routine, by enjoying the sights of a beautiful island, beautiful beaches and an amazing nightlife. This year, 95 students participated in the trip, the largest group so far. |
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Mt. OLYMPUS A group of 35 students visited Mt. Olympus, the mountain of the ancient Greek Gods. For most of them this was a unique experience, as they had to (literally!) reach heights never seen before. The weather was great and everyone reached the summit of Skolio (2.908m) escorted by experienced and certified mountain guides. It was a great moment they will always remember. |
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On Thursday, May 21, Aigli Brouskou accompanied students from her Anthropology 221 (Greek Ethnography) and Music 120 (Greek Music) classes on the annual fieldtrip to Langadas, 20 km outside Thessaloniki, to witness the famous firewalking ritual held every year in honor of Sts. Constantine and Helen. Says Dr. Brouskou, who has taught anthropology at ACT for more than a decade, “This is a unique opportunity for our students to combine study and experience in their exploration and understanding of Greek culture.”...(read the students' reflections) |
BBQ PARTY A BBQ party was organized on April 9 on the patio of the school cafeteria, attracting crowds of students and faculty. The good weather contributed to a fun time, great socializing and sizzling souvlaki and steaks! |
| BISSELL LIBRARY GOES GREEN The Bissell Library initiated our library recycling efforts in May. Selected bins inside and outside the library are now designated and labelled as recycling bins and students have been encouraged in the library and via the ACT Study Abroad newsletter to make a difference and place their recyclables (paper, plastic and glass) in these bins. |
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ATHENS TRIP April 3 - 5 study-abroad students, led by faculty and staff of ACT, went on their annual field trip to Athens. The busy agenda incorporated many interesting and important sites around the city. Students walked around, saw the energetic life of Athens, and used the opportunity to enjoy Athens to the fullest. They also visited the Acropolis, the Temple of Zeus, Plateia Tripodon, Tower of the Winds, the Roman Agora and many more sights. Students commented that the high points were the food, tour guides and excellent weather they had at the Acropolis. At night, the students explored much of the nightlife at local tavernas and clubs. |
VERGINA TRIP On February 6, study abroad students were taken to the ancient Macedonian capital of Vergina. The royal tombs of King Philip the Second’s family (Alexander the Great excluded) gave the students a privilege to not only learn about the history of this important Macedonian nexus, but to also reflect on the importance it has in modern Greek culture. The students, many of them for the first time, visited an ancient site by descending into the earth to discover the lavish tombs of the royal family. At the exit of the tombs and during lunch, students discussed their powerful impressions of the well-preserved necropolis. |
| Upcoming Events |
COMMENCEMENT 2009 The 26th ACT Commencement was held on Wednesday, June 24, at Raphael Hall. A special issue of vision focused on this event will follow in early July. |
| Announcements | |
SUMMER SESSION Summer session 2009 started on Monday, June 23, and ends on Monday, July 20. Students may make any changes in their class schedule by Tuesday, June 24, and may drop a course by Thursday, July 2. |
STUDY ABROAD: SUMMER 2009 A total of 46 U.S. study-abroad students are currently attending the summer session, adding significantly to the cultural diversity of the ACT student body. Study-abroad students participated in a two-day comprehensive orientation (June 19-20), which also included a trip to Vergina to visit the tombs of the ancient Macedonian kings. |
NEW! BISSELL LIBRARIAN LIAISONS During the spring 2009 semester the Bissell Library reached out to department chairs and faculty with a librarian liaison service. Librarian liaisons are now assigned to each department chair and Department faculty:
Each Bissell librarian liaison will work with a department chair and reach out to ACT faculty and inform them of new library and research resources including books, e-book (electric books), media (DVDs, etc.), relevant Websites, databases, articles and more, and will create Library and research guides tailored for their subject areas. ACT Bissell Library liaison outreach also includes database and Internet searching and library orientations designed for faculty and for their classes. |
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| SUMMER
2009 BISSELL LIBRARY SCHEDULE
The Bissell Library summer hours will reflect the Bissell Library Goes Green energy conservation initiative:
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| Chairs' Corner | |||
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Dr. Nikolaos Kourkoumelis |
Dr. Panos
Vlachos Dean of Faculty and Information Technology & Chair, Tech and Sciences Division pvla@act.edu |
Dr. David Wisner |
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Dr. MIRANDA XAFA RETURNS TO ACT Dr. Miranda Xafa, Alternate Executive Director of the board of the International Monetary Fund, returned to the American College of Thessaloniki on May 11 as a guest lecturer. This was her third visit to address business students on current global issues. This year, she spoke to over 100 business students, professors, and business leaders concerning "The Role of the IMF in the Global Financial Crisis.” Dr. Xafa spoke about the severity of the global economic recession. According to Dr Xafa, a modest turnaround is expected with the policy stimulus packages; however a defining feature of the crisis is the heightened uncertainty. Recovery prospects will be based on a slow improvement of the financial system, a stabilization of housing prices, and an effective fiscal stimulus. |
Another
academic year has come to a successful conclusion and it is again time
to reflect on what has been accomplished
and what needs to be done in the near future. |
Thanks largely to the efforts of Drs. Kyriakidou and Brouskou ACT hosted a series of Dukakis Chair events on campus under the theme “Perspectives on Greece and Greeks in Modern Times” from March 18-April 7, 2009. The events included readings by author Thea Halo from her book Not Even My Name on March 18; a presentation by filmmaker Stavros Psillakis and screening of his documentary film “There Was No Other Way” on March 23 (co-organized by the ACT Office of International Programs with the collaboration of the International Documentary Film Festival of Thessaloniki); Dukakis lectures by Margaret Kenna, University of Wales at Swansea (Emeritus), “Studying Political Exiles at the Time of Metaxas: How an Anthropologist Became a Historian,” and Philip Carabott, King’s College London, “Stances and Responses of ‘the’ Greek Orthodox Society to the Persecution of ‘Its’ Jewish Fellow-Citizens During the German Occupation,” March 30 and April 6, respectively; and a presentation by Armen Marsoobian, Southern Connecticut State University, of a rare collection of photographs of Anatolia College in Merzifon on April 7. |
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| Faculty News | |
PRESENTATIONS/ PUBLICATIONS/ SPEECHES/ RESEARCH PROJECTS Dr. Linda Manney On March 14, 2009, Linda Manney co-presented a paper at the TESOL Greece 30th Annual Convention in Athens, Greece. In her talk, entitled “The Power of a Good Story: Past, Present, and Future,” Dr. Manney summarized current research on theory and method of second language reading instruction, and then demonstrated a number of classroom activities which apply key theoretical principles to develop second language literacy skills. Dr. Manney’s paper “Popular World Music and Global English: Multiple Traditions in New Locations,” has been accepted for publication by Peter Lang Publishing in the Proceedings of the International Conference on Global English, University of Verona, Verona, Italy, February 14-16, 2008. |
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Drs. Aigli Brouskou, Maria Kyriakidou, Anna Maria Konsta and Serap Kayatekin Maria Kyriakidou Aigli Brouskou, Serap Kayatekin, and Anna Maria Konsta presented the outcomes of their research project entitled “Research on Women Migrants in Thessaloniki: An Interdisciplinary Approach and its Perspectives” at the one-day workshop “Gendered Dimensions of Migration: Politics, Work and Experiences,” organized by the Committee on Gender Equality of Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, at the Tellogleion Institute of Art on Friday, May 15, 2009. |
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Tatiana Tairi took part in the Sixth Panhellenic Congress of Child Psychiatry in Athens on May 15-17, 2009, with a presentation entitled “Family and Psychosocial Characteristics of Adolescents with Suicide Attempts.” Dr. Tairi has been invited to present a paper on “Case Study of a Young Woman Suffering from Depression from a Cognitive Behavioural Perspective,” at a conference in Thessaloniki on “Counseling in Practice,” organized by the Society of Social Exclusion and Mental Health, on May 27, 2009. |
RETURN TO THE BALKANS In May 2009, ACT instructors Vincent Mueller and David Wisner returned to Skopje to take part in events co-sponsored by the Konrad Adenauer Foundation of Skopje. Dr. Wisner was invited to address a conference commemorating the 20th anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall on the topic of “American Foreign Policy Under President Obama: 20 Years After the End of the Cold War.” The conference was co-sponsored by Forum Magazine and featured foreign ministers past and present from the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, along with representatives of the German government. Dr. Muller spoke at the annual meeting of the Borjan Tanevski Memorial Fund, at which students from universities in Greece and the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia joined with their ACT counterparts in a discussion on the effects of the global financial crisis in Southeast Europe. The Tanevski Fund was created to commemorate the death in 2003 of ACT alumnus Borjan Tanevski, who passed away within six months of his graduation from a rare form of bone cancer. Tanevski Fund events at ACT are co-sponsored by ACT’s Lucy Center for Balkan Studies. |
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Careerwire >> Contributed by Lena Giakoumopoulou, Career Services Director, 2310 398 202, lenag@act.edu | |||||||||||||||||||
| ACT CAREER FAIR The ACT Career Fair 2009 came to a successful close this year. Beginning on Tuesday, April 7 and ending on Friday, April 10, 2008, the ACT Career Fair brought a total of 18 businesses to the Bissell Library from the local Thessaloniki area, as well as from Bulgaria. Forty potential candidates for positions participated in over 180 interviews conducted over the course of four days. The applicants were juniors, seniors, alumni, MBA alumni. Once again, the event served its purpose of giving participants the opportunity to interview with reputable area businesses in the Group Study rooms of the Bissell Library. Additionally, it served to strengthen ties between ACT and the business community. Many company representatives pointed out that they were even more impressed this year with the high caliber of ACT students and alumni participating in the event. In fact, a number of candidates were asked to return to the company for a second interview, with others being offered the possibility of future employment. In its endeavor to offer encouragement and career guidance to its graduates, ACT’s Business Liaison Career Services Office develops and maintains strong ties with business establishments and industry in northern Greece. For further information, please feel free to contact Ms. Elena Charalabides, Business Liaison Career Services Officer, at (2310) 398.202. |
The businesses participating in this year’s successful event:
* Please note that those businesses by an asterisk were represented with an Anatolia/ACT alum. |
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| There’s no time like the present to get a jump start on your career. More details in the next issue. | |||||||||||||||||||
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Alumni
Association News |
ACT ALUMNI ASSOCIATION |
ACT
Alumni Board members presenting the Report ACT Alumni Board (2009 – 2011) (read more)
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