Dukakis Center hosts book presentation on the Greek image of the United States
The Dukakis Center hosted its final event of the 2025 calendar year on Friday, December 19, with a stirring presentation of The Greek Vision of the United States of America, from the Greek Revolution to World War I (Το όραμα των Ελλήνων για τις Ηνωμένες Πολιτείες της Αμερικής), by Kostas Diogos, an independent scholar based in Serres.
A star-studded panel of scholars offered their impressions on Dr. Diogos’ book, the text of which is an abridged and edited version of his doctoral dissertation at Aristotle University of Thessaloniki. George Kalogeras, Nikos Marantzidis, and Anatolia University’s own Christos Aliprantis all took turns offering commentary on the merits of the book. The panel was moderated by Professor Basil Gounaris, who had served as Dr. Diogos’ Ph.D. advisor.
The event was co-sponsored by the Foundation of the Museum of the Macedonian Struggle and Alexandreia Publishers, with the participation of AHEPA Hellas, and the YMCA of Thessaloniki. The event was notable insofar as Dr. Aliprantis featured as a peer of his colleagues from Aristotle University and the University of Macedonia.
David WIsner, the founding Director of the Dukakis Center, opened the proceedings with a brief overview of the Dukakis Center’s 25 years, and, in keeping with the theme of Kostas Diogos’ book, a portrayal of the America which has been represented by the scores of expatriate Americans who have distinguished themselves in service of Anatolia College since its establishment.
Professor Wisner paid tribute in passing to former Anatolia Presidents William McGrew and Richard Jackson, who had played fundamental roles in the early days of the Dukakis Center. Wisner also noted that Kostas Diogos embodied the Center’s ethos of public service perfectly, in his dedication to extracurricular teaching and independent scholarship.
The Michael and Kitty Dukakis Center for Public and Humanitarian Service was launched in September 1999 to celebrate the accomplishments and public service ethos of three-term Massachusetts Governor Michael Dukakis, the 1988 Democratic Presidential Nominee. Since its inception, the mission of the Center has been to inspire young citizens from Greece and the United States to take an active interest in public affairs.
Under the direction of Professor Wisner, the Dukakis Center has organized and/or hosted nearly 300 public events in Thessaloniki, Athens, and further afield. The Center celebrated its Silver Jubilee season of public service initiatives in 2024-25.
