Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Summer 2010
Issue 165
American Farm School students raising day-old chicks to 30-35 day-old pullets for egg production. Each spring the girls and boys sell local
farmers a total of some 5,000 birds. The pullets grow into laying hens in approximately one year.
The American Farm School
Thessalonica Agricultural & Industrial Institute
From the President
American Farm School
I
Dimitris Perrotis College t is a great privilege to join the company of presidents of
Marinou Antipa 12, Post Office Box 23
GR-55102 Thessaloniki, Greece
this exceptional institution, and to be challenged, as all
Tel +30-2310-492-700 of them were, by the task of leading students, staff and
Fax +30-2310-492-710 supporters into a secure and dynamic future.
info@afs.edu.gr
U.S. Office I am indebted to the Board of Trustees for the faith it has
1133 Broadway, Suite 1226 invested in me. In the short time I have served to date, I have
New York, NY 10010
Tel +1-212-463-8434
already been rewarded with the enthusiasm voiced by Board
Fax +1-212-463-8208 members and staff, as well as by donors and friends of the
usoffice@amerfarm.org American Farm School and Perrotis College, who have reacted
www.afs.edu.gr
positively to the ideas and directions I have placed before them.
TheSower
As we move forward, you will be reading in more detail about strategic initiatives designed to
help the School better meet contemporary educational demands and to build creatively for
Published semi-annually for friends and
the future. Two examples of such initiatives are illustrated by topics that appear in this Sower
contributors to the institution. issue: capitalizing on the American character of the institution to strengthen the opportuni-
ties we offer young people to achieve excellence; and the School’s being recognized as the
Chairman of the Board of Trustees regional forerunner in agricultural and life science research. I hope you will enjoy reading
Charlotte P. Armstrong
about the outstanding American interns who are mentoring our students; our graduates
Vice Chairman
Stavros Constantinides
who are completing Ph.D.s in the U.S.; and the agreement the School recently signed with
John R. Crunkilton the United States Department of Agriculture’s Agricultural
William A. Tsacalis Research Service to undertake projects of mutual scientific
Secretary interest. Other developments that harmonize with our It is a great
privilege to join
Sharon W. Vaino strategic initiative of making the School a more technologi-
Treasurer cally advanced institution include offering a specialized cur-
Barbara K. Heming
Trustees
riculum in the Secondary School for Milk Processing and the company of
Cheese Making; newly equipped laboratories for Chemistry
David G. Acker
George P. Argerakis and Biology; and the use of interactive electronic boards in presidents of
Sheila Baird
Peter Bien
an increasing number of our classrooms.
this exceptional
The Sower news also includes the opening of the new
institution, and
Frank Bledjian
John H.Cleave
Joannie C. Danielides
Educational Dairy and Milk Processing Training Center, a
Constantine N. Darras
Spyros Dessyllas
modern facility that extends the School’s historic leadership
position in dairy science and is the result of multiyear invest-
to be challenged,
Christos S. Folias
Seth E. Frank
ment from private and public funders on both sides of the as all of them
Dimitri Gondicas
Constantinos Hadjiyannakis
Atlantic. In her commencement ceremony address this June
to the recipients of the first BSc (Hons) degrees awarded were, by the
Truda C. Jewett
Lydia Legakis
by the Dimitris Perrotis College of Agricultural Studies,
benefactress Mrs. Aliki Perroti spoke of the new residence
task of leading
students, staff
Annie Levis
Pantelis Panteliades hall she has endowed that greatly enhances our capacity
Anastasia Pappas
Joel S. Post
Gail D. Schoppert
to accommodate the College’s international student body
on campus, giving them the benefit of an American-style and supporters
Manita R. Scocimara
Judson R. Shaver
residential college experience. Few educational institutions
are in the extraordinary situation to have realized two such
into a secure and
Charles L. Thomas, Jr.
President
major improvements to infrastructure in today’s lean global dynamic future.
Panos Kanellis economy. For this we are immensely grateful.
Vice President for Institutional Advancement The most noteworthy feature in this Sower issue, however, is the entire roster of donors to
Joann Ryding-Beltes
the Annual Fund in the United States for the previous fiscal year, and a summary of those
Vice President for Academic and Student Affairs
Tasos Apostolides
who gave in Greece during the same period. To the loyal supporters of the American Farm
School and Perrotis College who make our work possible, and help to provide our students
Vice President for Administration and Finance
John Ziambras with the educational opportunities they so deserve, we are profoundly thankful.
Communications Director
Randall Warner
Charlotte P. Armstrong
Chairman of the Board of Trustees
Guests also enjoyed the photographic exhibit based “Ambassadors come and go, but the American Farm School,
on Brenda Marder’s history of the School, “Stewards serving Greek and Balkan students for over a century, remains
of the Land: The American Farm School and the a strong and visible example of what is best about America,
Development of Modern Greece,” and remarks and does more for U.S. relations abroad than almost any
Stephanie Andrews other kind of investment we could be making in the region.”
by Trustee Peter Bien, former President of the and Patti Dukakis
School, George Draper, and others. American Farm
School alumna from the class of 2006, Marianthi
Karampoukouki, spoke movingly on how the
School prepared her to excel at Mount Holyoke
College, where she graduated in May 2010 with a
double major in Biology and Classics, and to envi- Brenda Marder and
sion her future career in pharmaceutical research. Clotilde Zannetos
Research
related research.
Christos Kolympiris was recently awarded a Doctor
of Philosophy in Agricultural Economics from the The United States Department of Agricul
University of Missouri in Columbia, MO, having suc- ture, through its Agricultural Research
cessfully defended his dissertation entitled “Three Essays Service, has signed a Memorandum of
on Location Aspects in Biotechnology Entrepreneurship.” Understanding (MOU) with the American
After earning the Perrotis College Associate Degree, he Farm School to conduct and coordinate
completed his BSc at the University of Arkansas, as well sustainable agricultural research on topics
as an MSc in Agricultural Economics there with “An of mutual interest. Areas of investigation
Optimization Model for Winery Capacity Use” as his include crop and animal production and
thesis topic. protection, as well as agricultural utilization
He was drawn to the University of Missouri with a fully
paid research assistantship that has focused on the role of
universities in affecting entrepreneurial outcomes in the
biotechnology industry. Christos explains, “I do research
that is informative on practical matters that can really help
people…The field invites the researcher to employ ideas, techniques and methods from dif-
ferent sources.” He is now engaged in postdoctoral research into regional welfare brought
about through start-ups of local biotechnology firms, and forces that affect market outcomes
for GMO products.
Alexandros Doukopoulos is a researcher at Auburn University in Auburn, AL, in the area
of Plant Breeding and Genetics. For the Ph.D. dissertation he plans to defend in December
2010, Alexandros has worked on the evaluation and adaptation of a legume species called
Sunn hemp (Crotalaria juncea), pictured in Front row: Catherine E. Kay, Dr. Daniel
the photo. This has entailed constructing Strickman, Dr. Panos Kanellis
experimental designs, managing the field and Back row: Farm Director Dr. Athanasios
Giamoustaris, Vice President Joann Ryding,
growth-chamber experiments, and perform- Javid Kashefi, Head of Lifelong Learning
ing statistical analysis of the collected data. and Coordinator of Research Activities Dr.
Evangelos Vergos.
His Associate Degree studies at Perrotis
College set Alexandros on a firm path to and bioenergy. The document was signed
higher studies in plant science. His BSc in Thessaloniki on March 1 by Dr. Panos
degree in Crop Management completed at Kanellis and Dr. Daniel Strickman, leader
the University of Arkansas was followed by an of the National Program for Agricultural
MSc in Molecular Biology in the Department Research Service, Veterinary and Medical
of Crop, Soil and Environmental Sciences, and Urban Entomology at USDA, and wit-
nessed by U.S. Consul General Catherine
with the thesis “Phylogenetic Analysis of Cotton (Gossypium hirsutum) from the Caribbean
E. Kay. The School looks forward to this
Basin and Florida.” In 2006, the Department of Agronomy and Soils at Auburn University
long-term partnership through coopera-
awarded him a full research assistantship to pursue his Ph.D.
tion with research specialists based at
Alexandros feels his graduate studies in the United States have made him highly qualified public and private universities and science
for employment in “research positions in academia and industry, regardless of the country.” institutes throughout the United States.
Christos Kolympiris believes that future graduates of Perrotis College can learn from the The USDA Agricultural Research Service
positive experience of his decision to earn the highest degree possible in his field of study and operates a satellite laboratory of its main
commit to a career in research. He further stresses that, “Regardless of career objective, I would European Biological Control Laboratory
strongly advise students to take on graduate studies outside their country of birth. Besides the in Montpelier, France, in facilities located
straightforward educational benefits, doing graduate studies in another country helped me on the American Farm School campus, and
develop as a personality, and I think most students can realize the same benefits as I did.” headed by entomologist Javid Kashefi.
METAMORPHOSIS SOCIETY
The Metamorphosis Society recognizes and honors the generosity
and foresight of those individuals who have made provisions in
their estates to include the American Farm School, and who have
apprised the School of their intentions. The name “Metamorphosis”
is chosen for the resonance this word has in the School’s tradition
of education that brings about positive change, or metamorphosis,
in the individual; and by association with the titles of books by
Bruce M. Lansdale, Metamorphosis: Why Do I Love Greece? and by
Elizabeth Lansdale, My Metamorphosis.
Deborah Androus, left, pictured with Catherina Diafa, center,
David Acker and Trustee Manita Scocimara during Morning Assembly of
Secondary School students in James Hall.
Charlotte Armstrong
Peter Bien
Mr. and Mrs. C. W. Carson Jr. The generous new commitment of funds by the Androus
Marvin Fisher Foundation establishes the Arcadia Program, named after
Phillip G. and Mary Foote the region in the Peloponnese where Mrs. Androus’ family
Truda Jewett originates, and bestowing on the effort the affirmative con-
Edmund and Mary Keeley notation the word “arcadia” implies. As of 2010, students
Lois Kerimis who are in need of support to contend with and overcome
Bruce M. and Elizabeth (Tad) Lansdale learning disabilities from all three years of the Secondary
Mary R. and Charles F. Lowrey School’s educational programs will be helped.
Nicholas Pisaris
Charles L. and Joan Thomas
Barbara Wood
During my ten months in Thessa When I was given the news last
loniki, the American Farm School year that I was accepted to intern
has become much more than a at the American Farm School, I
place of employment; it has become was struck with many different
my second home. Committing to emotions. I was to travel half
live and work 10,000 kilometers way around the world, live ten
from home is a daunting task, months in a place I had never
however the family atmosphere been, try to understand the lan
at AFS was undeniable from the guage and then communicate my
moment arrived on campus. I am English skills with the students. I
grateful to have been welcomed made my journey with hopes of
into this community with open helping this AFS community and
arms. The unique environment at to learn as much as I could about
AFS produces a special experience the Greek culture.
for students, staff, and anyone who comes to know the
As my time here has past I have many memories that
school even for a short period of time; my year at AFS
will never leave my heart. Not only did the AFS
was no exception.
family accept me with warm smiles and open arms
My personal odyssey at the American Farm School has they also taught me how to grow and I am forever
been life changing and profoundly educational; I hope grateful for this. Working with the students every day
my relationship with AFS has been reciprocal and has taught me patience, understanding and how to
my presence has enriched the overall experience for live life with happiness. The AFS staff has gone out
others. My involvement with the secondary school and of their way with any issues or help that I needed
Perrotis College has heightened my understanding of and that alone shows how kind and humble their
the world at-large. Every day spent at the American hearts are. My time here at The American Farm
Farm School bolsters my belief in the innate goodness School has opened my eyes to a new form of respect
of humankind. My interaction with the students and for education. AFS creates such a unique and special
exposure to their contagious energy has unlocked in environment for students to learn. AFS, thank you
me a renewed enthusiasm for life. The warmth of the for all of the great memories. I will never forget such
AFS staff has redefined my definition of hospitality, a wonderful place and family.
and I am eager to return the favor in my reception of — Emily Schneider
others. Immersion in Greek culture has reminded me
to celebrate life on a daily basis.
— Jacques Edeline
Vered Yakovee, attorney and graduate of University of Southern also be devoted to enhancing Secondary School students’ written
California Law School in Los Angeles, spent the 2009-2010 aca- and spoken English skills, using her extensive experience in oratory
demic year in a similar role, mentoring and serving as a role model and other speech and debate coaching. Matthew Hartman from
for students of Perrotis College. Havre, Montana will join the other Americans from September
through December, serving as this year’s International Four H
For academic year 2010-2011, the Secondary School welcomes Exchange Program Ambassador to the Secondary School. And
Carrie Rosenblum from Dartmouth College in New Hampshire Perrotis College welcomes Ashley Douglas from the University of
and Micah Smith from Berea College in Kentucky as Student Life Florida who will be engaged in strengthening English language skills
Interns. Kate Peterson, a Fulbright Foundation English Teaching of, and sharing aspects of American culture with, that international
Assistant recently graduated from Linfield College in Oregon will student body.
The wonderful people of Mikro Dasos in the prefecture of Kilkis hosted Greek
Summer 2010, where participants built and landscaped a small outdoor
amphitheater next to the village cultural center. Kira Tolla (GSC ’07, ’08) was
the Head Counselor and Judy McGinley (GS ’96) and Sam Cuthell (GS ’06)
were Counselors. Campus-based staff included Thanos Kasapidis, Kyriakos
Anthoulakis, Klearchos Papacontantinou, and Rena Karypidou.
Tad Lansdale’s tender memoir, My Metamorphosis, recalling hers and her husband Bruce
Lansdale’s lifetime of devotion to the American Farm School and to Greece, was recently
published in Greek translation. Mrs. Lansdale made several appearances to inform audiences
about the book and to autograph copies, including at the Alumni Reunions for the Classes
of 1960, 1970, 1980, 1990 and 2000 held on campus in May. She is pictured here, left
to right, with graduates and staff members Babis Simeonides, Thanos Kasapidis, Nikos
Papaconstantinou, Stephanos Kessides, and Sotiris Yalamas; and flanked by students Kostas
Malakides and Dimitra Hina. Tad will be autographing copies of the English edition of My
Metamorphosis and Metamorphosis at the “Celebrate 40 Years of Greek Summer” events.