Lifetime Learners, Future Leaders: Celebrating the 2024 Graduate Class of Alba & Deree

On Friday, June 28, 2024, The American College of Greece celebrated the commencement ceremonies for both the Alba Graduate Business School and the Deree School of Graduate and Professional Education’s Class of 2024. This momentous event coincided with ACG’s significant historical and legislative milestones. The College not only commemorated its centennial in Greece but is approaching its 150th year since its founding in Smyrna in 1875. These celebrations serve as a testament to ACG’s enduring heritage and its rich legacy in shaping the future of higher education in Greece.

This year’s graduation took on additional significance with Greece’s recent legislative reform allowing the establishment of “non-state, non-profit” universities, an advancement that ACG is poised to leverage to enhance its educational framework. As ACG commemorates its historical resilience and forward-thinking ethos, the 2024 graduates stand as direct beneficiaries and contributors to this enduring legacy and emerge as leaders equipped to navigate and shape the evolving academic and professional landscapes. Through their achievements, ACG continues to demonstrate its role as a beacon of academic excellence and innovation in an ever-changing global landscape.

The new graduates join an extended family of nearly 67,000 ACG alumni from Greece and abroad who carve their bright futureproof career paths. Equipped with the essential skills to spearhead an entrepreneurial, innovative and sustainable future, our 393 master’s degree graduates from 26 countries were awarded degrees in Master of Business Administration (MBA), Master of Science (MSc), and Master of Arts (MA).

Dr. David G. Horner, President of The American College of Greece, gave the welcoming remarks: "Last year was the first year of a combined Alba Graduate Business School and Deree School of Graduate and Professional Education Commencement. This year, we will have the first graduates of the Alba Online MBA program. As our online academic programs expand in the coming years, including through the Global Campus of The American University of Greece in Massachusetts, we expect to see many more online graduates in future Commencements. Whether completing their studies in an online or face-to-face format, we know that those who are here tonight are joined by many others who are cheering our graduates’ success and wishing them the very best for the future."

Ioannis Lallos, the winner of the 2024 Alba Highest Achievement Award, Master of Science in Finance, eloquently summarized the profound impact of the graduates’ educational journey at Alba in his heartfelt address where he emphasized the significant role critical thinking, personal growth, and social responsibility have played during our studies: "Throughout our time at Alba, we have been challenged to think critically, push the boundaries of our understanding, and strive for greatness in all that we do. We have learned that success is not measured simply by our achievements but by the impact we make on the world around us. It is our responsibility to use the knowledge and skills we have acquired to contribute positively to society, to inspire others, and to lead with integrity and compassion. Let’s go forward with courage, passion, and the determination to make a difference. Together, we can shape the world we want to see."

Konstantinos Kostiris, the winner of the 2024 Deree Graduate Highest Achievement Award and the recipient of a Master of Science degree in Data Science, thoughtfully articulated the transition facing the graduates, emphasizing that each end is merely the beginning of another chapter, as the graduates step into new roles equipped to make meaningful impacts!

Annually, ACG bestows honorary degrees on notable figures who are leaders in their respective fields, including academia, arts, politics, and philanthropy. This year, the prestigious Doctorate of Deree – The American College of Greece was conferred upon a trio of remarkable individuals noted for their steadfast commitment and profound impact on society: Paul Alivisatos, President of the University of Chicago; Veronica Antetokounmpo, philanthropist and Director of “The Charles Antetokounmpo Family Foundation”; and Andrew Liveris, former Chairman and CEO of Dow Chemical Company. The 2024 recipients of the Honoris Causa awards exemplify the high caliber of achievement and societal contribution that ACG holds in high esteem, joining a distinguished cadre of 97 prior honorees recognized for their exemplary contributions in their fields.

To the Class of 2024: Our best wishes for your continued success and personal growth. Keep nurturing your curiosity, uphold your social responsibilities, and remember to give back to your communities. Congratulations on your remarkable achievements!