The PanHellenic Scholarship Foundation hosts a record-breaking 2024 Awards Ceremony & Gala Weekend!

The PanHellenic Scholarship Foundation was proud to successfully welcome a record-breaking 750 guests to Chicago to recognize 56 exceptional scholarship recipients of Hellenic descent, while awarding $350,000 in scholarships, honoring 1 Paradigm Award recipient, welcoming 15 industry-leading mentors, and continuing to further the Foundation’s mission of going “Beyond A Scholarship.”

WELCOME RECEPTION

The PanHellenic Gala Weekend began on June 14th, 2024, with a Welcome Reception hosted at Holland & Knight, graciously sponsored by Elias N. Matsakis, Esq., the Foundation’s pro bono legal counsel. The Welcome Reception provided an opportunity for the scholarship recipients, alumni, Board of Directors, Advisory Board, and Academic Committee Members to get to know one another ahead of the weekend’s events. The reception featured a warm welcome by Trustee Tom Sotos, who gave a heartfelt tribute to the PanHellenic Scholarship Foundation’s Founder, Chris Tomaras, and encouraged new recipients to stay involved with the Foundation as they continue with their studies and careers.

MENTORSHIP LUNCHEON

On the afternoon of June 15th, 2024, over 160 attendees, consisting of current scholarship recipients, PanHellenic alumni, industry-leading mentors, and young professionals, participated in the 8th Annual Mentorship Luncheon, held in partnership with The Hellenic Initiative, and generously underwritten by Nicholas W. Alexos. The luncheon provided an intimate setting for participants to receive career advice and guidance from 15 mentors who are leaders in their fields – ranging from business, law, medicine, finance, entrepreneurship, and more. A panel discussion followed, where participants heard from select mentors representing various industries. This year’s Mentorship Luncheon panelists were: Tom Demetrio, Esq., Co-Founder of Corboy & Demetrio; Katerina Glyptis, President of Tim Hortons U.S. and a PanHellenic Scholarship Alumni; Nadia Kountoures, Boeing 737 First Officer and Pilot Instructor at United Airlines; Dr. Leon Platanias, Director of Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center and Associate Vice President for Cancer Programs at Northwestern University; Alex Saratsis, Co-Managing Director at Octagon Basketball (represents many NBA players, including Giannis Antetokounmpo); and Tom Souleles, Co-CEO of Madison Dearborn Partners.

AWARDS CEREMONY & GALA

The weekend culminated with the 2024 Awards Ceremony & Gala. The Gala was emceed by NBC Chicago Anchors Kate Chappell and Alex Maragos.

Trustee John Manos and Board of Directors member, Eunice Buhler, announced the incredible PanHellenic Scholarship Foundation’s Class of 2024, which were awarded over $350,000 in scholarships.

The Leadership Fellowship recipients, sponsored by The Renaissance Fund, were brought back to receive their renewable scholarship. The 2022 Leadership Fellows, Helen Georgitsos, Zoe Pozios, and Alexia Maniadaki were brought up to accept their third and final scholarship check; and the 2023 Leadership Fellows: Christopher Alexopoulos, Andreana Kekempanos, Emma Robinson, and Andrew Theophanous accepted their second check.

During the ceremony, the Foundation honored 3 Board Member Emeriti, for their many years of guidance and devotion to the mission of the PanHellenic Scholarship Foundation. Tassos F. Chronopoulos, John W. Galanis, and Demetri L. Kozonis were recognized on stage by current Trustees and Board members.

Tim Tassopoulos, Retired President and Chief Operating Office of Chick-fil-A, was awarded the 2024 Paradigm Award. In his speech to the 2024 scholarship recipients, Mr. Tassopoulos reflected on his years at Chick-Fil-A, working his way up from an hourly employee to President. He was only 24 when he was asked to step up, and he did, showing that it’s not too early, or too late, to have an impact on your life trajectory. Mr. Tassopoulos encouraged the students to prioritize excellence over success because the former is in your control.

The Chairman of the Foundation, Robert A. Buhler, delivered his remarks during the Awards Ceremony, highlighting how the Foundation proudly upholds the legacy of its founder, Chris Tomaras. Over the past nine years, the Foundation has doubled the number of scholarships awarded, proudly granting 389 scholarships totaling $2,469,000. Since its inception, the Foundation has awarded 713 scholarships amounting to $4,796,000. Additionally, since 2015, the Foundation has expanded its offerings, which now include a larger Scholarship Society, ongoing Mentorship Luncheons, learning initiatives, and professional development opportunities through internships and networking events.

The Awards Ceremony was followed by a cocktail hour and seated dinner. The night concluded with dancing and live entertainment provided by the Mylos Band of New York.