Foundation Expands Its Support for Modern Greek at Michigan

The Foundation of Modern Greek Studies (FMGS) has entered a new gift agreement with the University of Michigan to help the Modern Greek Program expand its curriculum and meet increasing student needs for more courses and graduate degrees in modern Greek language, culture, and history.

This is the third gift agreement between the Foundation and the University, following the endowment of the C. P Cavafy Professorship (1999) and the annual commitment to provide support for student scholarships and funding for cultural events (2004).

The FMGS’ new gift agreement has established a new Fund at Michigan which can be used along with additional contributions by charitable organizations and individuals to support annually visiting scholars in Modern Greek history and culture. Thus, the Fund will provide additional scholarly resources to the University and aid in stimulating interest for the establishment of a second endowed professorship in Modern Greek History and Culture.

As part of its outreach activities, the Foundation for Modern Greek Studies held recently a Rebetiko Taverna Night at St. George Cultural Center in Bloomfield Hills, MI. It was an extraordinary evening with Greek food, wine, and music by the famous Rebetiki Istoria Band from Athens, Greece, who were invited by the University for two events, a concert at the School of Music on Saturday night and the Taverna Night on Sunday. Both events were sellouts (total attendance for the two nights of over 800) and audiences were delighted by the Rebetiki performances, their first in the U.S.

Professors Vassilis Lambropoulos and Artemis Leontis gave informative presentations at the Sunday event on behalf of the Program, and George Reganis on behalf of the Foundation. Following the presentations, the Board of Directors of FMGS presented to the Professors a signed copy of the Foundations’ third gift agreement for Modern Greek Studies with the University.

For more than ten years, the Foundation has been working in harmony with the University of Michigan, making considerable progress as it pursues its mission to support the Modern Greek Program as a world-class center for the study of Modern Greek Language, Culture and History. On average, each year enrollments in Modern Greek courses reach 400 students, and in all Greek courses 2500 students. The Foundation is grateful to the Hellenic community for its continuing support and enthusiasm for the Modern Greek Program at the University of Michigan.

©2009 NEOCORP MEDIA

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