On February 13, 2020, CYA honored the memory of Ismene Phylactopoulou, its founder, at its annual Founder’s Day event. Ismene’s resilient and innovative spirit enabled her to achieve her goals, making her an “example of female emancipation and a role model for young women,” as President Phylactopoulos stated in his speech. At the event, memories of Ismene and CYA’s past were shared among faculty, staff, and alumni.

CYA President Alexis Phylactopoulos speaks to CYA alumni, faculty, and staff.

The night served as a reflection on CYA’s history and the dedication of its staff and faculty, as well as an opportunity to consider the exciting future of CYA. Although CYA’s inspiring past and promising future were highlights of the celebration, President Phylactopoulos also stressed its present: “CYA today has what it had back in 1962: great people that work with passion, with the feeling that CYA belongs to them because come to think of it, it does. CYA is its people, its faculty, its administration, its staff. Without them, without you, CYA is nothing.”

CYA professor Nanno Marinatos gives a speech on CYA’s past and present to guests at the event.

Thank you to all who attended and shared memories at the moving occasion!

You can find the entirety of President Phylactopoulos’ speech here, and more photos from the wonderful event are featured below.

Celebrating CYA professor Marinetta Papahimona’s birthday; Popi Baloglu, Director of Housing and Catering, presented the cake!

Former CYA professor Mimika Dimitra and Nadia Meliniotis, CYA Executive Director of Student Affairs.