Dr. Chrysostomos L. “Max” Nikias, Cypriot-American and President of the University of Southern California, will be honored at the 2016 Testimonial Dinner of the Federation of Cypriot American Organizations which will take place on Friday, September 23rd, 2016, 7:00 pm at Terrace on the Park. The annual testimonial dinner organized by the FCAO—the leading organization dedicated to the promotion of Greek Cypriot cultural heritage in the United States—will be co-chaired by His Excellency Mr. Nicos Anastasiades, President of the Republic of Cyprus, and His Eminence Archbishop Demetrios Primate of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America.
Born near Famagusta, Cyprus, FCAO Honoree Dr. C. L. “Max”. Nikias became the University of Southern California’s 11th president in 2010. In addition to this role, he holds faculty appointments in both electrical engineering and the classics, chairs the USC Health System Board and teaches an undergraduate course on the democratic culture of ancient Athens. During Dr. Nikias’ tenure as president, USC has emerged as a global research university of undisputed academically-elite status, with a transformative, world-class faculty and richly diverse student body.
Kyriakos Papastylianou, President of the Federation of Cypriot American Organizations (FCAO), stated, “Dr. Nikias is one of America’s pre-eminent Greek Cypriot Ambassadors. He has been fascinated by the richness of classical Greek civilization from a young age and has been guided throughout his academic and private life by the democratic ideals enshrined in western civilization. Dr. Nikias is a proud Hellene and in his capacity as President of USC, exemplifies the best of the classical Greek spirit while charting a bold path for one the world’s most prestigious academic institutions.”
“Throughout my upbringing in Famagusta, my parents placed a high value on education, allowing me to immerse myself in the sciences as well as in Greco-Roman classics, theater and history,” said Dr. Nikias. “I take great pride in my roots and am tremendously honored as a Cypriot-American to receive this prestigious award, which serves as an important reminder of the many ways in which my heritage shapes and defines me to this day.”
Dr. Nikias’ academic awards and distinctions are almost too numerous to mention. He is a member of the National Academy of Engineering, a fellow of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, a charter fellow of the National Academy of Inventors (NAI), an associate member of the Academy of Athens, and a fellow of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) and the American Association for the Advancement of Science.
He was awarded the Aristeia medal, the Republic of Cyprus' highest honor in the letters, arts, and sciences and is an Archon of the Ecumenical Patriarchate. In addition, he has been the recipient of the Carnegie Corporation’s Academic Leadership Award, the Ellis Island Medal of Honor, the UNICEF Spirit of Compassion Award, the Woodrow Wilson Award for Public Service, the IEEE Simon Ramo Medal, and the State University of New York at Buffalo’s Distinguished Alumni Award. He holds honorary doctorates from his alma mater, the National Technical University of Athens; Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion; the University of Cyprus; University of Crete and the University of Piraeus in Greece.
Dr. Nikias lives in San Marino, CA with his wife, Niki C. Nikias, who is also from Famagusta. They have two daughters, Georgiana and Maria.
The Annual Testimonial Dinner of the Federation of Cypriot American Organizations is held every September in New York. Past honorees have included Michael and Mary Jaharis and Mr. George David, for their dedication to Hellenism, Orthodoxy, humanity and philanthropy. American Jewish Council for its advocacy in the United States and abroad for the restoration of the human rights of the people of Cyprus; and Senator Charles Schumer (D-NY) for his ongoing efforts to achieve a just and viable solution to the Cyprus problem.
For more information please contact Tasoula Manaridis (718) 440-8799 or e-mail: info@fcaousa.org
