Platsis Symposium
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The Platsis Symposium is a commission of "The Arthur and Mary Platsis Endowment". The purpose of the Endowment is to enhance Classical and Modern Greek Studies at the University of Michigan Ann Arbor. The Platsis Endowment Fund works collaboratively with the activities of the C.P. Cavafy Professorship in Modern Greek.
[edit] Purpose
The symposia will discuss the values and virtues associated with the Greek Classical tradition such as the relentless pursuit of excellence, moderation, idealism, self-knowledge, rationalism, endless curiosity, freedom and individualism. The Endowment fund will sponsor annual symposia and award prizes to contestants for original work relating to the Greek legacy.
[edit] History
With a gift of 250,000, George Platsis created this endowment for the remembrance of the spirit of his parents, Arthur and Mary Platsis, both immigrants from the island of Crete. They exemplified the finest traditions of modern Hellenism, including hard work, service to their adopted homeland, and a commitment to education. Arthur Platsis demonstrated his devotion to the United States by proudly volunteering for military service with the 32nd Michigan Infantry in World War I. Upon his return, he served as head chef at the American Legion Hospital in Battle Creek, Michigan that cared for veterans who suffered the effects of poison attacks. Like many immigrants Arthur Platsis labored to support not only himself but also family members in Greece: he helped accumulate dowries for his four sisters. Mary Platsis also demonstrated her desire for serving others through volunteering for the American Red Cross, founding the Battle Creek Friends of Greece during World War II that shipped clothes to her war-torn homeland and providing relief to the orphanages of Kandanos and Sougia, the village of her grandfather, from 1945—1947 under the United Nations Relief and Reconstruction Act. Both valued higher education and with their support and encouragement, all their children and grandchildren earned university degrees.
