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Johns Hopkins Hellenic Evening & Fundraiser a Great Success

(L-R}Aris Melissaratos, George Petrocheilos, Sen. Paul Sarbanes at the JHU Fundraiser

By Zack Winters

In the midst of Johns Hopkins rush week, fraternities and sororities aren’t the only organizations on campus going Greek. The Hellenic Student Association hosted its first ever Johns Hopkins Hellenic Association Evening Fundraiser tonight. Guests ranged anywhere from politicians to local restaurant owners, and the turnout did not disappoint.

Some distinguished honorary guests included Former Secretary of Business & Econ. Development Aris Melissaratos, Senator Paul Sarbanes, Congresswoman Helen Bentley, Deputy Mayor of Baltimore City Kaliope Parthemos, Former Baltimore County Executive Ted Venetoulis, and Katherine Newman, the Dean of Arts & Sciences at Johns Hopkins University.

The event was put together by the bright HSA President, George Petrocheilos, who is, in fact, likely more connected than most professionals.

“Who doesn’t know George?” Katherine Newman, Dean of Arts & Sciences at Johns Hopkins asks.
“This kid knows everyone,” says Aris Melissaratos, Senior Adviser to the Johns Hopkins President and Former Secretary of Business and Economic Development in Maryland. ‘He is just amazing! The greatest networker I ‘ve ever met’’, he continues.

“It’s nice to see political folks come out, but I also like to see the young kids thriving here. You can see their presence and leadership skills. There’s a good cross section of people here.”

And indeed, there were so many people present that it was difficult to move around and access the seemingly endless array of Greek food spread out in the kitchen. The host of the night, Mr. Michael Kosmas, never lightened up on supplying the food. Every third person had a cocktail in his or her hand. It was a perfect mix of serious and social.
“What a collection of people,” comments Dean Newman. She says that before becoming familiar with HSA she “wasn’t aware there was such a large Greek community.”

“America is a cultural mosaic,” says Aris Melissaratos. “The more each culture stays true to itself, the richer the mosaic becomes.” HSA was certainly doing its part tonight.

When the HSA Vice-President Neil Vranis, President George Petrocheilos and some of the distinguished guests made their speeches, it was to tremendous and hearty applause. Even mentioning the names of most of the guests got a positive response from the audience. This above all else was evidence of the event’s success and its aim to encourage education and bring people together.

George has the business of networking down to a science and his success shows. He speaks very highly of his peers and his guests because he knows that it is to them that he owes much of the success of this event.

“Everything was perfect, it was an amazing crowd. The people here are the best of the best in terms of business, politics, and academia. There are senators, congress people, community leaders, philanthropists. I’m just really proud.”
And he has a right to be. With events as successful as this one, it’s clear that both George and the HSA have a very bright future ahead.

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