Alexander Payne to Receive PHSF 2012 Paradigm Award

The PanHellenic Scholarship Foundation is pleased to announce that Alexander Payne (Konstantinos Alexandros Papadopoulos) will be the 2012 recipient of the Paradigm Award.  The award will be presented at the Foundation’s Annual Awards Ceremony and Gala, “Soaring with the Stars” on Saturday, June 16, 2012 at the Merle Reskin Theater and Chicago Hilton.

This is the 10^th Anniversary Celebration of the PanHellenic Scholarship Foundation’s mission of promoting education by awarding scholarships to Greek American college students.  Recipients are some of the “best and brightest” students whose outstanding academic performance, together with significant financial need, merits recognition and support.  The Foundation annually awards $250,000 in scholarships.

The Paradigm Award is annually presented by the Foundation to a distinguished Greek-American whose career and life accomplishments serve as an exemplary role model for young scholars.  Recent distinguished recipients include former White House Homeland Security Advisor, Frances Fragos Townsend (2010), Dr. Thanasis Economou (2009), University of Chicago Professor and NASA scientist, Dr. Peter Diamandis (2008), Chairman of X Prize Foundation and John Calamos (2007) of Calamos Investments as well as the late Dr. Constantine Papadakis (2006), former President of Drexel University.

Payne, who has won Academy Awards for Sideways in 2004 and recently for Best Adapted Screenplay of the Descendants, was born to Greek parents in Omaha, Nebraska.  A graduate of UCLA with a Masters in Fine Arts, his work is known for taking seemingly ordinary moments and transforming them in to extraordinary situations.

“Alexander Payne is a remarkable film maker and has the same brilliance as Elia Kazan (Elias Kazanjoglou), and Costas Gavras, two of the many exceptional Hellenes whose famous American films have also  received recognition and awards,” noted Chris P. Tomaras, Chairman of the PanHellenic Scholarship Foundation.  “Alexander is an excellent role model for young scholars, especially those who aspire to be writers and producers in the film industry.  We are honored to present him with the 2012 Paradigm Award,” continued Mr. Tomaras. Payne is also one of the judges at this year’s Cannes Film Festival.

For reservations call Elaine Sotos at 312-357-6432. Visit www.panhellenicscholarships.org for information about the Foundation and past scholarship recipients.