School Awards Edward E. Cohen with Athens Prize at Sixth Annual Gala
► View the Gala 2022 Photo Gallery
On Thursday, May 12, 2022, the American School of Classical Studies at Athens hosted its sixth annual Gala to honor Edward E. Cohen. Dr. Cohen was presented with the School’s prestigious Athens Prize for his outstanding contributions to the advancement of knowledge of Ancient Greece.
| Edward E. Cohen receives his Athens Prize at Gotham Hall. From left: Daniel Cohen, Jonathan Cohen, Betsy Cohen, Edward Cohen, Trustees President Rob Loomis, Trustees Chairman Alex Zagoreos, Managing Committee Chair Mark Lawall, and Gennadius Library Director Maria Georgopoulou. |
The Gala raised more than $1 million, making it the most successful event in the School’s history. Over 350 guests enjoyed an evening of inspiration, education, and celebration at the spectacular Gotham Hall in New York City. All proceeds from the Gala directly benefit the School’s academic, archaeological exploration, outreach, publications, and research programs. These vital funds help the School strengthen its position as one of the preeminent centers for the study of the Greek world and continue its mission of preserving, promoting, and protecting Greece’s past from antiquity to the present day. A replay of the Gala can be watched at this link.
Dr. Cohen is an acclaimed economic historian, author, businessman, and educator. He is the author of many articles and several books on Athens, including Athenian Economy and Society: A Banking Perspective. His parallel career as the founder and leader of prominent enterprises in the energy, real estate, and banking sectors gave him the practical experience and insights needed for understanding how ancient economies actually worked. He holds doctorates in classics (Princeton) and law (Penn). An alumnus of the American School (Regular Member 1961–1962), he was a Trustee from 1981 until 2009, when he became a Trustee Emeritus and an Overseer of the Gennadius Library.
| Edward E. Cohen delivers his Athens Prize acceptance speech. |
| The Cohen family at the Gala. From left: Daniel, Edward, Betsy, and Jonathan Cohen. |
During the Athens Prize presentation, Dr. Cohen’s wife, Betsy, and sons, Jonathan and Daniel—who served as the Gala’s co-chairs—delivered heartwarming and inspiring speeches. The School also premiered Edward E. Cohen and the Archaeology of Democracy, an insightful new short film produced in collaboration with AORI Films and dedicated to the memory of Eleni Zachariou by Charles O. Yoder.
Distinguished guests attending included Archbishop Elpidophoros of America and Vasili Tsamis, Chief Financial Officer of the Stavros Niarchos Foundation (SNF). Videos showcasing the School were also shown, including its fascinating work in restoring the wall frescoes in Corinth (click to watch), its Hippos: The Horse in Ancient Athens exhibition at the School’s Makriyannis Wing (click to watch), and the new Gennadius Library fellowships (click to watch).
| Archbishop Elpidophoros (center) with Marine (left) and Alex Zagoreos. |
Save the Date
Please save the date for next year’s Gala on Thursday, May 11, 2023, at Gotham Hall in New York City.
| The American School's Gala at Gotham Hall. |
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| Guests enjoy dinner at the Gala. |
View the Photo Gallery
Please click this link to view photos of Gala 2022.
All photos by Matt Gillis.