Founding Membership
Rights, Privileges & Benefits
Preamble
The founding members of the Society of Friends of the Athens Institute and Academic Philhellenism (SFAIAP) hold a unique and distinguished place in the history of the Society. Their early commitment to the mission of the Athens Institute and to the promotion of Academic Philhellenism is recognized through a comprehensive set of privileges, rights, and benefits that reflect the importance of their foundational role.
The benefits described in this document are permanent and remain in effect for the lifetime of the
founding member’s active membership in SFAIAP.
1. Free Participation in All Events
Founding members enjoy complimentary participation in all events organized by the Athens Institute, including:
- International conferences and academic symposia
- Public lectures and keynote addresses
- Workshops, seminars, and masterclasses
- Cultural events, exhibitions, and ceremonies
- Annual general meetings and special assemblies
2. Recognition & Status
- Permanent “Founding Member” designation on membership card and official certificate
- Name listed in all official SFAIAP publications, the website, and annual reports
- Formal acknowledgement at all major Institute events
3. Access & Priority Participation
- Priority registration for all events, conferences, and seminars before general members
- Exclusive access to founding members-only receptions and private gatherings
- Early access to lecture recordings, academic papers, and research publications
4. Publications & Resources
- Complimentary copies of all Institute printed publications
- Full access to the Institute’s digital library and research archives
- Advance copies of research reports and working papers prior to general release
5. Networking & Community
- Membership in an exclusive Founding Members’ Network connecting scholars, academics, and philhellenes
- Direct access to visiting scholars, researchers, and distinguished guests of the Institute
- Invitations to private dinners and receptions hosted for eminent Institute guests
- Facilitated introductions to partner institutions and international academic networks
6. Governance & Influence
- Full voting rights in all general assemblies of SFAIAP
- Eligibility to stand for election to the Board of Directors
- Consultative input into the Society’s future programmes, priorities, and direction
- Right to propose agenda items for general assemblies
7. Symbolic Recognition & Legacy
- Dedicated profile page on the SFAIAP official website
- Individually numbered and signed commemorative Founding Member Certificate
- Permanent recognition in the official history of the Society and the Athens Institute
- Invitation to participate in the Society’s founding ceremony and inaugural events
Summary of Founding Member Benefits
| Category | Key Benefit |
|---|---|
| Free Event Participation | All Institute events at no extra cost |
| Recognition & Status | Permanent Founding Member title & listings |
| Priority Access | First registration, exclusive receptions, reserved seating |
| Publications | Free copies of publications and advance research reports |
| Networking | Exclusive founders’ network and access to scholars & guests |
| Governance | Voting rights and eligibility for Board of Directors |
| Legacy | Numbered certificate, website profile, historical recognition |
Founding membership is a unique, time-limited opportunity. These rights and privileges are granted in perpetuity to all founding members and cannot be transferred.
Founding Members
| Name | Position & Institution | Country |
|---|---|---|
| Mariam Adamashvili | Assistant Professor, Georgian National University SEU | Georgia |
| Pinar Akinci Acar | Associate Professor & Head, Human Resources Management, Istanbul Medipol University | Türkiye |
| Firas Alawneh | Professor, The Hashemite University | Jordan |
| Robert Bishop | Professor, Wheaton College | USA |
| Jose Manuel Castillo Lopez | Full Professor, University of Granada | Spain |
| Eleni Coukos Elder | Professor, Tennessee State University | USA |
| Eliza Gardiner | Professor, Vancouver Island University | Canada |
| Parisa Gazerani | Professor, Oslo Metropolitan University | Norway |
| Gabriele Gien | President, Catholic University of Eichstätt-Ingolstadt | Germany |
| John Howard | Professor, East Carolina University | USA |
| Ari Hautaniemi | RDI Specialist, LAB University of Applied Sciences | Finland |
| Charles Louis Jayme | Dean of Studies & Vice Rector | South Africa |
| Edwin-Nikko Kabigting | Research Fellow, University of the Free State | South Africa |
| Ullrich Kleinhempel | Associate Professor, Adelphi University | USA |
| Palle Larsen | Senior Researcher, UCL University College | Denmark |
| Diana Liparteliani | Assistant Professor, Georgian National University SEU | Georgia |
| Nicholas N. Patricios | Dean Emeritus & Professor, University of Miami | USA |
| Helena Pericic Herenda | Full Professor, University of Zadar | Croatia |
| Oidinposha Pulatovna Imamkhodjaeva | Assistant Professor, The Pennsylvania State University | USA |
| Tanja Sakota | Associate Professor, University of the Witwatersrand | South Africa |
| Ori Z Soltes | Teaching Professor, Georgetown University | USA |
| Laura Trujillo | Professor & Researcher, Universidad Panamericana | Mexico |
| Timothy M. Young | Emeritus Professor, The University of Tennessee & CEO and President, T.M. Young Institute, LLC | USA |