Meet the AHI Board of Directors

- Prime Minister of the Hellenic Republic, Kyriakos Mitsotakis

Courtesy of Columbia University Athletics

A proud American who never lost sight of his ancestry, Gene Rossides championed and inspired a generation and more to advocate for the rule of law, for Hellenism, and justice for Cyprus. He provided a lifetime of service and dedication to America, Greece, Cyprus, and Hellenic ideals. The Greek American community and Hellenic diaspora are in a far better place because of Gene Rossides.

Gene Rossides will be remembered for his many contributions to the law, legal scholarship, athletics and government service. He understood that United States foreign policy must be grounded on ethical principles and not only national power. He was the first Greek American to be confirmed by the U.S. Senate to an Executive Branch office. He served as Assistant Secretary for the United States Treasury in the Nixon administration.

In the wake of the Turkish invasion of the Republic of Cyprus in 1974, Gene Rossides founded AHI to advocate for US interests in U.S.-Greece-Cyprus relations. He was the architect of the most substantial policy victory for the rule of law in Cyprus which was achieved with bipartisan support -- the United States embargo on transfers of US arms to Turkey which took effect on February 5, 1975 and remained in effect until 1978.

The American Hellenic Institute remains committed to the ideals of Gene Rossides and pledges to continue promoting his ideals and foreign policy values.

For his extraordinary leadership of AHI and his contributions to the Hellenic diaspora, Gene Rossides received numerous honors, awards, and accolades from governments, the Orthodox Church, Hellenic heritage and diaspora organizations. During his lifetime, Gene also received significant recognition as a distinguished athlete at Columbia University, starring at quarterback during the university’s “Golden Era” of football. Included among his many honors, awards, and achievements are:

• Commander of the Order of the Phoenix by President Konstantinos Stephanopoulos of the Hellenic Republic (2004)

• The Republic of Cyprus Presidential Exceptional Service Medal – a rare honor requiring approval of Cyprus’s Council of Ministers (2016)

• The House of Representatives of Cyprus Medal as a token of gratitude for a lifetime of dedication to Cyprus and its cause – the highest honor bestowed by the House of Representatives upon an individual (2014)

• Investiture in The Order of Saint Andrew the Apostle – Archons of the Ecumenical Patriarchate in America

• Induction into the Columbia Athletics Hall of Fame and named to Columbia Football's Team of the 20th Century

• Honorary degree of Doctor of Laws of the Academy of Athens (2005)

• AHEPA-Archbishop Iakovos Humanitarian Award (2000)

• Induction into the AHEPA Hellenic Athletic Hall of Fame

• AHEPA-Stamos Family Lifetime Achievement Award (2014)

“[Rossides’ legacy] remains a shining example for future generations, as it is based on strong foundations and is inspired by universal principles: patriotism and respect for law and democracy.”