May 24, 2002

Fellow Ahepans,

I am writing in support of Dr. James Dimitriou’s candidacy for the office of Supreme President of AHEPA. My membership in AHEPA is due to the extraordinary example he has set.

I have known Dr. Dimitriou for almost thirty years, ever since the dark days of the Turkish invasion of Cyprus. He was among the first in our community to recognize the need for mobilization of the Greeks of the Diaspora, and was involved in the formation of the Save Cyprus Committee of Southern California. He wrote the first position paper, which provided the historical background of the issues involved in the Cyprus tragedy. It was a most valuable and articulate document that informed and educated the American public about the crimes committed against Cyprus and Hellenism.

When we were establishing the Basil P. Caloyeras Center for Modern Greek Studies at Loyola Marymount University, Dr. Dimitriou gave us his unwavering support. He attended all of our functions and worked diligently to recruit students for our program. The success of the Center is in no small measure the result of his involvement. I also worked with him in launching the Greek Heritage Society of Southern California. This is an organization devoted to the study of the early Greek immigrants in Southern California. The Heritage Society is associated with the Caloyeras Center for Modern Greek Studies and together we have organized many activities for the Greek American public on the campus of the University.

In every one of these activities, Dr. Dimitriou exhibited great leadership qualities, devotion and dedication to Hellenic culture, Orthodox religion and to the Greek American Community.

He will be a fair, vigorous and inspiring Supreme President. He has my wholehearted support.

Sincerely,

Demetrios Liappas
Director
The Basil P. Caloyeras Center for Modern Greek Studies
Loyola Marymount University

"I am proud to endorse brother Jim Dimitriou for Supreme President of the Order of AHEPA. Jim is a seasoned AHEPAN with a clear vision for the future. I share his commitment in uniting the Order and increasing our ranks. During these troubling times, we need a steady hand at the helm. As Supreme President, Jim will provide leadership and focus on our mission."

Marcos P. Sivitanides, Ph.D.
Past District Governor (Delta District 16)

Dr. James F. Dimitriou has been an active and valuable member of our chapter, South Bay #426, Redondo Beach, CA, from the time he graduated from the Sons of Pericles. We enthusiastically support his candidacy for Supreme President of the Order of AHEPA because of his many qualifications, including the following key points that describe him:

• Devoted to our Greek Orthodox faith, and his family.
• Total adherence to our Hellenic culture and tradition.
• Broad academic achievement, including graduating Phi Beta Kappa with a Doctorate in International Studies and two Masters Degrees in education.
• In depth AHEPA experience, including:
• Supreme Vice-President, 2 terms
• Supreme Secretary
• Supreme Treasurer
• Supreme Governor
• Chairman of the National Educational Foundation
• Chairman of the National Cyprus and Hellenic Affairs Committee for ten years
• Founded, presided or supported many organizations, including:
• American Hellenic Institute, Los Angeles
• AXIOS Foundation
• Federation of Hellenic American Societies
• Greek Heritage Society of Los Angeles
• Hellenic American Council (formerly Save Cyprus Council)
• Hellenic Cultural Society of Los Angeles
• Kephalonians
• Marmarinon Benevolent Society
• Pan-Cretan Association
• Pan-Icarian Brotherhood
• Pan-Macedonian Society

His extraordinary background assures his capability of being one of our most outstanding Supreme Presidents, with the vision and skills to lead the AHEPA successfully into the future, and assuring the preservation of the Hellenic culture in America.

To Whom It May Concern:

I have known Dr. Dr. James F. Dimitriou to be a comprehensive promoter of education. In this short letter I will attempt to enumerate his contributions.

As a creator of new educational content, Dr. Dimitriou the scholar

As a teacher of content, Dr. Dimitriou

As an administrator, Dr. Dimitriou,

As an innovator in education, Dr. Dimitriou,

Scholar, teacher, administrator and innovator The final aspect that makes Dr. Dimitriou a comprehensive educator the current Supreme Vice President of the Order of AHEPA.

Jim Dimitriou has a Doctorate in International Studies, and two Masters Degrees, all from USC.

He has served as an instructor and consultant to many university programs. They include the Pacific Rim Project, and the Global Studies Program.

He has been the Director of the "European Odyssey" Study Travel Program for over 20 years.

He made an interactive educational website for students.

Dr. Dimitriou’s focus seems to be Greek American ethnographic studies, where he is a noted educator and scholar.

He has many works on the Greek American Community. These are books, and even an award-winning film, "The Greeks of Los Angeles."

Dr. Dimitriou is a founder of the Greek Heritage Society, and has served as President of AHI, Los Angeles, Executive Director of the Axios Foundation, President of the Marmarinon Society.

He has been a long time member of Ahepa in Los Angeles. In the AHEPA Supreme Lodge he has also served as Secretary, Treasurer and Governor. He has served as Chairman of the National Educational Foundation, and also Chairman of the National Cyprus & Hellenic Affairs Committee.

Dr. Dimitriou has numerous awards and other recognition. Some of them are being named to the LA Bicentennial Commission and Speakers bureau, and to the L.A. County Leadership Commission.

He has been named "Teacher of the Year," and the California State Superintendent has named him a "Mentor Teacher" for three years in a row.

You can measure the man by the impact. One of his books, “Faces of Greece” is used by over 350,000 students nation wide.

As for the educational web site that he made, it is being used by over 15,000 schools, the most in the country. For that, he was specially honored by then Vice President Al Gore.

Dr. Dimitriou's current efforts in education are centered on re-establishing the study of Greece and Western Civilization throughout the curriculum of our Public Schools.

"I have been an active member of AHEPA for 34 years, During this time, I have known many leaders of our great organization. We have been fortunate to have several members rise to the apex of our fraternity who were truly outstanding leaders. None of these leaders, however, has brought to the AHEPA the education and zeal for the organization that I have seen in Dr. James Dimitriou. I have known and worked with Jim for many years in the 20th District. He has been a tireless leader who has given unselfishly of his time and talent. Jim has demonstrated that he indeed has a vision for the Order of AHEPA. We now are at a point in our history that is critical. We must have a leader who recognizes the need to take an active role in halting our membership decline. I ask you to join me in supporting Dr. James Dimitriou for Supreme President of the Order of AHEPA."