Anatolia Naming Ceremonies in Honor of Past Presidents William McGrew and Richard Jackson
William McGrew and Richard Jackson were two emblematic Presidents of Anatolia College, whose leadership played a defining role in the institution's progress and growth. In recognition of their contributions, the Board of Trustees has decided to honor their legacy and memory by naming two key spaces on campus:
- The Anatolia College Indoor Gym has been named William McGrew Sports Center
- Tsipos Hall has been renamed Jackson Hall
The ceremonies took place during the Board of Trustees meeting in Thessaloniki on May 29 and 30, 2025.
William McGrew Sports Center
William McGrew was the ninth President of Anatolia College and its longest-serving leader, holding office for 25 consecutive years (1974–1999), later also serving as President of the American Farm School (2005–2009). Before that, he served in the US Foreign Service in Greece, Turkey, and Cyprus. During his presidency at Anatolia College, he faced numerous political and economic challenges, which he met with unwavering resolve and effectiveness. A defining moment of his leadership was the establishment of higher education within the institution through the founding of ACT (formerly SBALA).
Holding a PhD in Greek and Modern European History, he was the author of Land and Revolution in Modern Greece, 1800–1881 (1985). His decade-long research culminated in the publication of Educating across Cultures: Anatolia College in Turkey and Greece (Rowman & Littlefield, 2015), a seminal account of Anatolia College's journey from its beginnings in Boston to the present day. The book was translated into Greek and published in 2019 as Γεφυρώνοντας Πολιτισμούς με την Εκπαίδευση – Το Κολλέγιο Ανατόλια στην Τουρκία και στην Ελλάδα (Kapon Editions).
"Bill was among the last of the special breed of strong, imperious educational leaders who led the best of the American Boarding schools in the mid-20th century. He was in charge and had a special understanding of the educational needs of students in a changing social and political landscape," said the President of the Board of Trustees, Albert "Chip" Elfner, III.
The decision to name the Anatolia College Indoor Gym after him was also inspired by his love for athletics and basketball. Students, alumni, and staff fondly remember Bill McGrew playing basketball alongside them on both the indoor and outdoor courts. Among them was the current President of Anatolia College, Dr. Panos Vlachos, then a professor at ACT.
"Bill McGrew believed deeply in this institution, its mission, and its people. He led with principle, vision, and determination," said Dr. Vlachos. "Bill once told me, 'I got to know you better on the basketball court.' He was right. Sports, like education, demand discipline, teamwork, and perseverance—and they reveal one's character. That's why naming this sports center in his honor is a most fitting tribute."
Dr. Vlachos highlighted the major transformations McGrew led during his remarkable 25-year tenure: coeducation at the secondary school level, the launch of the IBDP program, and the founding of ACT—"planting the seeds of a dynamic higher education division that flourished, especially after he oversaw its accreditation in the U.S. That was a defining moment of strategic foresight," he noted.
"Our first centennial allowed Bill to honor the past while literally and figuratively building the future—with the construction of the Eleftheriades Library and Constantinidis Hall, then aptly called the New Building. All of this amounts to more than just a legacy—it is a solid foundation upon which we continue to build."
Richard Jackson Hall
Richard L. Jackson, a Princeton University graduate, assumed the presidency of Anatolia College in 1999, succeeding William McGrew, and served for a decade as its tenth President. Under his leadership, the College achieved several significant milestones, including:
- The founding of Anatolia Elementary School at the former "Rigas Feraios" campus (2003)
- The construction of the Bissell Library at ACT (2002) and the expansion of its academic programs
- The construction of the Alumni soccer and track field (2005)
Under Jackson's leadership, ACT began offering U.S.-accredited graduate programs, having received accreditation from the New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC), now known as the New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE). ACT's undergraduate programs were also granted European recognition—initially through the University of Wales and later through the UK's Open University (OU).
«By naming this space today, Jackson Hall, we commemorate 11 years of your service to Anatolia, and we acknowledge a permanent place for your name and memory to be recognized by Anatolians now and for generations to come," said President of the Board of Trustees Albert "Chip" Elfner, III, during the ceremony, which Jackson attended.
"Richard Jackson was a remarkable leader who guided this institution through a decade of transformation," emphasized Anatolia College President Dr. Panos Vlachos. "During his tenure from 1999 to 2009, Jackson was instrumental in spearheading a bold development phase that laid the foundations for many of the strengths we build upon today".
"Perhaps Dick Jackson's most visionary step was to seek partnership with Northeastern University's NUin Program, which continues to bring study abroad students to our campus while contributing significantly to our institution's funding. Today, we mark our gratitude in a lasting way," added Dr. Vlachos, thanking Jackson for his leadership, dedication, and belief in Anatolia.
"It's moving to be back on the Anatolia campus and to see my name on this building," said Richard Jackson from the podium.
"I am truly grateful to George Bissell and Stavros Constantinidis for their extremely wise consul. They were truly the adults in the room. And thanks, of course, to the superb board (of Trustees) that is a model of what the governments should be".
Jackson expressed heartfelt gratitude for the honor of having Tsipos Hall renamed in his honor and thanked all those who contributed to the school's progress. "What all of you together have done in growing this campus, there's no other word for it but spectacular." He also recalled moments from his presidency, especially the early days. "I remember my first day as President at Anatolia. I've been a diplomat for 34 years; I didn't know what it was to be a president".
He highlighted the new conditions emerging in global education and expressed his belief that this is a unique opportunity for Anatolia College to attract more Greek and international students. "I have every reason to feel that the future of this College for the next century to come is very bright. The best is yet to come. I am, as many of you know, returning to the US in July, but I will be following this campus very closely from there, and I will be cheering. I would like to thank all of you for your efforts in improving the school and for your ongoing support”.
