Syracuse University Chancellor Nancy Cantor, Dean of the Newhouse School, David Rubin, David Sutherland and the Syracuse Newhouse community, friends, family and photojournalists.
It is heartwarming to see so many of you here to view this exhibit. We hope that the next 6 weeks will bring hundreds more to see it as they come to visit this great place of nations
It has always been our desire to bring the broadest attention to the powerful images created by the Alexia photographers. The blueprint for our success has never been s guarantee. We are grateful that we can give back and can, in some small way, better the human condition. Aphrodite and I have been determined to increase the viewing audience for these works and focus national and international attention on the messages they bring to all of us.
This became possible when Vin Alabiso, former executive editor of photography at the Associated Press, agreed to be Chairman of our recently-formed Board of Directors. Vin has brought to us his colleagues from the most prestigious photography outlets here and abroad to serve as Board Members. He has not only been a tiresome leader but has become a trusted advisor and, most of all, a good friend. Thank you, Vin for your dedicated support.
Our sincerest thanks to our Board of Directors from the photography community, David Tomlin, our legal advisor and to Richard, Krim a long time friend, benefactor and our financial advisor. Without this powerful group, this exhibit would not have happened.
Many of you too numerous to mention have made this night possible by making the Alexia Foundation a top priority in your gift giving. Special recognition goes to Richard Schwartz, another long time friend and benefactor, who generously donated the frames for these outstanding photographs and Lorelei Enterprises for help in planning this event.
From here, we hope to take this exhibit on an international tour with a first stop in Greece with the help of George Katsaouanis and Marathon Bank of NJ and then on to China in September. This past summer, we had wonderful exposure in Perpignan, France thanks to Jean-Francois Leroy and our Board member, Eliane Laffont. The more people that see this exhibit - the closer we come to world understanding.
Lastly but most importantly, we are a family. Our son George Alex and daughter Ariadne who are here with their spouses, Christine and Gregg, have kept their sister's memory alive by channeling their loss into a commitment to the Foundation's goals. We all work together as a team. But behind every successful venture, there is usually an exceptional woman. My wife, Aphrodite, has been the driving force behind the Foundation. Through her tireless efforts, when we were just a Mom and Pop operation, she has remained steadfastly committed to our mission. She is an extraordinary woman, the most cherished person in my life, and my best friend.