Former White House chief of staff, Reince Priebus is being honoured as this year’s recipient of the PanHellenic Scholarship Foundation‘s Paradigm Award.
Described by the Foundation as a “proud Greek American”, the lawyer who served as part of US President Donald Trump’s administration until July 2017 and is now president and chief strategist of law firm Michael Best & Friedrich LLP, has been recognised for his efforts at the forefront of drawing attention to Hellenic issues in the US.
“He has been a vocal supporter of US-Greece relations and a strong advocate of Hellenic values such as free speech, freedom of belief, and education,” said the Foundation.
Priebus in large part attributes his approach, and hence success, to his Greek Orthodox upbringing.
“As a young kid in Wisconsin, I grew up going to Greek Orthodox Church surrounded by a strong, faith-based community,” he told the Foundation.
“The values I heard from Scripture and witnessed in the actions of that community helped shape me, and taught me what it means to live a life cloaked in faith and guided by principles.”
The Paradigm Award, which will officially be presented to Priebus at a special gala event on 16 June, honours the lifelong achievements of a distinguished Greek American whose career and accomplishments are a testimony to the Foundation’s mission.
Priebus’ impressive performance in the field of law along with his contribution in the Greek American community also make him a fitting example for the Foundation’s scholars to follow.
He joins a high calibre of former Paradigm Award winners, including 2017 recipient, entrepreneur, philanthropist, and business leader John Pappajohn; CEO of Calamos Investments, John S Koudounis who was awarded in 2016; and 2009’s recipient NASA Senior Planetary Scientist Dr Thanasis Economou, amongst a host of others.
A not-for-profit organisation, the Foundation is dedicated to promoting education and leadership. It recognises and honours exceptional undergraduate students of Hellenic descent with monetary awards in a bid to support their individual efforts, and the collective push to build “a better America through Education and Hellenism”.