Prominent national Greek-American organization recognizes Fairfield University professor for years of scholarship in Greek antiquity

Prominent national Greek-American organization recognizes Fairfield University professor for years of scholarship in Greek antiquity


Image:Caryatid hairstyles The American Hellenic Educational Progressive Association (AHEPA), one of the country's foremost Greek-American organizations, has named Fairfield University Art History Professor Katherine Schwab, Ph.D., "Hellene of the Year" for District 7 for her years of research and scholarship in Greek art and antiquity. The district comprises 14 AHEPA chapters in Connecticut and Rhode Island.

Dr. Schwab is recognized internationally for her work. Her detailed research drawings of the Parthenon east and north metopes are displayed prominently in the Acropolis Museum in Athens. Her connections within the Greek art world contributed to the 2010 "Gifts from Athens" exhibition at Fairfield's Bellarmine Museum of Art, and to a gift of 23 photographs from noted Greek photographer Socratis Mavrommatis. More recently, Dr. Schwab's Caryatid Hairstyling Project, in which she analyzed and recreated the elaborate hairstyles on the Caryatids, or maidens, forming the columns of the Erechtheion temple on the Acropolis, has garnered wide praise for its innovation and attention to detail.

The award letter announcing this latest AHEPA honor praised Dr. Schwab's "dedication to researching the Hellenic Culture, including (her) publications of several book chapters and journal articles, and research for the Caryatid Hairstyling Project." The formal award presentation took place at the Fall Conference of District 7, which was attended by the national AHEPA Supreme President Dr. John Grossomanides and Supreme Governor Nicholas Nikas.

"One of key points about AHEPA is helping young Greeks appreciate their culture, and we honor those who have contributed to the promotion of Greek culture and values," explained Emmanuel D. Moshovos, governor of District 7. "I've attended a couple of the lectures Dr. Schwab has presented and found them delightful. She is totally profound in her presentation and is clearly very enthusiastic. Her visuals are magnificent not only in research but in details."

Dr. Schwab had no idea she was even being considered for the honor. "It was a complete surprise to receive their letter [announcing the award], and I'm so deeply grateful and honored," she said.

Robbin Crabtree, Ph.D., dean of the College of Arts and Sciences at Fairfield, was not at all surprised to hear of Dr. Schwab's most recent honor. "Kathy's scholarly contributions have reached an extraordinary height of visibility in the past few years. She has made substantial - and quite unique - contributions to the study of Greek art and culture."

Posted On: 10-17-2011 11:10 AM

Volume: 44 Number: 77