My first Publication 1926874721_Alumni_Magazine_June_2010 | Page 4

Issue 3, June 2010
FROM THE PRESIDENT
Dear Alumni,
It is hard to believe that three years have passed and my tenure at the
American College has come to a close. My family and I felt welcomed
and supported from the moment we arrived in Sofia, and for this I will be
eternally grateful. Although we are all excited to begin the next chapter in
our lives, we are sad to be leaving ACS, which has been such a special place
to us all. We have many fond memories of our time in Bulgaria.
In a country where folk ways and customs have persisted to the present day, I
have heard my fair share of Bulgarian sayings and proverbs. One in particular
stands out: “Draw water from the new well, but don’t spit in the old one.”
I’d like to think that during the past three years we have drawn water from the
new well by introducing some important changes at the College: the House
System, Lotus Notes, the Black Cup Competition, modification of our admissions exam, and a new website to name just
a few. I’m also proud to say that we’ve also placed a much stronger emphasis on alumni relations with the introduction of
regular schedule of class reunions and, of course, the publication of this magazine.
These and other changes notwithstanding, I know we certainly haven’t “spit in the old” well. In fact, we have worked hard
to continue the good work of former ACS presidents. From Dr. Whitaker, whose leadership and vision helped to define
the re-opened College in 1992, to Dr. Art Charles, who shepherded the school through a period of steady growth and the
economic crisis in Bulgaria in 1997, to Mr. Lou Perske, whose long tenure and steady hand brought stability to the College,
we have all done our best to stay true to the historical mission of the school as articulated and defined by the College’s first
president, Dr. Floyd Black, in the 1920s. We have all striven to uphold the College’s core values: responsibility, integrity, and
respect. It is indeed an honor and a privilege to pass the baton of leadership to Dr. Paul Johnson, who will help to write the
next chapter of ACS’s proud history.
After listening to many of our older alumni reminisce about the American College and the education they received here, I am
convinced that they learned as much about what it means to have strength of character as they did about the various academic
subjects. In addition to studying math, science, history, and languages, they learned the value of hard work, perseverance,
honor, and empathy. As a few of these alumni have conveyed to me, their experience at the American College gave them the
courage and the fortitude to deal with the trials and tribulations of the post-War years. They speak with great pride about
being graduates of the College and great affection for the people they met while they were here.
Our recent graduates have faced different challenges, perhaps not of the same magnitude of earlier alumni, but challenges
nonetheless. After all, the world is a very competitive place. I’d like to think that all ACS graduates have the skills, the habits
of mind, and the strength of character to surmount all of the obstacles they will face in life.
I’d also like to think that, like the older alumni of the College, recent graduates too will be proud of their school and will
remember with affection the people they met when they were here.
I know that I will.
Sincerely,
Tom Cangiano
President, American College of Sofia
2