The American School of Classical Studies at Athens is pleased to announce the release of its 139th Annual Report, highlighting the School’s significant achievements during its 2019–2020 academic year and celebrating the extraordinary work of its leadership, faculty, staff, and members.
“The 2019–2020 academic year will surely enter the annals of the American School as one of the most memorable and challenging. The COVID-19 pandemic closed the School on March 16, 2020, and the impact of that pandemic is still being felt around the world. Against that backdrop, however, there is much to be celebrated,” said Jenifer Neils, Director of the American School. “Not for the first time in its nearly 140-year history, the American School demonstrated its resilience and ability to thrive under the most adverse conditions. None of this would be possible without the efforts of our staff in Princeton and Athens and the loyal support of countless individuals and foundations.”
A few of the American School’s accomplishments during 2019–2020 include the:
-Modifying of the School’s flagship academic programs to meet the challenges posed by Loring Hall’s temporary closing
-Pivoting of School operations online (e.g., webinars, virtual meetings) to keep audiences engaged during the pandemic
-Impressive finds from the School’s archaeological fieldwork in the Athenian Agora, ancient Corinth, and its affiliated projects
-Completion of the major reclassification and reshelving projects at the Blegen and Gennadius libraries
-Important contributions from the Archives and Wiener Laboratory
-Publication of the School’s award-winning Hesperia journal and Sylvie Dumont’s book Vrysaki: A Neighborhood Lost in Search of the Athenian Agora
-Start of the Student Center expansion and renovation project
-Notable efforts in outreach, philanthropy, and public engagement
-Honoring of several School scholars and former faculty members for their career achievements