NEW YORK – Nicholas Negroponte, Co-Founder and Chairman Emeritus of the renowned MIT Media Lab and Founder of the “One Laptop per Child” non-profit association, was presented the Homeric Award at the 36th annual gala of the Chian Federation of New York and at the Hellenic American Cultural Center in Astoria on December 6.

George Pantelidis was the Emcee for the 2015 event that was dedicated to education, research and innovation. For its first 20 years Negroponte directed the Media Lab, an interdisciplinary endeavor where art, design, science and technology converge. It was the time the sibling of a prior Homeric recipient won the award. Statesman John Negroponte was honored in 2010.

Negroponte, who declared proudly that his father’s father was a Chian, enthralled the guests with revolutionary ideas on education, the story of the One Laptop per Child, program, and his latest radical endeavor.

Negroponte, who is a graduate of MIT and a faculty member since 1966, ιs a pioneer in the field of computer-aided design. His 1995 best seller, Being Digital, has been translated into more than 40 languages.

The invocation was offered by Archbishop Demetrios assisted by Fr. Vasilios Louros and greetings were offered by Chian Federation President Stavros Haviaras and event co-chair Anna Condoulis. Kalliniki Lambrinoudis sang the national anthems and music was provided by Cosmos Entertainment.

Guests were also delighted by the traditional costumes and dances of Chios performed by the Dance Group of the Women’s Auxiliary of the Federation directed by Petro Fourniotis.

Philip Christopher, founder and president of the International Coordinating Committee “Justice for Cyprus” (PSEKA) and the Pancyprian Association of America spoke passionately about the need to continue to fight for the Cyprus cause.

A refugee from Kyrenia, Christopher expressed deep appreciation for the support of Chian organizations from the start. He noted that the big protests in Washington, DC against the illegal Turkish invasion and occupation were planned in the very building that housed the event.

Among the speakers offering greetings were Consul General of Greece Amb. George Iliopoulos, Cyprus Consul General Vasilios Philippou, Federation of Hellenic Societies of Greater New York President Petros Galatoulas. Greek Consul Manos Koubarakis was also present.