BOSTON – Demetrios Logothetis, who was one of the three final candidates for the presidency of Hellenic College and Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology in Brookline, MA near Boston, withdrew his candidacy shortly after meetings with professors, administration officials, members of the Board, students, and the finance department. He then departed for his winter home in Florida.

Logothetis, having observed the overall situation of the School from both an institutional and personal experiential standpoint, including administrative issues, the rejection of Greek identity and language, student numbers, and the prevailing atmosphere, decided to withdraw. He believed that by stepping aside and continuing his role as chairman of the Leadership 100 endowment fund, he could be more useful to the School.

In an interview with The National Herald, he avoided going into details, however, invoking “the good of the School and Hellenism.”

The interview follows:

The National Herald: Why did you withdraw your candidacy for the HCHC presidency?

Demetrios Logothetis: The answer is very simple. As I told you last time, I was not seeking employment. God has helped me tremendously with a brilliant career. I don’t need money, and I would donate my salary to charitable purposes. The reason I ran for candidacy was to get to know the School better. My goal is to help the Church and the Greek Community with a strong emphasis on Greek education, the most serious [matter] of all.

I had meetings with representatives from the Trustees, professors, even students, and I got a very good impression of the School. I thought about everything and decided that I could help both the Church and the Community from the position I am in now at the Leadership 100.

TNH: When did you realize this, now that you have seen the School? Didn’t you understand it earlier?

DL: Mr. Kalmoukos, apart from a brief interview I had on ZOOM for 45 minutes, I had been to the School twice for graduations. I didn’t know specifically what the School’s goals were, how it operated, what vision it had for the future, etc. So, I learned all these much better in our recent meetings with the administration and others.

TNH: What did you see, what information did you gather, and what led you to this decision? Tell us specific things.

D. Logothetis: I wasn’t interested in becoming president just for the sake of maintaining the School; others can do that. Nor was I interested in becoming president just to raise funds. I wanted a vision that I have for the School and for the future of Hellenism in America, if I could help through the School.

TNH: So you realized that your vision cannot be realized, and you left with integrity?

D. Logothetis: Yes, in a way. Their vision differs from mine.

TNH: We have information from inside that you were insulted during your meeting with the Board of Trustees, especially by the vice chairman, Fr. John Magoulias, regarding the Greek language, Greek identity, the Hellenic College, etc.

D. Log: I don’t want to specifically refer to anyone. They were free to ask questions in the way they wanted. I recognize that they have some responsibility in their position, and everyone can choose how they behave.

TNH: Information says that Father Magoulias went so far as to bully you.

DL: No one can bully me. I have worked with the largest companies in the world.

TNH: Did you see the finances of the School?

DL: I certainly saw them, knew them, and know them, and it’s not something I can comment on.

TNH: How did you personally view them?

DL: You know them; I can’t tell you anything more.

TNH: You spoke about Hellenic College merging with other colleges in Boston or even being abolished. Can the College, with 40 or 60 students, really be sustained? Can we truly say we have a College?

DL: Today, as large companies merge and make acquisitions to increase revenue, all these things need to be examined. What I said was that everything needs to be considered.

TNH: Do you regret getting into this adventure?

DL: Not at all; it was necessary to do it because, as you know, Leadership 100 has given the most money to the School all these years. I have no bitterness; I will make a greater effort now to help the School.

TNH: Where do you think the School is heading?

DL: Whoever is elected now must collaborate with the Board of Trustees and the entire Greek Community because the future here in America, for Hellenism and Orthodoxy, cannot progress without the School.

TNH: Did you inform Archbishop Elpidophoros that you are withdrawing?

DL: No, I didn’t have the opportunity; he will learn it from the Committee.