Your first and last name are some of the first things you learn as a child, when you’re only just beginning the long journey to find your place in the world.
They’re also arguably the most important.
That was the key message George Reveliotis (BA, ’96, history) wanted to share when he walked into Foellinger Auditorium this May as the speaker for the School of Literatures, Cultures & Linguistics Spring 2024 Convocation.
“A person is identified by a first name and a surname,” said Reveliotis. “The first name connotes an individual, but the last name also connotes belonging to a family. You come from somewhere. For many of us, there are people who have facilitated [our journey from childhood to adulthood]. Always remember that, and whatever warmth and love and encouragement you received, pass it on.”
The concept of “passing it on” has been a crucial one for Reveliotis, founder and managing partner of Reveliotis Law, P.C., a property tax and real estate law firm in Park Ridge, Illinois. A strong supporter of the Department of Classics, he pledged $1.5 million to set up the George N. Reveliotis Family Hellenic Studies Endowment in 2019. This was in addition to previous gifts that funded teaching assistant and lecturer positions. His most recent gift, which he pledged over 10 years, is being used to support a lecturer, scholarships, professorships, and graduate fellowships.
For Reveliotis, it was that immutable tie to his family that inspired him to give back.
“My parents came from Greece, and growing up, we learned Greek,” said Reveliotis. “That was my first language. We also learned about Greek culture and history, and having traveled extensively to Greece throughout my life, I love everything Greek. Our history is something that we [Greek Americans] are very proud of. We’re proud of our heritage and our contributions to the Western world and to the United States.”
Reveliotis said there were a few things he hoped he could help accomplish through his support: emphasize the importance of Greek language, history, and culture and their contributions to modern day Western culture; showcase Greek influences via the sciences, mathematics, and literature; and fill in any potential voids in the teaching of the history of the Eastern Roman Empire (also known as the Byzantine Empire) which lasted from 330 to 1453 and which he considers to be critical in the preservation of ancient knowledge from that time.
He sees study abroad as one crucial way to achieve these goals, having designated part of his gift into the George N. Reveliotis Family Hellenic Studies Travel Scholarship Fund.
“Studying abroad helps put everything into context,” said Reveliotis. “To look at the actual structures built by those ancient peoples, to gaze upon the mountainous landscape and the Mediterranean Sea, to witness that magnificence and history before your very eyes… it’s truly marvelous and inexplicable, at least with words.”
Most of all, he wanted to bolster the work that was already happening in the department’s Ancient and Modern Greek programs.
“I was drawn to what they were doing, and I wanted to be a part of it,” said Reveliotis. “In my mind, educators are the brightest individuals in our society. They could have easily chosen other paths, but they have devoted themselves to teaching our younger members of society, and that is something that is extremely commendable. If my support [can serve as] an encouragement to continue that work, that gives me a great sense of pride.”
At the end of the day, it’s that human element that Reveliotis cherishes the most, whether it be in his personal or professional life.
“To me, it’s investing in human minds and souls,” said Reveliotis. “I could have bought [material things,] but those are going to sap away in some land disposal site one day. But if you can invest in people’s minds and souls, that’s something that stays forever.”
Editor's note: This story first appeared in the School of Literatures, Cultures & Linguistics fall 2024 newsletter.
To learn more about investing in the future of our students, please contact Ai Niemeyer.