Event Recap: Columbia Send-Off Reception for Incoming Students from Greece Featuring a Talk by Professor Bruce Usher
On July 1, 2025, the Columbia Global Center in Athens, in collaboration with the Columbia Alumni of Greece, organized a send-off reception to welcome the newest students from Greece joining Columbia University this fall. Held at the Tsakos Energy Navigation headquarters in southern Athens, the event brought together incoming students, alumni, and friends of the University, celebrating the start of their Columbia journey.
The evening commenced with opening remarks by Nikos Tsakos, CEO of Tsakos Energy Navigation, and member of the Senior Council of the Global Center, Konstantina Kostopoulou, Vice President of the Columbia Alumni Club in Greece, and Stefanos Gandolfo, Director of the Columbia Global Center in Athens.
The event featured a keynote lecture by Bruce Usher, Professor of Professional Practice, and Co-Director of the Tamer Institute for Social Enterprise and Climate Change at Columbia Business School. In his lecture, titled "Climate Change: A Brief Update on Science, Innovation, Politics, and Capital," Professor Usher offered a compelling, sober and comprehensive overview of the evolving landscape around climate change.
He addressed current scientific consensus on climate risks, highlighted technological innovations driving climate solutions, and explored the implications of U.S. political shifts on global climate policy. Professor Usher also delved into the growing importance of trade policy in climate action, discussed the emerging insurance crisis linked to climate change, and examined how shifts in ESG funds are impacting the capital allocation for renewable energy and decarbonization. His remarks underscored the critical role of business, finance, and policy in shaping a more sustainable future. The lecture was followed by a lively Q&A session.
The evening concluded with a reception where students connected with Columbia alumni, gaining valuable insights into life at Columbia and in New York City.