Welcome to the Hellenic Cultural Foundation

HISTORY: The Hellenic Cultural Foundation (HCF), a non-profit, 501(c)3 organization, was founded in Tucson in 1983. Visionary community leaders, including Mary Gekas, Prof. Richard Kinkade, Rev. Anthony Moschonas, James Sfarnas, Prof. David Soren and others, both within and beyond the Greek American community, came together to promote the study of Hellenic language and culture in close partnership with the University of Arizona. For many years HCF maintained a strong involvement with the University Seminars Program of the Alexander S. Onassis Public Benefit Foundation (USA).

MISSION: The Foundation supports the study of Greek language (ancient and modern), Greek archaeology, and Classical literature and all aspects of Greek culture in Tucson and southern Arizona. It promotes academic excellence in Hellenic studies through a program of scholarships at the University of Arizona and is deeply committed to community outreach.

COMMUNITY OUTREACH: The Foundation annually hosts a calendar of activities featuring University of Arizona faculty and specialists from Greece and elsewhere in the U.S.

The Hellenic Cultural Foundation:

Supports modern Greek language instruction at the University of Arizona
Promotes the study of Greek culture, both ancient and modern
Provides scholarships to University of Arizona students studying modern and ancient Greek language, literature, philosophy, archaeology, anthropology, ancient history, or other aspects of Hellenic culture
Hosts lectures and other events focused on Greek culture
Supports archaeological field projects in Greece
Partners with the University of Arizona to support student scholars
Provides outreach to the Greek community in Tucson and the region

2025 AWARDEES: The Hellenic Cultural Foundation of Tucson is pleased to congratulate the 2025 recipients of scholarships and awards for Greek studies at the University of Arizona.

Laura Boese, M.A. Program in Classics, Department of Religious Studies and Classics, James P. Sfarnas Hellenic Studies Scholarship for continued study of ancient Greek language and culture

Austin Doten, Junior majoring in Anthropology, James P. Sfarnas Hellenic Studies Scholarship for participation in the field school at Greek and Elymian Segesta, Sicily

Eddie Feiner, Junior majoring in Anthropology, James P. Sfarnas Hellenic Studies Scholarship for participation in the field school at Greek and Elymian Segesta, Sicily

Josephine Hancox, M.A. Program in Classics, Department of Religious Studies and Classics, James P. Sfarnas Hellenic Studies Scholarship for continued study of ancient Greek language

Leah Hess, Ph.D. Program in Mediterranean Archaeology, School of Anthropology, James P. Sfarnas Hellenic Studies Scholarship for participation in the field school at Greek and Elymian Segesta, Sicily

Daniel Ingram, Junior majoring in History, James P. Sfarnas Hellenic Studies Scholarship for participation in the field school at Greek and Elymian Segesta, Sicily

Caroline Keller, Sophomore majoring in Anthropology and History, James P. Sfarnas Hellenic Studies Scholarship for participation in the field school at Greek and Elymian Segesta, Sicily

Gene King, Junior majoring in Architecture, College of Architecture, Planning, and Landscape Architecture, Chris Limberis Fieldwork Scholarship for participation in the Mt. Lykaion Excavation and Survey Project

Christopher Lee, M.A. Program in Classical Archaeology, Department of Religious Studies and Classics, James P. Sfarnas Hellenic Studies Scholarship for participation in the Mt. Lykaion Excavation and Survey Project, Arcadia, Greece

Shannon Mayo, M.A. Program in Classics, Department of Religious Studies and Classics, James P. Sfarnas Hellenic Studies Scholarship for continued study of ancient Greek language and literature

Julia Moroz, M.A. program in Classical Archaeology, Department of Religious Studies and Classics, James P. Sfarnas Hellenic Studies Scholarship for participation in the Mt. Lykaion Excavation and Survey Project, Arcadia, Greece

Maia Nastav, Senior majoring in Theater/Drama, Ariana Mercedes Economou Prize for Excellence in Modern Greek Language

Evan Paine, M.A. Program in Classical Archaeology, Department of Religious Studies and Classics, James P. Sfarnas Hellenic Studies Scholarship for participation in the Mt. Lykaion Excavation and Survey Project, Arcadia, Greece

Elena Periclos, Freshman majoring in Neuroscience and Cognitive Science, James P. Sfarnas Hellenic Studies Scholarship for study of Modern Greek language

Andrew Rivadeneira, Ph.D. program in Mediterranean Archaeology, School of Anthropology, James P. Sfarnas Hellenic Studies Scholarship for participation in the field school at Greek and Elymian Segesta, Sicily

William Scott, M.A. program in Classics, Department of Religious Studies and Classics, James P. Sfarnas Hellenic Studies Scholarship for continued study of ancient Greek language

Maximilian von Husen, Junior majoring in Anthropology, James P. Sfarnas Hellenic Studies Scholarship for participation in the field school at Greek and Elymian Segesta, Sicily

Applications are currently closed. The 2026 HCF Scholarship application will re-open in early 2026.