Chairman of the Board of Trustees
George S. Bissell (1929–2023) was a pillar and one of the most beloved members of the Anatolia College community, supporting the institution’s operations and development with heartfelt generosity and foresight for nearly 60 years. A model of initiative, effective leadership, selfless service, humility, and integrity, he earned universal respect.
He began his service to the non-profit educational institution in 1965, initially as a Board member responsible for managing Anatolia College’s endowment. He went on to serve as Vice-Chairman and then Chairman of the Board of Trustees from 1992 to 2007, after which he remained an active Board member.
Throughout his long tenure, he donated nearly seven million dollars for the construction of essential buildings and infrastructure and for numerous scholarships, providing students in financial need with the opportunity to attend Anatolia High School and the American College of Thessaloniki (ACT). He played a pivotal role in the founding of ACT in 1981, and his substantial donation enabled the construction and operation of the renowned Bissell Library, named in his honor, which is one of the largest academic libraries in Southeastern Europe.
In 2022, thanks to his generous financial contributions, the new Anatolia Elementary School campus was completed. In recognition of his support, the new wing housing the school’s classrooms was named the Bissell Wing.
