In 1977 I began my studies at the School of Civil Engineering of the National Technical University of Athens (NTUA). The following five years had a profound impact on my life and on my subsequent academic path. It was a period during which I was fortunate to be guided by outstanding professors, and to form friendships that remain alive to this day. It was also a time of general optimism in Greece, following the fall of the military dictatorship and the restoration of democracy.

Most of my courses were held at the historic Patission campus. At the time, NTUA had an exceptional teaching staff, with many internationally renowned professors, both as researchers and as teachers. Of all of them, the professor who exerted the greatest influence on me was Theodosios Tassios, whose work across many and diverse fields is legendary, and whose understanding of engineering was unparalleled. Equally remarkable was his ability to simplify extremely complex engineering problems, isolating their essential elements in a clear and comprehensible manner. Students from other departments — even from other universities — would come to attend his lectures. I was fortunate to have Professor Tassios supervise my diploma thesis. He was the ideal mentor. I had the unique opportunity and honour of spending a great deal of time with him discussing my work, to which he contributed substantially. Through those meetings, I discovered the depth of his knowledge across so many fields — from politics and philosophy to art and ancient Greek technology — and he was always willing to share his wisdom with me.

The friendships I made at NTUA have accompanied me throughout my life. I was incredibly lucky to be surrounded by gifted classmates who were also kind, compassionate, and eager to become my friends. We spent countless hours together: attending lectures (the rooms of the Gkinis building became our second home), studying (again in the Gkinis building!), dining together (at the school canteen or in the surrounding neighbourhoods), going to the cinema (Star Wars, The American Friend, Stalker, The Shining, Blade Runner, Raiders of the Lost Ark, and so many other films of that great era of cinema), dancing and having fun, travelling (the educational excursion to the hydroelectric dams of Western Greece — and the days that followed in Corfu — were unforgettable), and above all talking — about everything. Most of the time we agreed; on a few occasions we disagreed. But there was always that magic. More than 40 years after graduation, every time I see a former classmate, it is as though not a day has passed. These are the bonds that last forever.

When I arrived in New York to pursue my doctorate, I immediately understood that the five years at NTUA could not be replicated. And that was fine. NTUA gave me the solid foundation I needed to continue my studies at postgraduate level and to begin my academic career. That foundation, together with the countless and unforgettable memories, I will always carry with gratitude.