For a consecutive year, AUBG brought together its community of supporters to celebrate the people who continue to believe in the institution and shape its course through their generosity and commitment.
The heart-warming evening once again proved that AUBG is defined by its community and the values it carries forward – trust, courage, and the belief that education can transform lives.
A community of support and impact
The event opened with remarks by Student Government representatives Mariam Arakelyan and Radko Mishev, who expressed gratitude for the opportunities made possible through donor support.
They highlighted the impact of giving, describing donors as “the invisible ones” who quietly but consistently contribute to meaningful change. Through their support, students are not only receiving an education but are also encouraged to challenge the status quo, think critically, and become what they called “constructive troublemakers.”
“Your belief in us gives us the courage to change what isn’t working, to trust our potential, and to work towards a better future,” they shared.
They then invited Provost and Interim President Dr. J.D. Mininger to the stage, who expressed his deep gratitude to the AUBG supporters:
“Thank you to all of you for the action you take in hoping for a better future for AUBG. Thank you to all of you who give in so many different ways. Some give of time, some give of money, some give of expertise, but all give in some ways of yourselves, of your families, and of your loved ones.”
He then reflected on why people choose to give back, noting: “At the core of everything we do is the desire to see lives transformed. That is why we give.”
Celebrating outstanding contributions
A highlight of the evening was the awards ceremony, recognizing individuals and partners whose contributions have had a lasting impact on AUBG.
Svetozar Georgiev (‘00) receives the Panitza Visionary Award
This year’s Dimi and Yvonne Panitza Visionary Award was presented to Svetozar Georgiev (‘00), an entrepreneur, philanthropist, and long-standing supporter of AUBG. The distinction is awarded to individuals who demonstrate exceptional leadership and a lasting contribution to the development of the university.
As an alumnus, former Board of Trustees member, and active community member, Georgiev has consistently contributed his time, expertise, and resources to the university.
In his remarks, he highlighted the long-term impact of giving: “I am grateful for this award, named after Dimi and Yvonne Panitza, who saw something special in AUBG decades ago and helped catalyze a change in the region.
“For me, it’s been a truly a rewarding experience to support AUBG in different shapes and forms. The very thought that what we do every hour, every dollar spent makes a huge difference, is what makes me keep going forward.”
Rene (‘00) and Daniel (‘97) Tomov honored for alumni and corporate impact
Rene (‘00) and Daniel (‘97) Tomov received the Alumni and Corporations Award for their exceptional role in nurturing entrepreneurship within and beyond AUBG.
Through Eleven Ventures and their work with the AUBG Elevate Accelerator, they have helped students and young entrepreneurs turn ideas into real-world ventures. Thanks to their contribution, entrepreneurship has become an integral part of the university’s identity.
“The accelerator is a dream come true, because when I was a student, I very much wanted to see more experiential learning at AUBG. And Elevate helped that become a reality,” shared Daniel Tomov.
“The moment I realized we had achieved our goal of building a truly valuable program was when I saw that students who had gone through it continued to contribute to its development.”
Professor Diego Lucci recognized with Faculty Award
In the “Faculty” category, Professor of Philosophy Dr. Diego Lucci was honored for his dedication to students and his long-term contribution to the development of the university community.
In presenting the award, Dr. J.D. Mininger said: “This award is in recognition of Diego’s dedication to teaching, his commitment to upholding AUBG’s tradition of academic excellence, and his collegial spirit across the university community.”
Although Prof. Lucci was unable to attend in person due to teaching commitments, he addressed the guests with a special video message, in which he remarked:
“I’ve made donations to AUBG because I believe it truly matters, especially when those funds go toward scholarships and financial aid for students who otherwise would not have the opportunity to study here.”
The event concluded with a cocktail reception and opportunities for inspiring conversations among members of the community, alumni, and corporate partners. Once again, the Donor Recognition Evening reaffirmed that the strength of AUBG lies not only in what it teaches, but in the people who believe in it and come together to build its future.
