50 years of Philosophical School

The establishment and commencement of operations of the School of Humanities in Rethymno in 1977 constituted a major event for the Greek press of the time, as they marked the decentralization of higher education institutions in Greece.

The publications of the time reflect the intense activity surrounding the staffing of the School of Humanities with leading academics, many of whom left positions at universities abroad to support the new endeavor in Crete.

The local and national press extensively covered the “historic premiere” of the University of Crete, while focusing on the innovation of the “unified” school (initially without departments) and on the personality of the first Dean (1977-1979), Giannis Kampitsis (1938-1990) A distinguished classical scholar, to whom the organization of the first years of operation is largely attributed. The first generation of faculty included personalities who left their mark on the academic identity of the school.

Report on the official opening ceremony of the school year in the press:

• Rethymniotika Nea and Kritiki Epitheorisi documented the enthusiasm of the local community for the establishment of the school in Perivolia (former buildings of the Pedagogical Academy), before its relocation to the current Gallos University Campus.
• Haniotika Nea (September 1977): Front-page headlines of the time reported that the School of Humanities in Rethymno was launching with 120 to 140 students and 12 distinguished professors.

Source: https://www.haniotika-nea.gr/1977-archizoyn-ta-athi-ata-sto-panepisti-io-kritis/