Demirkan Aşetey RC 76 Art Competition Celebrates Student Creativity

The works display a remarkable range of talent.

Established more than two decades ago by the Class of 76 in memory of their classmate Demirkan Aşetey, the Demirkan Aşetey RC 76 Art Competition continues to provide Robert College students with an opportunity to share their creativity and explore new forms of artistic expression.

The works exhibited this year reflected the remarkable range of talent within the RC community. Beyond their technical skill, the pieces revealed the curiosity, thoughtfulness, and originality that characterize the RC education. Through a variety of mediums and approaches, students engaged with ideas, emotions, and perspectives in ways that invited reflection and conversation.

Adding special meaning to this year’s competition was the participation of a distinguished jury consisting of Maria Sezer, Gül Ilgaz, and Nancy Atakan – beloved former RC arts teachers and accomplished artists who have inspired generations of students. Drawing on decades of experience as both teachers and practitioners, they generously shared their expertise, offering thoughtful feedback and artistic perspective that enriched the experience for all participants.

The competition remains a meaningful tribute to Demirkan Aşetey while fostering a culture of creativity on campus. It also reflects the lasting impact of alumni support, which helps create opportunities for students to discover, develop, and share their talents. Continuing this tradition, Enigül Sönmez RC 76 attended the award ceremony, underscoring the enduring connection between alumni and the students whose creativity the competition celebrates today.

This year Berra Karaer RC 27, Defne Su Baysal RC 27, Mervan Uyan RC 28, Kaan Ayyıldız RC 27, Ece Akbaş RC 26, İrem Aktuğ RC 26, Zeynep Su Bayam RC 26 and Cemre Deren Kangallı RC 26 were recognized for the creativity, originality, and artistic vision reflected in their work. Through initiatives such as this, generations of RC students are encouraged to approach the world with imagination, confidence, and a spirit of inquiry.

 

 

 

Opening Doors Through Art

The Özlem Akçakuş RC 97 Art Scholarship continues to nurture the next generation of Robert College artists.

For nearly two decades, the Özlem Akçakuş RC 97 Art Scholarship has encouraged Robert College students to explore the world through art. Established in 2006 by Özlem Akçakuş’s family and classmates in to honor her love for the arts, the scholarship has enabled talented young artists to attend internationally renowned summer programs, broadening their creative horizons and inspiring new directions in their artistic journeys.

This year’s scholarship recipients, Ayliz Çıldır and Zeynep Su Bayam, continued that tradition. Their work was on display in the Gould Corridor, offering the RC community a glimpse into two distinct artistic voices shaped by curiosity, experimentation, and creative exploration. Both students were accepted to the Summer Program at the School of Visual Arts in New York, one of the world’s leading art and design schools. Ayliz Çıldır, an illustrator, explored storytelling through interactive illustrations that invited viewers to engage with her work. Zeynep Su Bayam, a book artist, approached narrative through an inventive artist’s book that highlighted the expressive possibilities of form and material.

Reflecting on the scholarship’s impact, RC Art Department Head Alex Downs emphasized its role in encouraging students to broaden their artistic perspectives. The work of both students, he noted, exemplified the richness and diversity that emerge from exploring different facets of artistic practice.

Since its establishment, the Özlem Akçakuş RC 97 Art Scholarship has continued to open doors for young artists, creating opportunities for creative exploration, personal growth, and new experiences. The Gould Corridor exhibition served as a reminder that its greatest impact lies not only in the journeys it makes possible, but also in the artists those journeys help shape.

 

Excellence in Science Award Honors A Legacy of Inspiration

A sister’s tribute is a source of motivation.

The Prof. Seyhan Nurettin Eğe ACG 49 Excellence in Science Award for Girls was presented in April 2026, recognizing Ece RC 27 for her outstanding dedication to the sciences. Established in 2010 by Güneş Eğe Akter ACG 52, the award honors the memory of her sister, Prof. Seyhan Nurettin Eğe ACG 49, an accomplished scientist and educator whose passion for science inspired generations of students.

Each year, the award recognizes a Lise 11 female student selected by the Science Department for her commitment, curiosity, and achievement in the sciences. Beyond celebrating academic excellence, the award seeks to encourage young women to pursue their interests in science and to imagine the possibilities that lie ahead.

This year’s ceremony featured a keynote address by Prof. Dr. Özge Karadağ RC 97, Chair of the Department of Public Health at Bahçeşehir University Faculty of Medicine. Speaking to students, faculty, and guests, she reflected on the importance of scientific inquiry, perseverance, and the role of women in advancing knowledge and improving lives.

The 2026 ceremony was the second since the passing of Güneş Eğe Akter in January 2025. Through her vision and generosity, she created a lasting tribute to her sister while opening doors for future generations of young scientists at Robert College. Among those attending this year’s ceremony was Çiğdem Yazıcıoğlu, a former member of the Institutional Advancement team who played an important role in the establishment of the award, making the occasion a meaningful reflection on the people whose dedication helped bring this enduring legacy to life.

Today, the award stands as a powerful example of how one family’s commitment can continue to inspire students year after year. By recognizing and encouraging talented young women such as Ece, the legacy of Seyhan Eğe and Güneş Eğe Akter continues to shape the future of science, one student at a time.

RC Olympics: Climbing Higher Together

What began as the revival of a beloved tradition has quickly become one of Robert College’s signature community events. From friendly competition and lifelong friendships to the debut of Virtual Everesting, RC Olympics 2026 brought generations of the RC family together, on campus and around the world.

The ringing of the Robert College bell by Head of School Whitman Shepard officially opened RC Olympics 2026, setting the stage for a day of competition, camaraderie, and community. Before long, Mr. Shepard had traded the podium for the table tennis court, joining the tournament himself and proving that RC Olympics is about participation as much as competition.

More than 800 alumni, students, faculty, staff, parents, families, and friends gathered on campus for the second edition of RC Olympics – Everest and Beyond, transforming Robert College into a vibrant celebration of sport, friendship, and giving back. Building on the success of its inaugural year, RC Olympics returned larger than ever, welcoming nearly twice as many participants and firmly establishing itself as one of the Robert College community’s newest traditions.

A Campus Alive with Community

Throughout the day, basketball, football, volleyball, and table tennis tournaments filled the courts with friendly competition, while yoga sessions, walking activities, children’s games, music, and food created a festive atmosphere enjoyed by all generations.

Some alumni returned to campus for the first time in decades. Others reunited with classmates they had not seen for years, while many met fellow alumni for the very first time. Students competed alongside graduates, faculty cheered from the sidelines, families explored the campus together, and volunteers worked tirelessly behind the scenes. Everywhere you looked, the day was filled with laughter, encouragement, and the unmistakable feeling of belonging that defines the Robert College community.

Beyond the competitions themselves, RC Olympics has become much greater than a sporting event. It has become an opportunity for the entire RC family to reconnect, celebrate, and create new memories together.

Everesting Reaches New Heights

One of the day’s defining experiences was once again Everesting, the endurance challenge that is rapidly becoming an RC legacy.

Originally conceived by Ahmet Uysal RC 90, the challenge invites teams to repeatedly climb the campus hill in pursuit of ambitious elevation goals, relying on teamwork, perseverance, and encouragement rather than individual achievement alone.

This year, ten teams embraced the challenge with extraordinary determination. Every ascent became a shared accomplishment as teammates encouraged one another to keep climbing. At the end of the day, İstanbul Ruck Squad emerged as Everesting Champion, but every participant embodied the spirit that has made the challenge one of RC Olympics’ most beloved traditions.

From the RC Hill to the World Just when it seemed Everesting could not grow any further, it did.

One of the most exciting innovations of RC Olympics 2026 was the launch of Virtual Everesting, a brilliant initiative developed by Ahmet Uysal RC 90 and Ozan Başeğmez RC 90 that enabled alumni to participate from anywhere in the world.

The first virtual team, RC 90 World, led the way, bringing together classmates climbing from San Francisco, Florida, Basel, Madrid, Riyadh, Baku, and İstanbul. Inspired by the success of the initiative, two additional teams from the Class of RC 89, driven by the enthusiasm and leadership of Zümrüt Alp Yalman RC 89, also joined the challenge.

Rather than climbing together on campus, participants selected routes in their own cities, completed their ascents individually, and contributed every climb toward their team’s collective goal. Although separated by thousands of kilometres, they shared the same determination, the same teamwork, and the same Robert College spirit.

The inaugural Virtual Everesting Championship was won by RC 90 World, while every virtual participant received a commemorativecertificate recognizing them as pioneers of what promises to become one of RC Olympics’ defining traditions.

Virtual Everesting demonstrated something remarkable: wherever Robert College alumni may live, they remain part of one community. We hope alumni groups around the world are already planning—and training—for next year’s challenge.

Competition, Camaraderie, and Giving Back

The excitement extended across every competition. Basketball, football, volleyball, and table tennis all attracted record participation, with alumni and students competing side by side in a spirit of sportsmanship and friendly rivalry.

Table tennis champion Aykut Cem Safoğlu RC 89 claimed victory after defeating a highly competitive field that included Head of School Whitman Shepard himself. RC 22 celebrated championships in both basketball and football, while students impressed across several competitions, particularly on the football field.

Yet perhaps the most meaningful achievement of the day extended beyond medals and trophies.

Every registration, sponsorship, and donation supported the Robert College Scholarship Fund, and together our community raised $60,000, helping ensure that talented students will continue to benefit from a Robert College education for generations to come.

Already Looking Ahead

An event of this scale is only possible through collaboration. We extend our heartfelt thanks to our alumni volunteers, organizing committee, sponsors, faculty, staff, students, families, and every member of the RC community who participated, cheered on the athletes, joined us virtually from around the world, or contributed in any way to bringing RC Olympics to life.

We are especially grateful to our alumni sponsors and contributors, whose generosity supported both the event and the Robert College Scholarship Fund, helping us raise $60,000 to provide life-changing educational opportunities for future generations of Robert College students. As the campus gradually grew quiet once again, one thing had become unmistakably clear. RC Olympics is no longer simply a sporting event. It has become one of the defining annual celebrations of the Robert College community—a tradition that brings generations together, strengthens lifelong friendships, supports future students, and now reaches far beyond the Robert College campus.

From one hill in Arnavutköy to cities across the globe, the Robert College community climbed higher together. And this is only the beginning.

We look forward to welcoming you back to campus for RC Olympics 2027 on Sunday, May 30, 2027. Save the date!

 

A Community That Lasts a Lifetime

A year of new ideas, growing traditions, and global connections. From Virtual Everesting and RC Community Entrepreneurs Bond (RCCEB) to alumni events around the world and the transformation of RCQ, these are some of the initiatives that helped shape another memorable year for the RC community.

Robert College has always been more than a school. For generations of alumni, it has been a source of lifelong friendships, shared experiences, professional connections, and a sense of belonging that extends far beyond graduation.

Keeping those connections strong requires opportunities to reconnect, engage, participate, and contribute. Throughout the past year, members of the Robert College community came together on campus, around the world, and online through initiatives designed to strengthen the ties that unite generations of alumni.

Homecoming once again welcomed alumni back to campus for reunions, celebrations, family activities, the Dave Phillips Memorial Game, and milestone class anniversaries. Throughout the year, alumni also gathered at events in San Francisco, Los Angeles, San Diego, New York, London, Boston, Seattle, and Düsseldorf, demonstrating that the Robert College community continues to thrive across generations and across the globe. The campus itself remained an important gathering place, welcoming alumni back for lectures, performances, award ceremonies, athletic events, and special celebrations that offered opportunities to reconnect with classmates, meet fellow graduates, and remain engaged in the life of the school.

One of the year’s most exciting developments was the continued evolution of the Robert College Olympics and Everesting. Following the successful revival of the event by alumni volunteers last year, this year’s edition expanded beyond campus in an entirely new way. Alumni from around the world formed virtual Everesting teams and climbed together from their own cities, transforming a one-day campus event into a truly global Robert College experience. What began as an ambitious idea demonstrated the power of technology to bring together a community separated by geography but united by shared purpose. As this tradition continues to grow, we look forward to welcoming even more virtual participants from around the world in the years ahead.

The entrepreneurial spirit of the RC community also inspired the creation of the Robert College Community Entrepreneurs Bond (RCCEB). First introduced during the West Coast alumni trip, the initiative quickly gained momentum, bringing together entrepreneurs from different generations to foster collaboration, mentorship, and new opportunities. The enthusiasm surrounding RCCEB also inspired this year’s RCQ cover theme, RC: A Start-Up Factory.

Staying connected also depends on meaningful communication. Throughout the year, alumni received newsletters, event invitations, and community updates highlighting life on campus and opportunities A Community That Lasts a Lifetime A year of new ideas, growing traditions, and global connections. From Virtual Everesting and RC Community Entrepreneurs Bond (RCCEB) to alumni events around the world and the transformation of RCQ, these are some of the initiatives that helped shape another memorable year for the RC community. Ali İhsan İzbul RC 95, Consul General in Düsseldorf, welcomed Robert College alumni from across Europe to the Residence of the Consul General of the Republic of Türkiye for a gathering initiated by the Institutional Advancement Team Homecoming is where old memories are celebrated and new ones are made—for every generation of the RC family to reconnect. This year also marked an exciting milestone for Robert College Quarterly. Building on its long history as the school’s flagship alumni publication, RCQ has evolved into a dynamic digital platform where stories from campus and across the alumni community can be shared more frequently, more interactively, and with a much broader reach. Together with the school’s social media channels, the new digital RCQ is helping create a more connected and engaged community throughout the year.

Understanding our community is just as important as connecting it. This year’s Alumni Research provided valuable insight into alumni perspectives, helping guide future engagement efforts while reaffirming the importance of listening to the voices of our community.

The Institutional Advancement Team also contributed to major institutional initiatives throughout the year, including communications surrounding the NYSAIS accreditation process and the Autumn Teachers Conference, while continuing to work closely with alumni volunteers, class agents, donors, faculty, staff, and students to strengthen relationships across every part of the Robert College community.

At its heart, every gathering, publication, event, network, and initiative described here serves the same purpose: helping members of the RC community remain connected to a place that continues to shape their lives long after graduation. None of these initiatives would be possible without the enthusiasm and generosity of our alumni, volunteers, class agents, event hosts, speakers, donors, faculty, staff, students, and friends. Their time, expertise, ideas, and support transform projects into lasting traditions and ensure that Robert College remains not only a school with a remarkable history, but a vibrant community whose greatest strength has always been its people.

ReConnecting, Engaging, Building

This year, the theme of ReConnecting resonated throughout the Robert College family. Across continents and generations, alumni, parents, students, faculty, and friends renewed relationships, forged new ones, and strengthened the bonds that make RC such a remarkable institution.

As the Institutional Advancement Team, we have the privilege of nurturing these relationships every day. Through alumni engagement, communications, fundraising, and new initiatives, we help create opportunities for future generations to benefit from a Robert College education.

This year, we saw inspiring examples of the commitment that defines our alumni and friends. Homecoming and gatherings across the United States and Europe brought people together once again. Donors continued to invest in the future of the school – some making transformational commitments, while many others contributed through gifts of every size – while volunteers generously shared their time, ideas, and expertise. Together, these contributions reaffirm what has always distinguished Robert College: enduring relationships rooted in a shared belief in the value and impact of an RC education.

Looking ahead, we are excited to launch new initiatives that will create even more opportunities for alumni to engage with one another and with the school. Alongside the RC Community Entrepreneurs Bond, featured in this issue, we are excited to introduce the RC Directory, an interactive platform designed to strengthen connections among alumni. We will also develop a new arts initiative that will bring together artists and art enthusiasts while supporting the school through the arts, offering a meaningful new way to collaborate, share ideas, and give back.

RC has always been enriched by alumni who generously volunteer their time, knowledge, and experience, and I extend my heartfelt thanks to each of them. If you have ever considered becoming more involved, I warmly encourage you to reach out. Whatever your expertise, interests, or stage of life, there are countless ways to contribute. Every new idea, shared skill, and helping hand helps ensure that RC’s legacy of excellence and generosity continues to thrive for generations to come.

Finally, I would like to thank the members of the RCQ Editorial Board whose service concluded this year for their dedication and invaluable contributions to this publication. I also extend a warm welcome to our new Editorial Board members, and I look forward to working together as we continue to build a community where every story strengthens our shared legacy and every connection helps shape Robert College’s future.

From Vision to Reality: The Solar Farm Begins Production

Three years ago, when Robert College adopted its 2023–2028 Strategic Plan, one of its goals was both ambitious and practical: to explore how the school could reduce its environmental footprint while strengthening its financial sustainability. Today, that vision is producing electricity.

In spring 2026, the Robert College Solar Farm in Manisa officially became operational. Fully funded through designated donations from members of the RC community and friends of the school, the project is expected to generate approximately 1.9 million kilowatt-hours of electricity annually – enough to meet Robert College’s entire electricity needs.

As concerns about climate change and responsible resource management became increasingly urgent, Robert College began exploring ways to align its operations with the values it seeks to instill in its students. The Solar Farm Project became one of the most tangible expressions of that effort.

The initiative reflected another important priority identified in the Strategic Plan: resource optimization. By offsetting a substantial portion of the school’s energy costs, the solar farm is expected to generate significant long-term savings. Those resources can then be directed toward RC’s educational priorities, helping strengthen scholarships and support future students.

The road from concept to completion required the efforts of many individuals over several years. Former Head of School Adam Oliver played an important role in advancing the initiative. Trustee Osman Nalbantoğlu RC 91, members of the Robert College Foundation and the solar company’s board, including Gonca Gürsoy Artunkal RC 85 and Ayşe Demirel Atakan RC 99, provided leadership throughout the process. The project also benefited from the guidance and support of Hüseyin Tığlı RA 71, Ümran Üngün RC 70, Korkut Öztürkmen  RC 91, and many others who helped move the initiative forward.

Equally important was the generosity of the donors who believed in the project. Alumni, trustees, parents, and friends of the school came together to create a source of clean energy that would serve RC for decades to come. Their support enabled the project to move forward without requiring internal capital allocation from the school.

For students, the significance of the project extends beyond the electricity it generates. It offers a visible example of how long-term thinking can be translated into action. Just as previous generations invested in scholarships, facilities, and programs that continue to benefit students today, the solar farm represents an investment whose impact will be felt by future students, many of whom have not yet arrived on campus.

The solar farm is expected to operate for approximately twenty-five years. It stands as an example of what can happen when a community comes together around a shared goal. What began as an idea in a strategic plan has become a working source of renewable energy – one that will support Robert College, its students, and its legacy for years to come.

Solar Farm Project Leaders Osman Nalbantoğlu RC 91, TR Eczacıbaşı Family Bülent Eczacıbaşı Oya Eczacıbaşı, TE Emre Eczacıbaşı RC 02 Esra Eczacıbaşı Coşkun RC 07, TR  Hüsnü Özyeğin RA 63 İpek Gürdamar Üstündağ RC 82 Hüseyin Tığlı RA 71 SUPPORTERS Gonca Gürsoy Artunkal RC 85, TR Seda Binbaşgil RC 79 and Hakan Binbaşgil RC 79, TR Mark Butler, TE Catherine Cuthell and David Cuthell, TE Erol Hakanoğlu RC 74, TR, Board Chair Patricia Hayot, TE Prof. Gülru Necipoğlu Kafadar RC 75 and Prof. Cemal Kafadar RC 73, TR Başak Ötüş Koraltürk RC 06, TR and Alpay Koraltürk RC 04 Kaan Okurer RC 92 Adam Oliver, Former Head of School Can Özbal RC 88 Prof. Çağan Şekercioğlu RC 93, TR

The Baruh Family Naming Gift Supports Intellectual Curiosity

The social sciences encourage students to ask thoughtful questions, consider different perspectives, and better understand the people, societies, and ideas that shape our world. At Robert College, these qualities have long been central to a liberal arts education. This year, one of the school’s graduation awards entered a new chapter. Following a naming gift by the Baruh family, it will be known as The Baruh Family Social Sciences Award. Named for Robert College alumni Alber Baruh RC 48 and his son Jak Baruh RC 72, it continues a long tradition of recognizing excellence in the field.

The award is presented each year to one female and one male graduating student who, in the opinion of the Social Sciences Department, merit special recognition for their interest and proficiency in the discipline. It celebrates students whose curiosity, intellectual engagement, and commitment to learning have distinguished them throughout their years at Robert College. The naming of the award reflects the Baruh family’s enduring relationship with Robert College. In addition to supporting students through annual scholarships and a Centennial Scholarship, the family has chosen to associate its name with an award that recognizes the habits of mind fostered through the study of the social sciences.

As future recipients take the stage, the award will continue to honor not only academic excellence, but also the curiosity, thoughtful inquiry, and openness to different perspectives that have long been hallmarks of a Robert College education.

Hüseyin Tığlı RA 71 Gives Back to Strengthen the RC Community

Some gifts support a single project. Others shape the future of an institution.

Through one of the most significant philanthropic commitments in Robert College’s recent history, Hüseyin Tığlı RA 71 is helping shape nearly every aspect of school life. His comprehensive support package includes the Solar Farm Project; the creation of an innovation center in the renewed Feyyaz Berker Hall; the founding of the RC Community Entrepreneurs Bond (RCCEB); the newly established Hüseyin Tığlı Award, recognizing students who exemplify Robert College’s Core Values; expanded scholarship support; and initiatives that strengthen alumni engagement.

The breadth of this commitment reflects a relationship with Robert College that has come full circle. Born in Eğirdir, Isparta, Hüseyin Tığlı earned a full scholarship to Robert Academy after placing second in the entrance examination. The opportunity transformed his life, opening the door to bachelor’s and master’s degrees in Chemical Engineering from Columbia University, an MBA from Harvard Business School, and a distinguished international career as a business leader, entrepreneur, investor, and mentor.

For many years, Robert College remained a cherished memory rather than an active part of his life. That changed when he returned to campus and rediscovered the institution through conversations with students, faculty, and school leadership. What began as a reunion soon became a renewed commitment to helping future generations benefit from the same life-changing opportunities he had once received.

is contribution extends well beyond philanthropy. He hosted Robert College’s first alumni gathering in San Diego, helping reconnect graduates on the U.S. West Coast, and played an instrumental role in conversations that inspired the creation of the Robert College Community Entrepreneurs Bond (RCCEB). Whether through leadership, mentorship, or generosity, he continues to strengthen the Robert College community.

There is a fitting symmetry to his story. A scholarship once changed the course of one student’s life. Today, his extraordinary commitment is creating opportunities for countless others, ensuring that future generations of Robert College students can begin journeys of their own.

Yırcalı Family Reinforces a Tradition of Service

Long before students receive their diplomas, many leave a different kind of mark on Robert College through their involvement in the Community Involvement Program (CIP).

For decades, the CIP Award has recognized students whose dedication to community engagement reflects some of the school’s most deeply held values: initiative, collaboration, respect, and a desire to create lasting, meaningful impact. It honors those who understand that leadership is measured not only by personal achievement, but also by service to others.

This year, that longstanding tradition entered a new chapter.

Following a naming gift by Rona Yırcalı RA 64 and his son Sırrı Yırcalı RC 93, the award will be presented as The Yırcalı Family CIP Award, linking the Yırcalı family name with one of Robert College’s most enduring student traditions.

Presented in honor of two generations of the Yırcalı family, the award recognizes students who have made exceptional contributions to the Community Involvement Program through participatory, proactive, sustainable, productive, respectful, and collaborative projects.

By naming this award, the Yırcalı family has reinforced a tradition that has shaped generations of Robert College students. Their support ensures that one of the school’s enduring recognitions will continue to honor those who dedicate themselves to serving others.

Each year, as recipients take the stage, the award will recognize more than outstanding contributions to the Community Involvement Program. It will also serve as a reminder that some of the most meaningful achievements are measured not only by individual success, but by the positive impact we make together.