Emir Alkaş RC 99 Believes Sports Teaches Lessons Critical to Corporate Life

“Sports teach humility.”

 Emir Alkaş’s involvement in sports at RC led him to a professional coaching career — and he continues to benefit from those experiences today as the Managing Partner at Inveon, a technology company. He is also active in the world of horse racing.

What was your involvement in sports at RC? 

I was deeply involved in basketball, both as a player and later as someone who enjoyed organizing and motivating others. I have very fond memories of our practices and the sense of camaraderie that came with representing the school. The beloved Dave Phillips had the strongest influence on me — as a basketball person, a coach, and a human being. He wasn’t just teaching us how to play; he was teaching us how to compete, to work as a team, and to handle both wins and losses with perspective.

How did you decide to become a coach? 

I was lucky enough to volunteer at EuroBasket 2001 as part of the press team, where I happened to catch the attention of people from Efes Pilsen (as it was called then) and was offered a coaching position. I enjoyed strategy, communication, and seeing players improve — so stepping into a coaching role felt more like a continuation than a change. I assisted top-level coaches such as Mahmuti, Blatt, Memnun, and Ataman. The most rewarding part was seeing players unlock potential they didn’t know they had. The most challenging part was balancing expectations — helping each athlete grow individually while maintaining team cohesion and competitiveness.

What role does sports play in your life today?
Today, I am the Managing Partner at Inveon, a company that builds e-commerce technologies and digital growth solutions. Sports still play a major role in my life — not just as a pastime, but as a mindset. They remain a constant reminder of discipline, analysis, and resilience — all qualities that also define my professional life.

How did you get involved in horse racing? What qualities make it unique as a sport?
Horses have been part of a family tradition started by my grandfather, Avram Barokas, in the 1970s. I currently run an equine operation in four countries — Turkey, Ireland, France, and the United States — under my family’s name. Horse racing is unique because it brings together science and instinct: genetics, training, and management on one hand, and the unpredictability of live competition on the other. It’s a sport that rewards patience, knowledge, and intuition in equal measure.

How do the skills learned through sports translate to corporate life — or do they?
They absolutely do. Sports teach you how to build teams, handle pressure, and compete fairly — all crucial lessons in business. In both fields, success relies on preparation, adaptability, and leadership. You also learn humility: sometimes the best strategy still doesn’t yield the desired result, and you have to adjust — not complain.

RC Singers Rocks the Stage

From Indian melodies to Brazilian beats – RC Singers opened the Autumn Teachers’ Conference with precision, poise, and the unmistakable RC spirit.

Opening in Perfect Harmony

RC Singers set the tone for the Autumn Teachers’ Conference

The RC Singers took the stage at the opening ceremony of this year’s Autumn Teachers’ Conference with four pieces that traveled across cultures – from Indian to Brazilian tunes. Despite a packed exam schedule and limited rehearsal time, they delivered a performance of remarkable unity, precision, and heart.

Their finale, the beloved RC Singers classic Suda Balık, brought the audience to its feet with endless applause and cheers. The group’s energy, discipline, and joy in music once again reminded everyone what dedication, and a little RC magic, can achieve.

Follow @rcsingerss on Instagram for more performances and behind-the-scenes moments.

RC Department of Turkish Language and Literature Held 20th Culture and Literature Symposium

The theme: Remembering Genco Erkal RC 57
Contributed by Mehmet Uysal, Head of the Department of Turkish Language and Literature

When deciding on a theme for our 20th Culture and Literature Symposium, the faculty of the Turkish Language and Literature Department unanimously agreed to dedicate it to our alumnus, Genco Erkal, who passed away in July 2024. Erkal was not only one of our graduates but also an artist of great stature in Turkey and around the world. As a department deeply devoted both to the school where he was nurtured and to the theater itself, we felt it was our duty and responsibility to honor him in this way.

We immediately set to work, formed our organizing committee, and began preparations. We reached out to our guest speakers and finalized all the details. The event was held on October 11, 2025.

 

RC Head of School Whitman Shepard delivered the opening remarks, and Nilhan Çetinyamaç, Turkish Director and Associate Head of Robert College, was by our side throughout, as always. Actress, director, and playwright Yeşim Özsoy RC 90 moderated the discussions.

Our guests included Genco Erkal’s daughter Ayşe Erkal, academician and theater critic Dikmen Gürün ACG 61, actress Çiğdem Selışık ACG 60, actor and playwright Haluk Özenç RC 88, actress Meral Onuktav Çetinkaya ACG 65, director of the Genco documentary Selçuk Metin, and actress Tülay Günal.

Thanks to the valuable contributions of these distinguished guests, we held one of the most memorable and enjoyable symposiums in recent years. The discussions highlighted Genco Erkal’s lifelong journey in theater, which began at RC, and his lasting contributions to Turkish theater. Many heartfelt memories were shared throughout the day.

We are also grateful to the students from various grades who assisted us before and during the event, and to the many departments across the school whose support was invaluable. Our deepest gratitude goes to the teachers of the Turkish Language and Literature Department, who brought this symposium to life through their dedication and hard work.

Preparations for our 21st Culture and Literature Symposium are already underway!

Autumn Teachers’ Conference (ATC) 2025

Robert College served as the proud host of the 27th annual Autumn Teacher’s Conference (ATC) on Saturday, October 18th. ATC originated in 1997 with the aimof teacherssharing their best pedagogical practice within Türkiye. Since that time, it has been held on a Saturday, in the autumn, and only Covid has interrupted this tradition.

Our own, Cyrus Carter, co-founded ATC with the then UAA Head of School, John E. Heard. The idea was sparked by an Educational Collaborative for International Schools (ECIS) Conference held in Istanbul in 1996. After attending the conference, Cyrus and John reflected on how impactful that professional development experience was, and they believed a similar event was needed to enhance teaching and learning in Türkiye. According to Cyrus, they hoped to, “create a group of like minded people who like to share ideas.”

 

There are three foundational principles which are honored at every ATC:

  • Fostering an international perspective
  • Inspiring teachers to teach other teachers
  • Setting a productive venue for professional and social networking

From the outset, there have been five schools who rotate the hosting responsibilities:

Enka, Eyuboğlu, Koç, RC, and UAA. The schools were selected based on their academic standing and their English-based programs. Representatives of these schools serve on the ATC Steering Committee which meets regularly to oversee the annual conference and to support the current host-school.

RC has hosted ATC every five years since 1997 with a few exceptions due to external factors. Most recently, ATC was hosted at RC in 2018 and before that in 2013. This year was our fifth time serving as the host-school.  Hosting offers us the opportunity to share the great things that are happening at RC. We showcase our teaching and learning practice, our students’ accomplishments, and our commitment to maintaining the ideal campus and facilities to foster the learning and development of the RC community.

This year, the day proved a well-deserved success. The gates opened starting at 7:00 a.m. to 1,200 educators attending from 18+ schools from around the country. With  just under 300 presentations offered on a variety of subjects suitable for primary, middle, and secondary grade levels, as well as a leadership strand, it was a busy and rewarding experience.

 

The theme of this year’s conference was “Cyrus to Cyrus.” Drawing inspiration from our founding president, Cyrus Hamlin, who espoused an ethos of democratic ideals and rigorous scholarship, we directly linked that heritage to our beloved, contemporaneous school leader, Cyrus Carter. RC’s heritage of staying commited to innovative teaching and learning that inspires students to actively engage with their lives and the world beyond was celebrated.

 

Organizing the conference was a whole school effort. Planning started last spring and intensified at the start of this year. RC’s Steering Committee members: Tonguç Ozdaş, Dogan Aydenk, Emre Firat, and Maura Kelly invited key faculty and staff members to serve on subcommittees. Tirelessly, the Plant Office prepared the grounds and buildings to look their best, the Institutional Advancement Office promoted the conference, found vendors and sponsors, and coordinated the refreshments, the Business Office managed the fees and financing, the Technology Office secured the Wifi and tech needs of the day, and the Security team manned the gates and ensured the safety of all. Within the faculty, we had the essential help of our Level Deans, Head of SEIC, Head of Educational Research, and Dean of Regenerative and Innovative Education. Of the over 80 RC faculty members who attended around 45 presentations were offered.

 

The true superstars of the day were our RC students. 95 students served as ambassadors wearing bright blue t-shirts stating, “I can help.” They were carefully trained by Patricia Deo and J.T. Rehill to support tech needs, location finding, and overall guidance of our guests. For the first time at ATC, there were student presenters. Several of the RC faculty recruited students to co-present which greatly impressed the attendees.

 

The  day opened with a ceremony in the Suna Kiraç Theater that was emceed by two confident and composed RC students, L11 Cemre Sanlav, and L11 Kubilay Suat Eren. The flag bearers were L9 Inanç Kayan, and L10 Narin Aslan. Head of School, Whit Shephard, and Turkish Director, Nilhan Çetinyamaç, gave speeches that echoed the theme of the day: inspirational teaching makes a difference. A shining moment of the ceremony was the RC Singers performance under the direction of Koray Demirkapı. On that day, we highlighted that students are the heart of Robert College.

We are all proud to have fulfilled the legacy and expectations of our two Cyruses. The teaching community of Türkiye was welcomed warmly to our school where they were able to, in the words of Cyrus Carter, “create a connection, a bond among cities, and not just within branches but outside of their own sphere of teaching.” The tradition of great teaching and learning remains strong and central to the on-going story of Robert College.

 

 

Maura Kelly

Dean of Faculty

October 24, 2025

Erdoğan Esmerer RC 53

Erdoğan was a gentleman at heart; He radiated friendship, enjoyed life to the fullest and was always happy to assist any friend in need. One could usually see him dancing with a glass in his hand, at the bar of Ziya Restaurant, where he was a part owner. His friends used to gather around him to enjoy his company. He will be greatly missed. May he rest in peace. I would also like to express our gratitude to Tülin, his life long friend.

Contributed by Şeyma Bilimer Arsel ACG 60

Berna Yunusoğlu RC 74

Berna was the symbol of true friendship — a loving, caring soul who was always there when someone needed her. A bundle of sensations, a music lover, and an avid piano player, she carried a sensitivity that made her a thoughtful and genuine person. There was hardly anyone untouched by her warm and friendly presence; her kindness left lasting marks on all our hearts.

 

To those of us who truly knew her, she was more than a friend — she was an angel who brought warmth into our lives. Her memory and the love she so freely gave will forever live on in our hearts. Rest in peace, dear Berna. You will be remembered and cherished, always.

 

Contributed by Nesrin Gülsoy RC’74 & Nilgün Helvacıoğlu RC’74

Edib Kırdar RC ENG 55

Edib Emin Cemil Kırdar of Tempe, Arizona, passed away peacefully on October 3, 2025, at the age of 94, surrounded by family and close friends. A devoted son, brother, husband, father, godfather, friend, and community leader, Edib leaves behind a legacy of love, perseverance, and dedication to family, friends, and community, enriching all of us to be the best we can be.

Born on December 25, in Izmir, Turkey, Edib was the son of Emin and Nüzhet Kırdar. Though he was born in Turkey, his family’s hometown was Kirkuk, Iraq, where the Kirdar family history stretches back more than 300 years. The family’s deep ties to the region include the Haj Mustafa Kirdar Mosque, built in 1885 by his grandfather, a lasting spiritual and cultural landmark. Edib’s education included Istanbul’s Robert College, where he earned his civil engineering degree in 1955. He later pursued postgraduate studies at Arizona State University.

Edib arrived in Arizona in 1959 and embarked on a distinguished 32-year career at the Salt River Project (SRP). Rising to become Manager of the Office of International Affairs at SRP, he worked on water management projects across the globe. He was very proud of his work that took him to Turkey, Iraq, Egypt, Syria, Jordan, Iran, Yemen, Pakistan, China, and Indonesia under the auspices of USAID, where he shared expertise in irrigation and water operations. After retiring from SRP in December 1990, Edib spent a decade as Associate Faculty at Arizona State University, teaching “Cultural Understandings.” He also founded EK Associates, a consulting firm focused on international water training programs.

Edib’s professional life was matched by his civic engagement. He served on the Phoenix Committee of Foreign Relations beginning in 1978, serving three terms on the board and later as an Emeritus Board Member. He was also a proud and active member of the Turkish-American Association of Arizona, Lions Club, and Toastmasters. A dedicated Mason, he participated in Chandler Thunderbird Lodge No. 15, F. & A.M. of AZ. A naturalized U.S. citizen since 1977, Edib cherished the opportunities this country gave him while staying deeply connected to his heritage.

In 1962, Edib married the love of his life, Lale Zeynep Keymen “Zeyna,” and together they built their life in Arizona. Their marriage of 62 years was filled with devotion, compassion, and resilience. They raised two children, Leyla (married to James Haupert) and Murad (partner Matthew Simpson), and cherished their extended family of “fur-babies,” including six grand-dogs and one grand-bird.

After retirement, Edib and Zeyna spent summers at their home in Istanbul, where he loved walking along the Bosphorus. As a Christmas baby, he delighted in celebrating holidays with his children, family, and friends in places including California, Texas, New Mexico, and Arizona.

Edib valued faith, family, friends, and his country above all else. He took joy in community gatherings, travel, storytelling, and playing backgammon. His family and friends remember him as one of the kindest, most honorable, and generous people they had ever known. One of his longtime backgammon friends described him as “the epitome of a great American, someone who found their way here, worked hard, played by the rules, had a beautiful wife and family, and flourished.”

He is preceded in death by his beloved wife, his parents, and four of his five brothers. He is survived by his children and their partners, his brother Jamil, and the many relatives and friends who will forever remember his warmth, wisdom, and kindness. Edib told his children recently that he lived the best life imaginable and said, “Murad and Matt, along with Leyla and Jim, are my heroes, the pride and joy of my life. You all have made me the happiest father ever.”

Edib believed in and supported his son Murad with his nonprofit charitable work helping animals and families and spent this past summer with him and Matt in Santa Fe, making lasting memories. Donations can be made in Edib’s honor to Española Humane at https://www.espanolahumane.org/donate/ or mailed to:

Española Humane
Donation in Memory of Edib Kirdar
108 Hamm Parkway
Española, New Mexico 87532

 

Leyla Haupert

Güler Bozkurt ACG 71

Güler Bozkurt, 74, passed away peacefully on July 16, 2025.

 

Born and raised in Istanbul, she was a dedicated graduate of the American College for Girls, Senior Class of 1971.

 

Starting her career in the early 70s in the publishing world in Istanbul, she’d worked as an editor and a translator specializing in tax legislation.

 

In the 90s, she’d moved to Boston. Her prior experience was indeed valuable as she started working as a legal research assistant at a renown Boston Investment Bank & Law Firm, and later on for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.

 

After retirement, she settled down in a tranquil little village in Bodrum, where she acquired an olive grove and focused on sustainable farming.

 

Apart from gardening and producing her very own cold press early harvest extra virgin olive oil, she spent much of her time traveling with her daughter throughout Anatolia’s breathtaking national parks and archaeological sites.

 

Güler was preceded in death by her husband, Haluk Bayrakdaroğlu (RC YÜK ’71), and her elder daughter Gülen Bayrakdaroğlu. She is survived by her younger daughter, Zeynep Bayrakdaroğlu.  

 

Güler will be remembered for her profound compassion, unwavering integrity, and remarkable generosity. She was an exceptionally devoted mother and a truly compatible travel companion. She will be terribly missed, a sentiment that hardly captures the depth of our grief.

 

Urcun Oğuz RA 61

September of 1953. Beginning of Robert College’s Preparatory Year. Our first meeting

with Dear Urcun. Our classrooms, our dormitories… We are both boarding students

spending all our days in the same building. Lessons, recesses, after-class sports

activities. We are together all the time. Urcun goes home for the weekends, returning

each Sunday evening with new and interesting stories.

His special talent in languages was even exceeded by his perfect abilities in all fields of

sports. Our memories start with football and basketball games.

These, whenever the opportunity arose, were followed by Kadıköy Community Center Gym,

training sessions of Fenerbahçe Star Basketball Team. He must have received his first sportsmen’s’ license in1957. He later on continued his successful achievements at the Fenerbahçe Junior Team following an intelligent, agile and talented line of continuously improving success.

He attended the Political Science Faculty for two years after high school. After leaving, he spent

nearly a year in Paris learning French. When he returned to Istanbul in 1966, he passed the

Counseling and Guidance Exams, a different field in which he was engaged for a few years.

Meanwhile, he continued his ambitious search for the meaning of life! India, Kathmandu,

the Gurus… a different philosophy. Marriage and divorce. Peace and close friends

and acquaintances sought and found in Bodrum and Gümüşlük…We used to spend

hours of chats to catch up with each other before going to Bodrum in summers. When I

called him this year I was told that he was at the hospital. Later on, I had the chance to visit him

at his home. A short visit… recalling some memories and enjoying old photographs…

When I wanted to visit him again three days later on 10 August, I was confronted with

the inconsolable news.

An extraordinary personality…. A very special person… He is now undoubtedly Resting

in Peace ……

Contributed by Kemal Noyan RA61/RC65

Cem Hakyemez RA 67

Having graduated from the ‘Orta’ school of the Talas American College in 1964, Cem joined Robert Academy the same year, and rapidly transformed into a leading member of our RA ’67 class.  He was a superb entertainer, a prolific singer, a kind, sharing and caring friend in the three years we were together on the Bebek campus. He had a tremendous energy for joy and fun, and was a gentle legend, assuming lots of nicknames which he so positively tolerated. 

He then enrolled at Istanbul University graduating in Economics in 1971, leaving for France for a lifetime career, settling down near Bordeaux, where he lived with his lovely wife Mireille, who survives him together with their two children Vincent and Helene. He was a frequent participant to our class reunions in Istanbul never feeling apart and distant. 

Cem was an outstanding man as an exceptional character and a true friend. He was kind, loving and sincere to everyone around him and in fact for everything existing in nature. He was also an inborn gifted actor with incredible sense of humor making him stand out as a source of  joy and happiness where ever he is. He is unforgettable, and will be missed a lot by everyone who who had the privilege to know him…

Cem passed away in June 2025 but will always live in our hearts and minds. We will cherish the most wonderful memories of his time with us. May he Rest in Peace.

 

Robert Academy, 

Class of 1967