Turkish Cultural Center Vermont gives awards at Friendship Dinner

Award recipients (from left): Bonnie Tangalos, Sheriff Keith Clark, Jean O'Sullivan, Bill Sorrell, Yusuf Demir, Aostre Johnson, Eyup Sener, Jim Fogler, Burak Kararti, Tom Mercurio, Jon Pahl, Nancy Wright, Marilyn Cormier, Philip Conroy and Dziyana Aydin. / Courtesy photo
Award recipients (from left): Bonnie Tangalos, Sheriff Keith Clark, Jean O'Sullivan, Bill Sorrell, Yusuf Demir, Aostre Johnson, Eyup Sener, Jim Fogler, Burak Kararti, Tom Mercurio, Jon Pahl, Nancy Wright, Marilyn Cormier, Philip Conroy and Dziyana Aydin. / Courtesy photo


Date posted: December 1, 2013

The Turkish Cultural Center of Vermont held its first Friendship Dinner and Award Ceremony Wednesday at Burlington Sheraton Hotel Conference Center in South Burlington.

The Turkish Cultural Center is the Vermont’s premier source of information on Turkey, its history, culture and heritage. The group’s primary goal is to help improve the integration of the Turkic Society in the state of Vermont. This nonprofit, non-governmental organization is committed to community involvement and actively encourages international cultural exchanges via special events and projects such as business exchange, multicultural discussion forums and international trips to Turkey.

Gov. Peter Shumlin addresses the Turkish Cultural Center of Vermont's first Friendship Dinner and Award Ceremony.

Gov. Peter Shumlin addresses the Turkish Cultural Center of Vermont’s first Friendship Dinner and Award Ceremony.

The Friendship Dinner was a concept designed to promote diversity, peace and harmony among people and communities. The Friendship Dinner brought together more than 100 guests such as community leaders, local and international businessmen, spiritual leaders, elected officials, academics, friends and families.

Keynote speaker was Dr. Jon Pahl of the Lutheran Theological Seminary of Philadelphia.

The awards paid tribute to outstanding individuals and organizations whose contributions markedly strengthen peace, harmony and diversity. TCC recognizes and celebrate the altruism, philanthropy and selfless commitment of distinguished individuals or organizations working toward a better peaceful world.

The following awards were given out:

• Leadership Award: Gov. Peter Shumlin.

• Community Service Award: Attorney General Bill Sorrell.

• Media Award: Michael Townsend, executive editor, Burlington Free Press.

• Education Award: Aostre Johnson, professor at St. Michael’s College.

Source: Burlington Free Press , November 27, 2013

Tags: | | |


Related News

The Istanbul Cultural Center hopes to build bridges though food

The room at the Istanbul Cultural Center just off the FSU campus is filled with both men and women and lots and lots of children. Many of the women are wearing colorful headscarves and long buttoned coats. And most of the men are their husbands, some associated with the university as teachers or students, and others who have taken time away from their own professions in Turkey to accompany their wives who are completing graduate studies here.

Message of tolerance, peace expressed at GYV’s fast-breaking dinner

A message of tolerance, dialogue and coexistence for people of different faiths and ethnic backgrounds was dominant at a fast-breaking dinner organized by the Journalists and Writers Foundation (GYV) on Thursday. “We have capital no other than love, no intention other than serving humanity,” Mustafa Yeşil, head of the GYV, said at the fast-breaking dinner, […]

Canadian singer Loreena McKennitt praises Fethullah Gülen’s work

In her remarks, she recalled Gülen’s call for love, compassion, forgiveness and celebration of diversity for which she affirmed her full support. ‘I personally relate to Mr. Gülen’s ideas and his whole views very much. I think he has identified some very critical points up from which we must consider taking on our lives. I was very impressed about to hear his work and all the centers around the world that are supporting his work. I would love to support it by myself.’

Fethullah Gulen writes in WSJ: Muslims Must Combat the Extremist Cancer

It isn’t fair to blame Islam for the atrocities of violent radicals. But when terrorists claim the Muslim mantle, then they bear this identity, if only nominally. Thus members of the faith must do whatever possible to prevent this cancer from metastasizing in our communities. If we don’t, we’ll be partly responsible for the smeared image of our faith.

Erdogan Delivers Ultimatum: Washington Has to Choose Between Gulen and Turkey

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said that the United States must make a choice between Ankara and a movement led by US-based dissident Muslim cleric Fethullah Gulen. Ankara has accused Gulen and his followers of playing a key role in the July 15 attempted coup, which claimed lives of over 240 people.

Turkish groups call for global peace at historic İstanbul meeting

Inspired by esteemed Turkish Islamic scholar Fethullah Gülen, Turkish activists have established intercultural and interfaith organizations in more than 100 countries all around the world. The primary objective of these organizations is to encourage tolerance and build bridges across different ethnic and religious groups.

Latest News

European Human Rights Treaty Faces Legal And Political Tests

ECtHR rejects Turkey’s appeal, clearing path for retrials in Gülen-linked cases

Erdoğan’s Civil Death Project’ : The ‘politicide’ spanning more than a decade

Fethullah Gülen’s Vision and the Purpose of Hizmet

After Reunion: A Quiet Transformation Within the Hizmet Movement

Erdogan’s Failed Crusade: The World Rejects His War on Hizmet

Fethullah Gulen – man of education, peace and dialogue – passes away

Fethullah Gülen’s Condolence Message for South African Human Rights Defender Archbishop Desmond Tutu

Hizmet Movement Declares Core Values with Unified Voice

In Case You Missed It

Turkish investors eye Kenyan school sector

James Baker’s remarks about Fethullah Gulen and Gulen Movement

Inside the rural Pa. compound where an influential Muslim cleric lives in exile

International Workshop – Hizmet Movement between Political Islam and Civil Islam

History of politically motivated assault on Bank Asya

Prime Ministry approved Kimse Yok Mu, now accused of ‘terrorism’

Turkey builds 50 more prisons for Gülenists: Justice Minister

Copyright 2025 Hizmet News