The guests were greeted by the Envoy to the Prime Minister of the Republic of Croatia and Minister of Science and Education Dr. Radovan Fuchs, Vice president of Finances and Administration RIT Croatia Board of Trustees Chairman, Vice President for Finance and Administration, RIT New York Dr. James Waters, Dubrovnik Neretva County Prefect Mr. Nikola Dobroslavić and Mayor of the City of Dubrovnik Mr. Mato Franković.

The host of the event was President and Dean RIT Croatia, Mr. Don Hudspeth.

This ceremony was also an opportunity to thank all those who have been supportive and helpful of RIT Croatia from the very beginning until today. Thus, the special recognitions were handed out to:

The City of Dubrovnik for its continuous support in our work and its welcome at the very beginning of our work, and especially for allowing RIT Croatia to create its home at Gradac. Mayor, Mr. Mato Franković has received the award.

The Dubrovnik Neretva County for its continuous support and help in the development of the educational community of Dubrovnik Neretva County. The award was received by the prefect of Dubrovnik Neretva County, Mr. Nikola Dobroslavić.

The Ministry of Science and Education of the Republic of Croatia for its continuous support in RIT Croatia’s work, and especially for its vision and initial invitation to RIT to come to Croatia. The award was accepted by the Minister of Science and Education of the Republic of Croatia, Dr. Radovan Fuchs.

"Celebrating a quarter of a century of successfully operating in Croatia as an American private institution of higher education is very significant to us. In the past years we have accomplished a great deal. We have grown into a strong brand in higher education in Croatia whose alumni build careers and set up trends in various industries in over 40 countries across the world. Besides the pride that we feel when it comes to our alumni and students’ success, we are extremely proud of strong relationships with local communities in Dubrovnik and Zagreb, the Ministry of Science and Education and other institutions relevant to higher education in Croatia, as well as with our business partners on local, national and regional level. We continue to build firm relationships with all relevant stakeholders, and we are always thinking of new and innovative ways to cooperate, with the goal to adequately prepare students for a global careers. And lastly, but equally important, I would like to thank to all of our current and former faculty and staff members for the dedication and excellence they demonstrate on daily basis” said Mr. Don Hudspeth, President and Dean of RIT Croatia.