Anthony Grbic received his Ph.D. in electrical engineering from the University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada, in 2005. In January 2006, he joined the Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, where he is currently an Associate Professor. In January 2010, he was awarded a Presidential Early Career Award for Scientists and Engineers. In 2011, he received an Outstanding Young Engineer Award from the IEEE Microwave Theory and Techniques Society. He has Croatian roots, and he collaborates among others with a group of Croatian scientists at the University of Zagreb.
Category: People
Cravat man Nicholas B. Daddazio
Nicholas B. Daddazio studies the necktie as an icon and symbol of Western culture, rather than a fashion statement. He is also the first artist in the four hundred year history of the cravat/necktie to make figurative and representational bronze sculptures of the necktie/cravat. The giant neckties can be displayed on walls, in corners, on doors, along a staircase, hung from the ceiling, or flung over a bed, piano, or couch. As everybody knows, the cravat, as a global fashion element, has Croatian roots from the 16th century, and even the name of the cravat is derived from the name of Croatia.
The Story of Ilija Letica by distinguished Croatian filmmaker Jakov Sedlar
We present the readers of the CROWN a fascinating documentary by Croatian filmmaker Jakov Sedlar about the life and work of Ilija Letica in the USA, about his very successful LETICA CORPORATION in the USA, with a special emphasis on his ties with Croatia and on his life philosophy. LETICA is a multi-faceted packaging company with diverse talent and technologies to support business on a number of fronts. The company works in multiple technologies such as thermoform, injection mold, paper-forming and sheet extrusion as well as with multiple mediums including paper, rigid and thinwall plastic, reclaimed post-consumer fiber, and other environmentally-friendly materials.
Andrej Plenkovic Croatian diplomat and a Member of the European Parliament speaking about Ukraine
Andrej Plenković, Croatian diplomat and a Member of the European Parliament, was the Chairman 2nd meeting of the EU-Ukraine Parliamentary Association Committe held in Kyiv on 4-5 November 2015. “We had two days of very intensive and productive discussions with our friends in the Verkhovna Rada, and very fruitful meetings with President Poroshenko, Prime Minister Yatsenyuk and Speaker Groysman. … The European Parliament stands ready to assist Ukraine’s efforts on its European path, against the backdrop of the complex economic, financial and social situation, and of the temporary occupation of parts of Donetsk and Luhansk oblasts and the illegal annexation of Crimea by Russia.”, said Mr. Plenković.
A Castle for Croatia in Australia's capital Canberra
The Lifestyle Magazine CAPITAL for in and around Canberra, in the 14th issue of January – February 2005, published a luxorous article A castle for Croatia, written by Ainsleigh Sheridan and with excellent photos of Elizabeth Hawkes. The story of the Croatian embassy is as epic as Croatia’s history. It was built entirely through the efforts of Croatians living in Australia. Furthermore, local architect Antony Mikulic won a selective competition to design the embassy, which the Royal Institute of Architects awarded with a commendation in 2001. The article is based on the interview with His Excellencey Dr Mladen Ibler (on the photo), the then ambassador of the Republic of Croatia in Australia.
Zdravko Basaric: Krize ne bi bilo da je 50% Vlade ili Sabora iz dijaspore
Zdravko Basarić: U ovom trenutku dovršava se prijevod trilogije Odbrojavanje na hebrejski jezik, snima se i trailer u Izraelu koji će se prikazivati na najvećim sajmovima knjiga, ali i u Hollywoodu, jer je jedan od ciljeva, osim prijevoda na druge strane jezike, i ekranizacija ove trilogije. Reakcije iz svijeta vrlo su pozitivne jer je ova trilogija zapravo i pobuna protiv svake agresije. Izraelci su izvrsno prihvatili ove knjige, vjerujem da bi se i Palestincima svidjele jer pozivaju na dijalog i mirno rješenje sukoba.
Hrvoje Prpic Trillenium creating beautiful online shops in VR, 3D and mobile
Trillenium is developing a proprietary platform. It’s a key enabler of the next phase of online fashion retailing. They have experience of doing this before: their founder, Hrvoje Prpic, is one of Europe’s most successful retail entrepreneurs. His previous exit was one of the biggest domestic IPOs in Croatia and the Central Europe region. Trillenium intends to bring virtual reality, 3D, gaming and mobile technologies together with an interactive and social shopping adventure.
Josipa Majic from Croatia's capital Zagreb is founder & CEO of Teddy the Guardian global enterprise
Josipa Majic is the founder and CEO of Teddy the Guardian, Zagreb, Croatia, the first smart teddy bear on the market. During play, the teddy bear seamlessly captures the child’s heart rate, saturation of blood with oxygen and body temperature, and wirelessly sends the data on a mobile app. This creates a truly child friendly experience for hospitals and home care. With specialization in medical technology, Majic’s work places a special emphasis on a more human approach to patients and users. She has previous experience in delivering medical applications and wearable technology solutions. On the photo Josipa Majic and Ana Burica, Zagreb, authors of the idea of Teddy the Guardian.
Ferdinand Budicki the first driver in Zagreb to have passed a driving test in 1910
At the beginning of the 20th century, the royal government stipulated that every car in the city of Zagreb must have a license plate and that each driver must pass a driving exam. There was a problem, however, for not even a single official knew how to drive. It was agreed that Ferdinand Budicki, the owner of the first car in Zagreb, would teach four civil servants how to drive. The examination committee began its work late July 1910, and the first to have been summoned to take the exam was Ferdinand Budicki.
Ivan Rakitic Croatian soccer diamond born in Switzerland
Ivan Rakitić, Croatian soccer player born in Switzerland, is a versatile and physical midfielder who can stake a claim on nearly every inch of the midfield. He’s an offensive-minded player, but he is also an avid defender when his team requires it. He has good game vision and his passing capability is excellent. Throughout his career he’s stood out as great assister. He also possesses a powerful shot. Despite featuring for the Swiss national youth teams, Rakitić elected to play for Croatia. Since his debut at the age of 19, on September 8 of 2007, he’s become a nearly permanent feature for Croatia.Ivan speaks five langauges: Croatian, German, Castillan, English and French.
Zdravko Basarić: Marija Husar Croatian singer and art director of Bonofest in Vukovar
Marija Husar is known as a singer of spiritual music and love songs and one of Croatia’s most famous singers. She is also Bonofest’s art director in the city of Vukovar. “It is incredibly important for us to show musical and spiritual quality…” she said. When Zdravko Basarić asked her why she chose spiritual music, she replied that the most supreme music is music dedicated to God and that, in general, the most beautiful art in human history is art dedicated to God. The article has been published by Wall Street International on 20 June, 2015.
Giorgio Surian distinguished Croatian opera singer of worldwide reputation
Giorgio Surian is the most famous opera singer that Croatia ever had. He is the internationally acclaimed bass-baritone of worldwide reputation. Thanks to the incredible vocal capabilities, he has made more than 160 appearances in his career so far. He sings in different languages that, alongside Croatian, include Italian, French, German, Portuguese, Russian, Czech, English… He performed in the Scala of Milan, the Metropolitan Opera, Staatsoper in Wien, Opera de Lyon, Arena di Verona, Opera national de Paris, Royal Opera House in London, El Liceo in Barcelona, Bolshoi Theatre in Moscow, Teatro Real in Madrid, Salzburg Festival, etc.
Pope Francis in Sarajevo in 2015 meeting his old friend f. Petar Galauner, SJ Zagreb
Petar Nodilo, SJ Zagreb: We all were indeed happy to see how the Pope embraced our f. Petar Galauner, SJ, and how he was sincerely delighted to see him again. Our dear father Galauner, we wish you God’s blessing so that you spend many years to come with us, with your confreres and with numerous flock which loves you. Petar Galauner, SJ, is distinguished educator, living in Croatia’s capital Zagreb. His last encounter with Pope Francis was about thirty years ago. They first met in the Vatican in 1974.
Ante Glibota elected vicepresident of the European Academy of Sciences and Arts in Paris since 2015!
Ante Glibota, distinguished Croatian historian of art and architecture, has been elected in June 2015 in Paris, in the Senat of the Republic of France, as the vice-president of the European Academy of Sciences and Arts, L’Academie Europeenne des Sciences des Arts et des Lettres; L’AESAL). To be a leading person of this prestigious international institution, which gathers as many as 65 Nobel Prize winners, as well as several hundred outstanding experts in different fields, is not only a great honour for Mr. Ante Glibota, but for Croatia as well. We express our sincere gratitude to Mr. Ante Glibota for his achievements, wishing him good health and fruitful guidance of the Academy.
Zdravko Basaric: Everything is Forever when I met Nenad Bach
I first met Nenad during Christmas mass in the Church of Saints Cyril & Methodius and St. Raphael in Manhattan. It was during my visit to New York (1998) where I was promoting my novel Rhapsody on the Island of Susak for Croatian emigrants and the American public. During prayer I saw a tall man, with a distinct black hat. Very soon after the mass I had the honor of meeting him. This man is a Croatian American recording artist, composer, performer, producer and peace activist. The author of the article is Zdravko Basarić, Croatian writer, on the photo.
Brittain Kovac is waking up debt-free in America
Brittain Kovac’s great grandmother came from Croatia and settled in Strawberry Hill in Kansas City, KS. Her family loved the openness of the space, and the opportunity to own and care for land. Their entrepreneurial spirit was passed down to Brittain’s dad and to her as well. They also passed down the sense of responsibility that comes with any such opportunity: the need to give back. When Brittain was around 13, she went on a mission trip to the heart of Jamaica. “It literally changed my life and the direction that I had planned for my future,” she says.
Fritzie Zivic boxing welterweight champ invited by famous inventor Nikola Tesla to lunch in New York
Fritzie Zivic never asked why. He never asked if his opponent hit hard, if his opponent deserved the shot, if the opponent would be tough. He just said “yes” and signed the contract. Perhaps this fearlessness is the reason why Zivic may have fought a better array of boxers than any fighter in history. 23,190 people filled the Madison Square Garden in New York to the rafters when Armstrong met Zivic again on January 17, 1941. This remains the all-time highest Garden record for attendance! After this match, great inventor Nikola Tesla invited his compatriot and his four brothers to celebrate this win in his hotel. See Tesla and Zivic on the photo.
Max Emanuel Cencic Croatian countertenor singing from Versailes and St Petersburg to Budapest and Vienna
We are pleased to announce, that performances of our successful production of Siroe (the opera by Johann Adolf Hasse), directed by Max Emanuel Cencic, will be resumed on April 18th 2015 in semi-staged version at Budapest’s Vigszinhaz. Following this, there will be a performance in concert version in Theater an der Wien, Vienna, on April 21st. The high carat cast will be the same as in Versailles, consisting of Max Emanuel Cencic in title role.
Mirogoj Cemetery in Croatia's capital Zagreb through the lens of Nikola Piasevoli
Mirogoj is one of the most beautiful city cemeteries in Europe. It has been designed by Austrian architect Herman Bollé, starting from 1879 to 1929 when it was completed. Many famous Croatians are burried there. Furthermore, with its pleasant atmosphere and numerous high quality works of art, it is a nice place for rest and meditation. All the photos have been taken by Mr. Nikola Piasevoli from Zagreb. With this presentation we wish all the readers of the CROWN and their families a happy Easter.
Robert Benmosche 1944-2015 CEO of AIG found paradise in Croatia
Robert Benmosche: I was in Dubrovnik in Croatia back in 1997 and found it was a beautiful place. I said to myself, “Bob, what do you want to do when you retire?” I had read an article that said Zinfandel may have come from Croatia. And so I said that is an interesting idea. In 2006, I was able to get two pieces of land. One in Dingac where my vineyard manager’s property is, and another in Viganj, about 12 acres, right on the sea. I chose it because it had these yellow flowers called broom. They say where the flowers grow is great for growing grapes.