Michael Janakis grew up in Penn Hills, Pennsylvania, the suburb immediately to the east of the city of Pittsburgh proper. He has deep roots in the Pittsburgh region, with nearly all of the branches of his family settling in the area following their respective immigrations. Michael has recently graduated from St. John's College in Annapolis, Maryland, where he found a particular interest in poetry and refined his interest in languages. His senior essay was entitled, "Why Are Flowers Beautiful?", based on Goethe's Metamorphosis of Plants. Michael was brought to the Orthodox Christian faith of his anscestors while at the College, choosing to convert from Roman Catholicism to Eastern Orthodoxy.
During his senior year, Michael was awarded a Hodson Trust Internship from St. John's College to work at the Banneker-Douglass Museum (BDM). He also applied for and was accepted to the University of Pittsburgh's Master of Library and Information Science program, which he will begin in the fall. His internship at the Bannker-Douglass Museum will help him discover more about his career field and refine his interests. Growing up in Pittsburgh, Michael developed an appreciation for history and the benefits of feeling rooted in one's past. He hopes that through his internship at the BDM, and with the advice of Dr. Joni Jones and Mr. Waller, he will be able to prepare his career path to work where God intends.
In his spare time, Michael enjoys reading, fishing, gardening, observing nature, cooking, and studying Orthodox Christianity. In the summer, he plans to study New Testament Greek (since he learned Ancient Greek at St. John's College), practice poetry, and get to know Annapolis and Washington, D.C. better. He also intends to become better educated about African American history, which ties nicely into his internship.
Michael is an active member of Holy Archangels Orthodox Mission in Annapolis, where he serves with his priest and Godparents, Father Robert Miclean and Matushka (mama) Krissy Miclean, and their baby Anastasia. Michael is also an Eagle Scout.
Pictured: Michael Janakis, Hodson Trust Intern
