Staff Report Pete Peters, a well known Fresno business man and philanthropist, passed away on Tuesday, March 13, 2012. A beloved father, grandfather and uncle to many nephews and nieces he was fondly called “Uncle Pete” by everyone he met, a name he dearly cherished. He lived a full life with his twin daughters, grandchildren, sons-in-law, nephews and nieces and ...

Andrew Esguerra Staff Writer On the evening of March 21, the eyes of the congregation were glued to a slideshow of historical Armenian manuscripts painting, presented to community members at the St. Gregory the Illuminator Armenian Apostolic Church of Fowler. Armenian Studies Program Coordinator, Prof. Barlow Der Mugrdechian, spoke as part of the Lenten Series organized by Rev. Fr. Archpriest ...

Andrew Esguerra Staff Writer Illuminating a period of internal conflict within the Armenian faith, Professor Sergio La Porta, holder of the Haig and Isabel Berberian Chair of Armenian Studies, spoke before a sizeable audience at Fresno State on Thursday, March 22. This talk was part of the Armenian Studies Program Spring lecture series. Delivering a lecture entitled “Knowledge, Heresy, and ...

Tatevik Hovhannisyan Staff Writer Armenia has an ancient history and with its history comes a great culture, featuring different kind of dance and song. On Saturday, March 31, respected folk singer and dancer teacher Hasmik Harutyunyan held an Armenian Dance and Song Workshop for students at Fresno State, sponsored by the Armenian Students Organization and partially funded by the Associated ...

Denise Altounian Staff Writer Did the world know that the first Genocide of the 20th century was taking place when it was actually happening? Who was willing to help? Was there media coverage? As an Armenian-American these questions cross my mind whenever I think of the Armenian Genocide, and on Thursday, March 29th some of these questions were answered. Prof. ...

Marine Vardanyan Staff Writer When we think of Armenia today, we visualize the small landlocked nation bordered by Iran, Turkey, Georgia, and Azerbaijan. Although modern-day Armenia may be smaller than the state of Maryland, it was once a great empire, stretching from the Caspian Sea to the Mediterranean, under the rule of King Tigran the Great. Throughout history the Armenian ...

Ruzan Orkusyan Staff Writer One of the greatest responsibilities of an Armenian is to educate the non-Armenian community that they are a part of, about Armenian history, culture, and traditions. On Tuesday, March 20, 2012, Marine Vardanyan, Hagop Ohanessian and myself, Ruzan Orkusyan, introduced Armenia to a captivated audience during the International Coffee Hour, sponsored by Fresno State’s International Student ...

Suren Oganessian Staff Writer During the month of April one can usually find many lectures on the Armenian Genocide. Often it is politicians who share their knowledge, but on Friday, April 13, Peter Balakian, renowned Armenian-American author, shared his perspectives on Genocide and poetry at Fresno State. Balakian, an award-winning poet and advocate for Armenian Genocide recognition, was awarded the ...

Tamar karkazian Editor Truth. That was the theme for this year’s Armenian Genocide commemorations in the Fresno community, commemorating the 97th anniversary of the Genocide. Many speakers, students, pastors, and professors, touched upon various elements of truth. In all of their accounts, they discussed the importance of finding and remembering the truth about the Genocide. Three events in particular illustrated ...

Marine Vardanyan Staff Writer The Armenian Studies Program at California State University, Fresno held its gala 24th Anniversary Banquet, on Sunday, March 11, 2012 in the elegant banquet hall of the Fort Washington Golf & Country Club in Fresno. More than 260 community members and friends joined with Fresno State President Dr. John Welty, College of Arts and Humanities Dean ...