Hye Sharzhoom Armenian Action
Marine Ekezyan
Staff Writer
Fresno State President Dr. John Welty visited the Republic of Armenia in a whirlwind three-day visit, May 27-29, 2004. Welty’s official visit was his first to Armenia and was the result of an invitation from Dr. Radik Martirosyan, President of Yerevan State University (YSU), who has visited Fresno State twice, most recently in January of this year.
Welty was accompanied to Armenia by Dr. Dickran Kouymjian, Director of the Armenian Studies Program, his wife Angèle, and Prof. Barlow Der Mugrdechian of the Armenian Studies Program, who is the project director for the Fresno State-YSU NIS University Partnership
Program.
The Partnership Program began in 1999 and involves a business development program. Welty’s primary purpose was to visit YSU and the Armenian Agricultural Academy, where many
Fresno State faculty have had the chance to become involved in projects over the past few years. Welty also wanted to review the outcome of the work that the faculty has been doing and to see what
the possibilities are for future cooperation.In particular he reviewed the results of the multi-year NIS project that involved the Fresno State Craig School of Business and the Faculty of Economics of YSU.
“It was very rewarding for me to see the impact that our faculty had on YSU, especially in the business program,” commented Welty. “The people are very friendly and deeply committed to education. People are very interested in improving their country.”
Welty met with the Dean of the Faculty of Economics, Dr. Prof. Hayk Sargsyan and other department heads, becoming acquainted with the results of the cooperation. He also visited two computer laboratories which had been provided with computers and internet connections through the NIS grant. He visited a classroom and had the
opportunity to meet and interact with students and faculty.
“The faculty were very engaging and certainly appreciative for the opportunity to develop relationships with our faculty. It was rewarding to see the pride they felt for the work that they had completed.The students were impressive and very motivated. They demonstrated to me that they are very interested in the future of their country,” said Welty. One of the highlights of the trip was an official meeting with the leadership of YSU, where Martirosyan bestowed Welty with the YSU Gold Medal, the highest honor of the university.
Later that same afternoon Welty and his delegation visited the Armenian Agriculture Academy, where they were hosted by President Dr. Arshalouys Tarverdian. The Agricultural Academy and Fresno State have shared a productive eight-year relationship, through a series of faculty and students exchanges.
Turning to cultural highlights the Fresno State delegation visited the Matenadaran (Repository of Armenian Manuscripts) in central Yerevan, where the guests were treated to a special guided tour of the library and had the opportunity to see some of the ancient manuscripts housed there.
Later that same evening, United States Ambassador to Armenia John Ordway hosted a reception for the Fresno State delegation, to honor Fresno State’s vital partnerships in Armenia over the past decade. The reception was held at the Ambassador’s home and attended by educational leaders from throughout Armenia.
“It was a great honor to go to the United States Ambassador’s residence and to meet with the invited guests and the Ambassador himself,” said Welty.
The next day began with a trip to the Ashtarak region of Armenia and a visit to the historic Saghmosavank and Hovanavank monasteries. Welty was accompanied by Dean Hayk Sargsyan and Professor Toros Torosyan of the YSU Faculty of Economics. Lunch was enjoyed in the Ashtarak Canyon, in the natural beauty of the river valley.
After lunch, His Holiness Karekin II, received the Fresno State delegation at Holy Etchmiadzin, where His Holiness and Welty had a warm discussion about a variety of issues. His Holiness noted that the Gevorgian Seminary has recently been granted university status and that he is sending some graduates of the Seminary to the United States and abroad to further their education.
“It was a great privilege to meet with His Holiness. Etchmiadzin is a very impressive setting. It made it
clear to me the important role that the church plays in linking the Armenian people throughout the world,” commented Welty.
A visit to Tsitsernakaberd (Monument of the Armenian Genocide) was an emotional high point in the visit. “The visit to the Genocide Memorial was very emotional and touching,” Welty affirmed.
Following the visit to Tsitsernakaberd, the delegation headed to the Sergey Paradjanov Museum, where museum director Zaven Sargsyan gave a tour of the famed film-director’s works.
A farewell dinner with YSU Rector Radik Martirosyan and officials from the University capped the visit to Armenia. When asked if he would consider revisiting Armenia, Welty said, “Armenia is a beautiful country with a very rich cultural heritage. I certainly look forward to having the opportunity to visit Armenia again. It was one of those experiences that I will never forget.”