Hye Sharzhoom Armenian Action
Marina Chardukian
Liberal Studies
Minor in Armenian Studies
What encouraged you to take an Armenian Studies course?
I wanted to really develop and connect with my Armenian heritage. Listening to all the stories from my grandparents made me want to learn more about the history of the Armenians that came before me.
What was your favorite Armenian Studies class, activity, or event?
I found all my classes interesting, but I really enjoyed the lecture series held every semester. My favorite class was when Prof. Der Mugrdechian took a group of us to Armenia in the summer of 2017.
What did you value most from your experiences in the Armenian Studies Program?
Besides getting to know my fellow Armenians, I cherish the everlasting friendships I have made with my peers throughout my years in the Armenian Studies Program at Fresno State.
What are your plans after graduation?
I plan to complete the Credential Program at Fresno State and become an elementary school teacher. I also plan to be a part of the Armenian community in Fresno and the many church organizations.
David Safrazian
Biology
Minor in Armenian Studies
What encouraged you to take an Armenian Studies course?
I planned on coming to Fresno State for the sole reason that they had an Armenian Studies Program with Armenian Studies courses. I am very involved in the Armenian community and I wanted to take these courses to learn more about the history, art, and language of the Armenian people.
What was your favorite Armenian Studies class, activity, or event?
Although I enjoyed every Armenian Studies class I took, Armenian Studies 20 and Armenian 148 were my favorite because I enjoyed learning about the churches in Armenia that I had the privilege of visiting. I also enjoyed being a member of the Armenian Students Organization and serving as the Treasurer and Vice-President. My favorite event was the Genocide Commemoration because planning an educational event to inform fellow students at Fresno State, as well as welcoming the Armenian community with poems, dancing, and prayers, created a memorable experience.
What did you value most from your experiences in the Armenian Studies Program?
The friendships I have made and the people I have met throughout my time at Fresno State is what I have valued the most. The first thing I did when I came to Fresno State was to go to an Armenian Students Organization meeting. At the time, I only knew one student and this was my way of getting to meet other fellow Armenians who had the same interests as me. I enjoyed being a writer for Hye Sharzhoom because I was able to critically think and write about events, which helped me become a better writer. I am very grateful that I had the opportunity to go to Armenia with the Armenian Studies Program in both 2017 and 2019. My first trip to Armenia was in 2017 and without going with Fresno State, I possibly would have never been to Armenia, and for that I am truly grateful.
What are your plans after graduation?
In the fall, I will be attending CHSU College of Pharmacy in Clovis as the class of 2024.
Joseph Beltran
History
Minor in Armenian Studies
What encouraged you to take an Armenian Studies course?
I took my first Armenian Studies course because it fit into my schedule, but that one class eventually made me want to continue and learn more. That one class began a journey that would end with me graduating with a Minor in Armenian Studies.
What was your favorite Armenian Studies class, activity, or event?
My favorite Armenian class was Armenian Studies 108B, Modern Armenian History, the first Armenian class I took. This class taught me many things I was able to use in other Armenian Studies courses.
What did you value most from your experiences in the Armenian Studies Program?
I value everything I have learned over these past couple of years. I went into these classes not knowing anything to now knowing a great amount. I never thought going into college that I would end up graduating with a Minor in Armenian Studies.
What are your plans after graduation?
I will be going to law school.
Michaela Zepure Walkup
Landscape Architecture Design-
Plant Science & Construction Management
Minor in Armenian Studies
What encouraged you to take an Armenian Studies course?
Fresno State was my first-pick for college because I was aware they offered Western Armenian courses. I wanted to take full advantage of these Armenian language classes to connect with my family.
What was your favorite Armenian Studies class, activity, or event?
My favorite class was Armenian 1A and noticing how I was learning baseline Western Armenian at a fairly quick pace. Though Armenian 1A and 1B were some of my more difficult classes, I felt fortunate to have the opportunity to take these language classes. Another noteworthy class would be Arts of Armenia. The architecture component of this course gave me design inspiration for my Construction Management major.
What did you value most from your experiences in the Armenian Studies Program?
I valued the personal growth I developed while completing my Minor. I received a full sponsorship to enroll at the American University of Armenia for Summer 2019. I am grateful for the Kashian family who sponsored me and thankful for the students and professors who encouraged me to go. I had never flown by myself before, let alone out of the country, but the Armenian Studies Program gave me the tools to confidently travel and live overseas.
What are your plans after graduation?
I have applied for Masters programs throughout the country involving environmental sciences. I also applied for the Plant Science program at Fresno State. I would like to potentially enroll at the University of Oklahoma for their Ph.D. program in Planning, Design, and Construction, with a concentration in Landscape Architecture. For now, I am simply waiting to hear back from my Masters applications to see where that takes me. I do not know where I am going from here, but I promise it will not be boring.
Yervand Boyajyan
Philosophy, Pre-Law Option
Minor in Armenian Studies
Minor in Criminology
What encouraged you to take an Armenian Studies course?
My main motivation for taking course offered by the Armenian Studies Program was to familiarize myself more with my cultural heritage. I was born in Yerevan and did not get much education in Armenia because my family and I came to the United States when I was only seven-years-old. I was never really exposed to Armenian literature, language, writing, or reading. I thought taking Armenian Studies courses would bring me up-to-date with all that I have missed throughout my childhood.
What was your favorite Armenian Studies class, activity, or event?
My favorite classes were Armenian Studies 20, Arts of Armenia, and Armenian148, Masterpieces of Armenian Culture. In the former, I studied famous Armenian churches and what makes those churches uniquely Armenian with Prof. Barlow Der Mugrdechian. I was exciting learning about all the distinct details that distinguish an Armenian Apostolic Church from all other churches around the world. In the latter, Prof. Hagop Ohanessian introduced me to an array of Armenian literature from various periods of time in Armenian history. I was particularly interested in the writings of modern Armenian writers like William Saroyan, Daniel Varoujan, Hovhannes Toumanian, and Khatchadour Abovian.
What did you value most from your experiences in the Armenian Studies Program?
I valued the education I received from Prof. Der Mugrdechian, Prof. Ohanessian, and Dr. Ümit Kurt. Four years of continuous education in Armenian language, literature, and history really was the most valuable thing I took away from the Armenian Studies Program. I am truly grateful to attend a university that offers such extensive education in Armenian Studies.
What are your plans after graduation?
I plan on attending law school. Fortunately, I have been accepted into Loyola Law School in Los Angeles and will be a full-time student in the Fall as a member of the 2023 graduating class. My legal studies will have an emphasis on Criminal Law, International Criminal Law, Human Rights Law, and Trial Advocacy.
Claire Kasaian
Business Administration-Marketing
Minor in Armenian Studies
What encouraged you to take an Armenian Studies course?
I knew entering Fresno State that I was planning to take Armenian Studies courses and pursue the Minor as well. I knew about Armenian history and culture growing up, but I was never really involved in anything “Armenian.” I wanted to learn more about my culture and make more friends who were Armenian. My cousins, who took Armenian Studies courses at Fresno State, always talked about how much fun they were and how they remember people who took the classes with them and Professor Der Mugrdechian. I wanted to have that experience too.
What was your favorite Armenian Studies class, activity, or event?
My favorite Armenian Studies event was definitely going to Armenia in the summer of 2017. It was my first time going out of the country, except for Mexico. I was going with people my age and I knew it was a once in a lifetime experience. I learned so much and made many memories with my friends. The people who went on that trip are currently my closest friends today and I cannot imagine my life without them.
What did you value most from your experiences in the Armenian Studies Program?
I valued the fact that everyone in the Armenian Studies Program is like a family. I would have never met my best friends if it were not for the Program. Also, Prof. Der Mugrdechian, Dr. Ohanessian, and Dr. La Porta made each course fun and interesting. They have always been there to give me advice on classes or to write recommendation letters.
What are your plans after graduation?
I am not too sure what I am doing after graduation. I am waiting to hear back from one college to attend graduate school for my MBA. Besides that, my goal is to work in digital marketing for either a magazine or a clothing company.
Cole Egoian
Business Administration-Accountancy
Minor in Armenian Studies
What encouraged you to take an Armenian Studies course?
I chose to take Armenian Studies courses and complete the Minor because my Armenian heritage on my father’s side was always something I was proud of, yet ignorant of in some ways.
What was your favorite Armenian Studies class, activity, or event?
One of my favorite courses in the Program was the Modern Armenian History class because it put all the subject matter into the larger context of Armenian identity. My other favorite was the short-term course, Armenians in Fresno, because it felt personally relevant as a 3rd generation Central California Armenian.
What did you value most from your experiences in the Armenian Studies Program?
Aside from the invaluable insight into my culture and history, the greatest thing to come from my time in the Program are the memories and friendships I have developed with other Armenians and students that have an interest in Armenian culture.
What are your plans after graduation?
I plan to get licensed as a Certified Public Accountant and build a career. I also plan on contributing to the Armenian community.
Stephen Gonzalez
History
Minor in Armenian Studies
What encouraged you to take an Armenian Studies course?
After I took Armenian Studies 108A, Medieval Armenian History, I wanted to learn more about Armenians and share that knowledge with my best friend who is also Armenian.
What was your favorite Armenian Studies class, activity, or event?
My favorite Armenian Studies course had to be Armenian Studies 20, Arts of Armenia. Being able to see and talk about the different types of breathtaking art that Armenians produced was amazing. Professor Der Mugrdechian made each class interesting and I always went home with something exciting to show my parents.
What did you value most from your experiences in the Armenian Studies Program?
What I valued most from my experience was the ability to learn about a culture rich with history and gain an understanding of a people that I share the world with. I also value my two trips to Armenia because I was able to witness what I read and learned about in class first-hand, as well as experience Armenia in a way that no book could ever teach me.
What are your plans after graduation?
My plans are to obtain my teaching credential and teach at the high school level for a few years and then teach at the college level.
Compiled by Sosse Baloian, Staff Writer