AGBU Greater Fresno Chapter Establishes $25,000 Endowed Scholarship Fund to Benefit Students

Staff Report

The Greater Fresno Chapter of the Armenian General Benevolent Union (AGBU) has donated $25,000 to Fresno State to establish an endowed scholarship fund in the Armenian Studies Program. The scholarship will benefit students who enroll in Armenian and Armenian Studies courses at Fresno State.

The Chapter Executive Committee members are: Zaroohi Der Mugrdechian, Charles Jamgotchian, Sylva Guluzian, Karoun Boyadjian and Zohrab Atarian.

In 1985, there were two scholarship funds available for Fresno State students, and over the last thirty-five years that number has now grown to thirty-four scholarship funds. Thanks to the donors, Fresno State students today annually receive more than $75,000 in scholarships.

When the Western District of the AGBU was established in 1916, the headquarters was in Fresno where the largest population of Armenians resided in California. For decades, until the 1960’s, the Fresno AGBU was a focal point for Armenians in California. They organized picnics by the Kings River, cultural activities, and civic events. When the District Headquarters was eventually moved to Los Angeles, area members continued to organize and sponsor a myriad of activities.

The Greater Fresno Chapter cosponsors musical concerts, educational lectures and has organized Art Festivals highlighting the talents of Valley participants in painting, sculpture, poetry, and short stories. They have participated in the Clovis Fest International Village representing Armenia. The Chapter brings drama presentations from Los Angeles to entertain community members, as well as producing their own drama productions. For many years, the Chapter has organized and offered Western and Eastern Armenian language classes for children and adults.

Established in 1906 the Armenian General Benevolent Union (AGBU) is the largest Armenian non-profit organization in the world, offering an array of programs designed to help Armenians excel in life, personally, professionally and as global citizens.

The mission of the AGBU is to preserve and promote the Armenian heritage through worldwide educational, cultural, and humanitarian programs.