Hye Sharzhoom Armenian Action
Sara Beberian
Staff Writer
Want to feel more connected to your local Armenian community? The podcast “All Things Armenian” is the place for you! Airing from 2:00-3:00PM every Sunday on Multicultural 1600AM and hosted by Professor Barlow Der Mugrdechian from the Armenian Studies Program at Fresno State, listeners enjoy hearing interviews covering a variety of topics including; music, art, Fresno State news, and cultural topics pertaining to the Armenian community.
With over 65 interviews already completed, the show has a little something for everyone. At the end of January, Professor Barlow Der Mugrdechian interviewed Dr. Khatchig Mouradian. Dr. Mouradian is a professor at Columbia University and was recently appointed as the Armenian and Georgian Specialist in the African and Middle Eastern Division. His recently published book, The Resistance Network: The Armenian Genocide and Humanitarianism in Ottoman Syria 1915-1918, was the focal point for this episode. Dr. Mouradian grew up in Lebanon, where he learned five languages, including Armenian, English, and Turkish. This was very beneficial for his research, writing, and studies. Dr. Mouradian’s book is broken up into two parts; the first part about Aleppo, Syria, and the second about the concentration camps, where countless Armenians died during the Genocide. However, the book tells the larger story of the “underground network of humanitarians, missionaries and diplomats in Ottoman Syria, who helped to save the lives of thousands of Armenians during the Genocide.”
Another recent interview featured Fresno State’s Interim President, Dr. Saúl Jiménez-Sandoval, who explained how he was born in Mexico and moved to the United States at an early age, learning English in the fourth grade. Considering that the move was a major life-change for such a young boy, Dr. Jiménez-Sandoval said that he utilized books as a way to integrate within the new society. He also discussed his love for education. Dr. Jiménez-Sandoval majored in Spanish and Portuguese Literature when he was at the University of California, Irvine, and explained that “literature allows the beginning of self-discovery.” He earned a doctorate, became a Professor, later Chair of the Department of Modern and Classical Languages & Literatures, before becoming Provost and then Interim President. As Provost he met with faculty from different departments on campus to better understand their needs. “I like to dream big… it is the poetic, leader side of me,” explained the Interim President. He is honored to work at Fresno State, and is excited to continue to empower students and to work to benefit the whole community at large.
Don’t miss out on this opportunity to learn more about everything Armenian on the “All Things Armenian” show! Listen to beautiful music and hear the many interesting interviews pertaining to Armenian topics.
“All Things Armenian” airs on Multicultural 1600AM on Sunday afternoons from 2:00-3:00pm. “All Things Armenian” also airs every Wednesday night at 9:00PM on SoCal Armenian Radio 95.3FM. Past episodes can be accessed on Multicultural Radio’s website or can be heard on SoundCloud, by typing “All Things Armenian” in the search bar. https://soundcloud.com/fresno_state/sets/all-things-armenian