Andrew Hagopian Graduates with Bachelor of Arts Degree in Armenian and Middle Eastern Studies

Staff Report

It is common to hear the exciting announcement of students graduating from Fresno State with a degree in biology, business, engineering, or nursing. Andrew Hagopian, however, decided on a different path, becoming the first student at Fresno State to receive a Bachelor of Arts degree in Armenian and Middle Eastern Studies.

With the help of advisor Prof. Barlow Der Mugrdechian, Berberian Coordinator of the Armenian Studies Program, and faculty from the Middle Eastern Studies Program and History Department, Hagopian was successful in petitioning to the university to approve this special major.

The Special Major Degree program at Fresno State provides an opportunity for students to engage in an individualized course of study leading to a degree when one’s academic and professional goals are not accommodated by standard degree majors.

Hagopian started his college journey in the Fall of 2018 as a marketing major in the Craig School of Business. “While at Fresno State I knew that I wanted to pursue a Minor in Armenian Studies but it wasn’t until I took Armenian Studies 20, the Arts of Armenia course with Professor Der Mugrdechian, that I wanted to pursue more than just a Minor. I wanted to become an Armenian Studies professor.”

Hagopian was born and raised in Fresno with a sincere love and appreciation for his Armenian culture and heritage. From serving as a deacon on the altar at St. Gregory Armenian Apostolic Church of Fowler to performing alongside his grandfather Richard Hagopian at the annual “Blessing of the Grapes” picnics, Hagopian became involved in every aspect of the Armenian community.

“It is crucial in this day in age that as a third generation Armenian-American, that I do all that I can to preserve my unique Armenian identity in a globalizing world,” said Hagopian. Hagopian was motivated to pursue his passion in Armenian Studies because of his deep love of the Fresno Armenian community and the Armenian Studies Program.

“I decided to pursue Armenian Studies because I fell in love with the concept and purpose of the Program at Fresno State. It not only serves to connect and further educate Armenian students about their Armenian culture but also to expose non-Armenian students to Armenian heritage,” said Hagopian.

The Armenian Studies Program at Fresno State currently offers classes in Armenian language, history, art, and literature, however Hagopian foresees the future possibility of establishing a course in Armenian music.

“Armenian music in the United States has been under-researched over the last one hundred years. With my background and love of Armenian music, I hope to contribute to this aspect of Armenian culture and shed light on the lives of musicians and composers who preserved their music from the old county in America after the Genocide,” stated Hagopian.