Hye Sharzhoom Armenian Action
Christine Pambukyan
Staff Writer
On Sunday, March 26, 2023, the Armenian Studies Program held its 35th Annual Banquet at the Fort Washington Country Club in Fresno. The evening was dedicated to the establishment of the Ralph Shabazian Endowment in Armenian Studies and the Florence Elaine Hamparson Endowment in Armenian Studies.
Banquet sponsors, donors, scholarship recipients, faculty, university administrators, and family and friends celebrated student achievements, Armenian culture, and the Armenian Studies Program of Fresno State.
After arriving for the reception, guests were able to take photo-booth pictures, mingle with other guests, and enjoy delicious hors d’oeuvres and cocktails before the start of the Banquet.
Reverend Nerses Balabanian, pastor of the Pilgrim Armenian Congregational Church, opened the evening with an invocation. He thanked God for the food and prayed for Artsakh and Armenia, and the victims of the 100-day blockade. Following the invocation, a delicious steak dinner was served.
Prof. Barlow Der Mugrdechian, Berberian Coordinator of the Armenian Studies Program, thanked the nearly three hundred guests at the Banquet and introduced special guests: Fresno State President Dr. Saúl Jiménez-Sandoval, Provost Dr. Xuanning Fu, Vice-President for Administration Debbie Adishian-Astone, Fresno County Supervisor Sal Quintero, Dean Dr. Honora Chapman, Associate Dean Dr. Sergio La Porta, Dr. Hagop Ohanessian, and the family and friends of the late Ralph Shabazian and the late Florence Elaine Hamparson.
Der Mugrdechian also recognized table sponsors, patrons, and other donors to the Banquet. He thanked Andrew Hagopian for designing the banner with the photos of scholarship recipients and thanked Tatevik Hovhannisyan for her assistance in the Banquet planning.
Supervisor Sal Quintero presented Prof. Der Mugrdechian a proclamation declaring Sunday, March 26, 2023 as “Armenian Studies Program” day in Fresno County. Dr. Ohanessian then introduced the Dean of the College of Arts and Humanities, Dr. Chapman and Associate Dean of the College, Dr. La Porta, who gave their welcoming remarks. Dr. Chapman stated how strong and amazing the Armenian Studies Program is and how it is a positive influence for the community. She also emphasized how Armenian Studies students should be proud of the Minor they earned. Dr. La Porta gave a passionate speech about how, with knowledge, one can keep Armenian culture alive and use it to prevent another genocide, such as the one taking place in Artsakh now.
The families and close friends of the Shabazian and Hamparson Endowments were recognized. The two endowments will support the activities of the Armenian Studies Program and also support student scholarships. Ralph Shabazian’s sister, Rosemary Selland, emphasized how Ralph was a modest man who would not have wanted any attention focused on himself. His passion for keeping the Armenian culture alive was the reason he wanted to donate to the Program. Hamparson’s loved ones discussed how she was a compassionate and loving person, whose generosity will leave an impact for generations.
Fresno State President Dr. Jiménez-Sandoval emphasized how the Armenian Studies Program sets the standard for programs in the entire California State University system and how the Program is a model for Armenian Studies all over the world. President Jiménez-Sandoval emphasized how proud the community should be that fifty-seven students, Armenian and non-Armenian, are receiving scholarships worth more than $90,000, and that ten students are graduating with a Minor in Armenian Studies in 2022-2023.
Mark Soghomonian, Melina Peters, Christian Tufenkjian, Khori Cranford, and Andrew Hagopian, were asked to give their reflections on their experiences as students at Fresno State. Mark Soghomonian discussed how his decision to pursue a Minor had influenced him to attend Fresno State. Melina Peters spoke about how she was able to learn more about the Genocide and is now more informed about her history and culture as an Armenian. Christian Tufenkjian humorously discussed how his pursuit of the Minor allowed him to learn about places and monuments he visited during a trip to Armenia. He noted that he was the only member of the group that was able to name the place or monument, state the date it was created, and recount its cultural significance and significance. Khori Cranford described how she is now well-informed about Armenian culture and how this has helped her lobby for Armenian rights. Andrew Hagopian concluded the student reflections after receiving a plaque for completing a Special Major in Armenian and Middle Eastern Studies.
Photo: Iris Zuniga Soto
As guests were enjoying dessert and coffee, the student scholarship recipients, graduating seniors, Minor recipients, and ASO executive officers were presented certificates.
The executive officers of the Armenian Student Organization were also recognized and introduced.
Graduating seniors were called to the podium to receive their Armenian Studies Minor stoles. The students receiving their Minor included Chemistry major Caleb Arizmendez, Po-litical Science major Khori Cranford, Liberal Studies major Melina Peters, Biochemistry major Angela Soghomonian, Biochemistry major Mark Soghomonian, Chemistry and Mathematics major Olivia Soghomonian, Theater Arts major Michel Statler, Biology major Christian Tufenkjian, Biology major Anahit Yerdoglyan, and Biology major Rita Yerdoglyan.
Overall, the Armenian Studies banquet was an exciting, emotional, and wonderful event.