Armenian Studies Program Directors and Endowed Chair Holders Meet at UC Irvine for Workshop

Left to right: Razmik Panossian (Gulbenkian Foundation), Kevork Bardakjian (Univ. of Michigan, Ann Arbor), Christina Maranci (Tufts), Barlow Der Mugrdechian (California State University, Fresno), Salpi Ghazarian (USC), Bedross Der Matossian (Univ. of Nebraska, Lincoln), Kathryn Babayan (Univ. of Michigan, Ann Arbor), Sebouh Aslanian (UCLA), Vahe Sahakyan (SAS), Taner Akçam (Clark University), Ara Sanjian (Univ. of Michigan, Dearborn), Houri Berberian (UC Irvine), Marc Mamigonian (NAASR), and Vahram Shemmassian (California State University, Northridge). Photo:ASP Archive

Staff Report

The Society for Armenian Studies held an Armenian Studies Chairs and Directors Workshop on the campus of the University of California, Irvine, on Saturday, September 29.

Armenian Studies Program Directors and holders of endowed Chairs in Armenian Studies from across the nation met to discuss a variety of issues and challenges facing the field.

The workshop was co-organized by Dr. Bedross Der Matossian, SAS President; Dr. Houri Berberian, Family Meghrouni Presidential Chair in Armenian Studies at the University of California, Irvine; and Dr. Sebouh Aslanian, Hovannisian Chair in Modern Armenian History at UCLA.

The all-day workshop included discussions in four areas: the State of Armenian Studies Programs; Graduate Training: Past, Present, and Future; Cooperation between Armenian Studies Programs; and the Future of Chairs and Programs.

Prof. Barlow Der Mugr-dechian, Director of the Armenian Studies Program at Fresno State, and a former President of the Society for Armenian Studies, participated in the workshop.

The Armenian Studies Program at the University of California Irvine hosted a reception for the visiting scholars, the local community, and campus administrators.

Dr. Tyrus Miller, Dean of the School of Humanities warmly greeted the guests and Dr. Houri Berberian then introduced the visiting scholars, who interacted with community members.

A report will be written on the workshop outlining the main points of the discussion. This will provide a roadmap for future activities.