News

Arlen Pilavian Plant Science Minor in Armenian Studies   What encouraged you to take an Armenian Studies course? The rich background and history of the Armenian people. I owed it to my ancestors to complete my cycle of Armenian studies courses after graduating from the Armenian Community School of Fresno. What was your favorite Armenian Studies class, activity, or event? ...

Arshak Abelyan Staff Writer The borders and barriers imposed by empires have created names which have divided the Armenian homeland for centuries. The designation “Armenian Highland” was purged from maps beginning in the 1940’s, and earlier the Armenian Genocide had attempted to completely eliminate the Armenian people. Matthew Karanian wanted to celebrate the history and culture of the Armenians and ...

  David Safrazian Staff Writer Calouste Gulbenkian, “Mr. Five Per Cent” or “The Honest Broker,” became the world’s wealthiest man by negotiating a five percent share of the Turkish Petroleum Company (later the Iraq Petroleum Company). Following the drawing of the famous “Red Line” in 1928, delineating the areas of oil exploration in the Middle East, Gulbenkian became a partner ...

Annie Rubio Editor “Who is going to write our history?” This was the existential question that faced the first generation of the Armenian Diaspora, who were forced out of their homes and villages during the Armenian Genocide of 1915. Unable to return home, they relied on their memories to draw maps, write music, and record their memoirs. Today, these efforts ...

Staff Report A story of spiritual power, a work of unmatched artistic expression, intertwined with the Armenian Genocide, combined in an intriguing story related by Dr. Heghnar Zeitlian Watenpaugh. The journey of the “Zeytun Gospel,” from its creation by the great Armenian artist and miniature painter Toros Roslin, in the 13th century, to its place of honor in the town ...

Dustin Vartanian Staff Writer The Armenian Studies Organization has had a busy Spring Semester, full of lectures and events. The ASO gathers monthly and organizes social activities to create stronger relationships with its fellow members. The socials are a big part of what the club does.  “The ASO socials are important because they promote involvement with members in the club ...

Staff Report Armenian Studies Program Coordinator Prof. Barlow Der Mugrdechian participated in the 7th Annual “Genocide Awareness Week: Not on Our Watch,” organized by Scottsdale Community College, in Scottsdale, Arizona. Der Mugrdechian spoke on the topic of “The Genocide in the 21st Century: Turkey and Armenia,” on Monday, April 15, to students, faculty, and community members. Dr. Taner Akçam, Kalousdian ...

Claire Kasaian Staff Writer On Thursday, March 7, students, professors, and members of the community attended a lecture at Fresno State by Dr. Ara Sanjian, who spoke on the topic of “Armenia’s Road To and Since the ‘Velvet Revolution.’” The “Velvet Revolution” refers to the political events that occurred in Armenia in April of 2018, which led to the resignation ...

Christine Pambukyan  Staff Writer From 1989 to 1994, there was a war between Karabagh and Azerbaijan over the status of the region of Karabagh, also known as Artsakh, located east of the Republic of Armenia and southwest of Azerbaijan. During this war, more than thirty thousand people died. However, despite the war ending with a ceasefire in 1994, the loss ...

Have you ever wanted to travel to Armenia? Why? Andrew Hagopian Freshman I have always wanted to visit our homeland and visit the sites where my ancestors came from. One thing I look forward to seeing is Holy Etchmiadzin because of its significance and connection to the Armenians. I would like to see other Armenian Churches that I learned about ...