News

Staff Report Mark your calendars-Friday, August 31, 2018. That day will mark the 110th anniversary of the birth of Fresno native and internationally recognized author William Saroyan and will be celebrated with the grand opening of the Saroyan House Museum at 2729 W. Griffith Way in Fresno. The Intellectual Renaissance Foundation, founded by Arthur Janibekyan, purchased Saroyan’s home in 2015, ...

Sam & Annette Apelian                                                   Studio City Eleonore M. Aslanian                                                       San Francisco Marie Avakian                                                                    Fresno Mary Balakian                                                                    Reedley David Barsamian                                                               Pasadena Linnette Bommarito                                                         San Jose Jack & ...

Thank You Annual Fund Donors (received as of October 12, 2017) Benefactors Knights of Vartan, Yeprad Lodge #9 in recognition of Dr. Joseph I. Castro as “Man of the Year” Estate of Elizabeth Koojoolian Patrons Zaruhy Sara Chitjian John C. & Alice Ipjian Family Fund Grace Kazarian Triple X Fraternity, Selma Chapter Sponsors Linda Bulbulian, Jim Baxter, and Daniel Bulbulian-Baxter ...

Prof. Barlow Der Mugrdechian, Prof. Sergio La Porta, and the Armenian Studies Program would like to thank the donors, authors, and publishers for the following books, periodicals, videos, and archival gifts, either offered personally, or to the Program.     Adrienne Alexanian, New York, for a copy of Forced into Genocide: Memoirs of an Armenian Soldier in the Ottoman Turkish ...

Haverj Stanboulian Biology Minor in Armenian Studies What encouraged you to take an Armenian Studies course? I wanted to stay connected to my Armenian roots and expand my knowledge about our amazing culture and history. What did you value most from your experiences in the Armenian Studies Program? The Armenian Studies Program has a great community of Armenians who are ...

Diana Gasparyan Staff Writer At the beginning of the Spring 2017 semester, ASO was invited to give a presentation at the International Coffee Hour (ICH), a Fresno State series that is held every Tuesday from 2-3pm in the Henry Madden Library. The ICH is unique in that it brings people of diverse backgrounds to share their culture, history, and customs ...

Michael Rettig Editor When one typically thinks of the perpetrators of the Armenian Genocide, they usually have in mind high-ranking officials who directed policy, such as Talaat, Enver, or Djemal Pasha. The term “perpetrator” might also conjure up images of gendarmes and soldiers herding Armenian refugees through the desert. However perpetrators were often ordinary people, emphasized Dr. Umit Kurt in ...

  Diana Gasparyan Staff Writer The Armenian Students Organization has started many new initiatives this semester, with a silent auction at the Armenian Studies Program 29th Annual Banquet, and a Frozen Yogurt fundraiser. ASO is introducing an award, called the “Member of the Semester,” recognizing a member who has demonstrated exceptional effort in assisting with club events and volunteer work. ...

Diana Gasparyan Staff Writer In the past few months, the Armenian Students Organization has held several socials, events, and fundraisers. The executive team was constantly occupied with planning, organizing, and collaborating on new ideas. There was an even balance between socials and volunteer events, mixing enjoyment and work throughout the semester. The ideas to fundraise arose due to the anticipation ...

Michael Rettig Editor Like many Armenians, I had been eagerly anticipating the release of “The Promise” since first hearing that such a film would be released. I did not initially have high hopes when I heard that Kirk Kerkorian would be funding a Hollywood blockbuster about the Genocide because I had too often been disappointed with similar announcements in the ...