News

Sarah Soghomonian Staff Writer The work of famed Armenian artist, and now Fresno resident, Rafael Atoian was on display throughout the month of November in the President’s Gallery on the Fresno State campus. The exhibit titled “Motherland” showcased Atoian’s great talent and love for his Armenian homeland. “My motivations are always Armenian,” Atoian, 75, said. “I always make sure my ...

Staff Report Los Angeles, CA Settlement checks totaling $7,954,362 were distributed to more than 2,500 descendants of those killed during the Armenian Genocide of 1915. These checks resulted from the multi-million dollar settlement reached in a class action lawsuit brought against New York Life Insurance Company. The lawsuit, originally filed in November 1999, stemmed from New York Life’s non-payment of ...

Alex Bunch Staff Writer On Thursday, November 16, Professor Barlow Der Mugrdechian of the Armenian Studies Program gave a one-hour talk about “The Armenians of Fresno,” to an audience at the San Joaquin Gardens in Fresno. He had previously spoken to the same group about the writer William Saroyan on Thursday, November 9. The presentation included a history of Armenian ...

Caitlin Tiftick Staff Writer At the early age of six, Tom Bozigian began learning Armenian dances at the old St. Paul Armenian Church in downtown Fresno, California. Now, for the fifth time at Fresno State, he will pass down the tradition of Armenian dance in a one-unit course on Friday, February 2 and Saturday, February 3, 2007. The Armenian Studies ...

Staff Writer Fresno State’s weekly Cineculture Film Series spotlighted films with an Armenian theme on Friday, October 20. In addition, four panelists were invited to comment on the films shown and to answer questions raised by the audience. Special guest speaker Vickie Smith-Foston of Sacramento joined Dr. Matthew Jendian (Sociology), Barlow Der Mugrdechian (Armenian Studies), and Fresno State graduate Bernadette ...

Mother of Holy Etchmiadzin – Information Services Staff Report The Feast of the Holy Translators, one of the most beloved and celebrated days among the Armenians, was noted with special significance in the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin this year. On Saturday, October 14, the Armenian translation of the Album of Armenian Paleography was officially unveiled and presented to the ...

Zhanna Bagdasarov Editor A large crowd devoted to all things Armenian gathered at the Alice Peters Auditorium at 7:30PM on November 15 to listen to Dr. Levon Chookaszian’s final lecture entitled, “Armenian Art Treasures Saved from the Genocide.” Dr. Chookaszian, the 6th Henry S. Khanzadian Kazan Visiting Professor in Armenian Studies for Fall 2006, is spending the current semester instilling ...

Staff Writer Professor Barlow Der Mugrdechian of the Armenian Studies Program traveled to Boston, MA, the weekend of Nov. 18 and 19 to participate in the 32nd Annual Membership meeting of the Society for Armenian Studies (SAS). In addition, he participated in the annual Middle East Studies Association conference. The SAS is an international organization, which represents scholars and teachers ...

Staff Report Dr. Dickran Kouymjian 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. The American Numismatic Society, New York, NY, for the American Journal of Numismatics, 16-17. Elza and Haig Didizian, London, England, for the books: The Council ...

Knar Mekhitarian Staff Writer What part of Historic Armenia do your ancestors originate from? Gor Krboyan: Senior My ancestors were originally from Armenia, from the cities of Yerevan and Stepanagerd.       Jennifer Torosian: Senior My mom’s parents are from Van. My dad’s side of the family was from Kharpert and Dikranagerd.       Arman Kalamkarian: Freshman My ...