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Staff Report To mark the 100th Anniversary of the Armenian Genocide, the Society for Armenian Studies (SAS) held an international conference, “The Impact of the Armenian Genocide,” on Saturday, November 21, 2015, in Denver, Colorado. The SAS is the international association of Armenian Studies scholars and teachers and held its 41st Annual Meeting on the same day in Denver. The ...

Staff Report Armenian Studies Program Coordinator Prof. Barlow Der Mugrdechian announced a gift of more than $97,000 from the estate of the late Anne Elizabeth Elbrecht of Davis, California, that will establish the Elbrecht Endowment in Armenian Studies. Anne Elizabeth Elbrecht passed away on September 24, 2014. After completing a degree in library science at UC Berkeley, she joined the ...

Aramayis Orkusyan Editor “2015 was a year of groundbreaking curatorial undertakings of Armenian art and marked a paradigm shift in the way contemporary Armenian art is conceptualized and exhibited globally,” stated Neery Melkonian, a New York-based independent researcher, writer, curator, and lecturer in modern and contemporary art. She discussed these shifts in her lecture, titled “What Comes After Undoing Denial: ...

Katrina Bissett Staff Writer “All the stars were against Armenia to survive,” stated screenwriter Mardik Martin. But Armenians did survive, and they are now telling their story. Armenian-themed films are beginning to gain popularity, and Fresno has now hosted the screening of two such films this year. A special screening of The Cut, an independent film centered on the life ...

Aramayis Orkusyan Editor There was standing room only in the Peters Educational Center Auditorium on Friday, August 28, as more than 300 Armenians and non-Armenians came to watch the special sneak preview screening of the film Aram, Aram. Co-sponsored by the Armenian Studies Program, the screening of Aram, Aram was part of the Fresno State CineCulture Fall 2016 film lineup. ...

Katrina Bissett Staff Writer The Armenian Studies Program at Fresno State is enjoying its highest number of students enrolled in Armenian Studies courses. There are three faculty members teaching: Coordinator Prof. Barlow Der Mugrdechian; Berberian Professor of Armenian Studies Dr. Sergio La Porta; and the newest addition to the Program, Prof. Hagop Ohanessian. Each instructor has a unique history with ...

Aramayis Orkusyan Editor As the Spring 2015 graduation ceremony approached its close, excitement built in the Save Mart Center as the crowd anxiously awaited the announcement of the President’s Medalists. From a group of nine outstanding undergraduate students, Joseph Bohigian was selected by President Castro as the recipient of the University’s highest academic honor. “I had a very tough choice,” ...

Katrina Bissett Staff Writer The Armenian Students Organization (ASO) has already begun the new school year with a variety of on-campus and community events. From cultural events to fashion shows, the ASO has represented the Armenian student body with zest and spirit. The ASO volunteered at the Fabulous 50’s & Swinging 60’s Car Show on September 19, organized by the ...

Yvette Mancilla Special to Hye Sharzhoom A historical epic seven years in the making about the Armenian Genocide will make its Central Valley debut at the 2015 Fresno Film Festival. “The Cut” will screen at 3 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 14 at the historic Tower Theatre, as part of the Nov. 13-15 Festival, which celebrates independent voices in cinema. Beginning ...

Michael Rettig Staff Writer On the eve of April 24, the Armenian community of Fresno gathered to unveil the new Armenian Genocide Centennial Monument. Over 4,000 people congregated at the Fresno State Maple Mall to witness the historic event, which brought together Armenians from various walks of life, and also non-Armenians. People from diverse backgrounds were united in their desire ...