Hye Sharzhoom Armenian Action
Photo: ASP Archive
Staff Report
Mark and Debbie Adishian-Astone have established a $25,000 Endowed Scholarship in Armenian Studies at Fresno State in honor of Debbie Adishian-Astone’s parents, George and Shenora (Kirishian) Adishian.
“We are honored to be able to establish this scholarship to support Fresno State students and the Armenian Studies Program. Establishing an endowed scholarship ensures that the scholarship is sustainable for years to come and allows us to pay it forward for the opportunities that Fresno State has provided both Mark and I,” said Astone-Adishian. “We are proud of our alma mater and we believe in providing support for our students, who are the next generation of leaders.”
Debbie Adishian-Astone is the Vice President for Administration and Chief Financial Officer at Fresno State and her husband Mark Astone is the owner and CEO of Catalyst Marketing, a local marketing and advertising firm located in downtown Fresno. Mark graduated from Fresno State in 1988 and is a former Associated Students President. Their son Andrew now works with the firm.
“The Armenian Studies Program is a pride-point not only for Fresno State but for our entire Armenian community and the programs and academic curriculum will ensure that students continue to have the opportunity to learn about Armenian heritage, which is so special to us,” stated Adishian-Astone, who earned both her B.A. in Business Administration and MBA from Fresno State.
Adishian-Astone wanted to honor her parents for all that they have done to support her family and for their commitment to ensuring that her family learned about their history and Armenian history.
Shenora (Kirishian) Adishian was born in Salem, Oregon. Her father, Aroot Kirishian, came to the United States during the Armenian Genocide with his mother and siblings. Adishian later grew up in Washington state and recalled that people did not know what an Armenian was. She attended Whittier College to pursue her teaching degree. That is when she was introduced to George Adishian who was born in Fresno, where Selland Arena is today. Shenora Adishian was the first in her family to attend college as Debbie’s grandmother was very progressive and understood the importance of obtaining a higher education degree.
The Armenian Studies Program is appreciative of Mark and Debbie Adishian-Astone’s generosity in establishing a scholarship endowment that will benefit students for many years to come.