Hye Sharzhoom Celebrates Its 35th Anniversary

Marine Vardanyan
Editor

Hye Sharzhoom, the only university published Armenian student newspaper in the United States and the oldest in the world to be continuously published, is celebrating its 35th anniversary in 2014.

The first edition of Hye Sharzhoom was published on April 18, 1979, as part of Armenian Martyr’s Week at Fresno State and marking the anniversary of the Armenian Genocide.

The first edition was edited by Mark Malkasian and Mark Najarian, with Bryan Bedrosian, Dale Tatoian, Barlow Der Mugrdechian, and Patty Torosian on the staff.

Dr. Dickran Kouymjian, Director of the Armenian Studies Program, was the advisor and moving force behind the founding of the paper.

Hye Sharzhoom has developed throughout the years to become a cherished publication where audiences on campus, in the community, and around the world learn of the dynamic activities of the Armenian Studies Program and Armenian Students Organization and read about the issues important to Armenian college students.

The paper you are reading today would not have been as successful if not for the tremendous dedication and effort put forth by advisors, editors, and writers over the last thirty-five years and without the constant support of its readers.

When Hye Sharzhoom was launched as an ethnic supplement to Fresno State’s The Collegian in 1979, Dr. Kouymjian understood the immense value of developing a student newspaper. “It was important that Armenian students have a vehicle of expression, a paper of information and commentary, not just for the four or five hundred Armenians on campus but for the entire student body and for the Armenian community at large.”

Thirty-five years since its initial publication, Hye Sharzhoom continues to stay true to its original purpose, evolving to further enhance the reading experience and its impact.