Karkazian Named Deans Medalist in Student Affairs

Denise Altounian
Staff Writer

Each year Fresno State honors its most distinguished undergraduates with the presti-gious Deans Medalist Award.

This award honors the outstanding students within the university’s eight schools as well as the Division of Student Affairs. The medalists are nominated and selected based on academic excellence, community involvement, and other achievements at Fresno State.

This year’s Deans Medalist from the Division of Student Affairs was former Hye Sharzhoom editor and Armenian Students Organization President Tamar Karkazian.

She completed a B.S. in Business Administration with an emphasis in sports marketing with a 3.83 GPA. Throughout her four years at Fresno State, she was testament to what it means to have a rewarding and satisfying college experience. Never one to shy away from opportunity, Karkazian truly made the most of her college experience.

The award was the culmination of hard work and dedication that exemplified her collegiate career. “It was such an honor to receive the award and it showed me that all the things I was doing really did make a difference,” said Karkazian.

During her first year of college, she made the decision to get involved and find a way to impact the campus. “The more I got involved, the more I saw how it impacted the students and their experience,” said Karkazian, and from there her involvement grew.

She was a coordinator, assistant director, and eventually director of USU Productions, Fresno State’s programming board. She was also a part of the Craig School of Business’ highly selective honors program. Karkazian was one of the founding members and president of the American Marketing Association, Collegiate Chapter. Apart from her involvement in various organizations on campus, Karkazian always made it a point to stay involved with the Armenian community.

“I didn’t want to forget my roots; it’s always been important to me to stay involved with my culture,” affirmed Karkazian. Her consistent presence in the Fresno Armenian community included three years as editor of Hye Sharzhoom, a term as President of the Armenian Students Organization, and various roles within Fresno’s Homenetmen, Sassoon chapter.

“It was my initial involvement in ASO and Hye Sharzhoom that motivated me to get even more involved,” said Karkazian.

Because of her extensive involvement in Student Affairs, Karkazian now envisions herself working on a college campus either in Sports Marketing or Student Affairs. She hopes to be able to impact students in the same way she was influenced and supported by her advisors and professors during her undergraduate career.

After four years of hectic days and sleepless nights, she is currently taking advantage of her free time to travel and experience the world. Last summer Karkazian traveled to Yerevan, Armenia to take part in the Pan-Homenetmen Games and is set to travel to Costa Rica in the coming weeks.

Reflecting on the memories past four years she stated, “I really enjoyed my time at Fresno State, especially being able to take what I learned in the classroom and applying it to my extra-curricular activities.” For now, Karkazian is eager to see where the future takes her and looks forward to the experiences which are sure to follow.