Kazan Fund for Armenian Studies Established at CSUF

By Barlow Der Mugrdechian Advisor

The formal announcement of the establishment of the M. Victoria Karagozian Kazan Fund for Armenian Studies was made by CSU Fresno President Dr. John Welty at a reception held on Friday, May 1, in the Renaissance Room on the CSU Fresno campus.

The Kazan Fund for Armenian Studies will provide support in three specific areas: 1) funding for scholarships, 2) funding for general operating support of the Armenian Studies Program, and 3) funding for the M. Victoria Karagozian Monograph and Lecture Series.

Dr. Dickran Kouymjian, Berberian Professor of Armenian Studies and Director of the Armenian Studies Program praised the establishment of the Kazan Fund as a significant step in the development of the Armenian Studies Program.

In July of 1997, Henry S. and M. Victoria Kazan made a gift of their East Quoque, New York home to Fresno State. Proceeds from the sale of the home will be used to establish the Kazan Fund for Armenian Studies.

Mr. Henry S. Kazan, husband of the late M. Victoria Karagozian Kazan, was present at the announcement ceremony and was joined by family members Dr. Harold Aram Veeser, Dr. Cyrus Veeser, Dr. Anahid Kassabian and husband Dr. Leo Svendsen, daughter Maral, Dickran Kassabian, and family friend Noble Mitchell, Sr., all of whom had traveled from the East Coast for the special occasion.

A little over two years ago, on April 8, 1996, President Welty announced a gift from the Kazans of over $300,000 for the establishment of the Henry S. Khanzadian Kazan Professorship in Modern Armenian and Immigration History. Dr. Isabel Kaprielian is the first Kazan Professor. That gift was the first step in a continuing relationship between the Kazans, the Armenian Studies Program, and the Fresno community.

Mr. Henry S. Kazan spoke at the reception about how he had become close to Fresno State and expressed the reasons why he supported the Armenian Studies Program. Henry Kazan is committed to research and scholarships because among his nieces and nephews, there are three professors deeply dedicated to writing and research. This is a family which has a tradition of achievement in higher education.  Mr. Kazan was an indirect survivor of the Armenian Genocide, a lucky survivor who never forgot those who had been left behind in his home of Zara. He and his mother were the only survivors from that village, having escaped only months before the Armenian Genocide. How appropriate it is that the announcement of the Kazan Fund was made only a week after April 24, the 83rd anniversary commemoration of that Genocide. Mr. Kazan is committed to support instruction in the area of Armenian History, the Genocide and Immigration History of the late 19th and early 20th century because he does not want the memory of that era lost. He is committed to the memory of the Armenian Genocide.

M. Victoria Kazan was born on November 28, 1910 and married Henry S. Kazan on December 24, 1935. They enjoyed a marriage of 62 years, before Mrs. Kazan passed away in October of 1997.

Scott Warrington, Director of Development was the Master of Ceremonies for the evening. Comments on the establishment of the fund were made by Dr. Michael Ortiz, Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs; Dr. Vida Samiian, Associate Dean of the School of Arts and Humanities; Dr. Ellen Gruenbaum, Dean of the School of Social Sciences; and Barlow Der Mugrdechian of the Armenian Studies Program.

Dr. Harold Aram Veeser, grand-nephew of the Kazans, portrayed the life of M. Victoria Karagozian Kazan, through the eyes of her family. In a moving and revealing commentary he explained the source of her love and devotion for family and education, which culminated in the establishment of the Kazan Fund.

The vision of Henry S. Kazan and M. Victoria Karagozian Kazan has helped the Armenian Studies Program move closer to being a Program that supports research and publication, as well as undergraduate teaching. Through the support of he and his wife, the Armenian Studies Program of California State University, Fresno has become even stronger, able to attract students from throughout the United States and the world.

Because of the M. Victoria Karagozian Kazan Fund for Armenian Studies her name will continue to live through the work of scholars and students here at CSU Fresno.  The many other friends and supporters of the Armenian Studies Program along with the Kazans have ensured the perpetuation and dissemination of Armenian culture.