New Armenian Students Organization Execs Take Office in September

Ruzan Orkusyan
Staff Writer

New ASO executive members were elected at the first general meeting held on Friday, September 7, 2012. They look forward to a new year filled with innovative ideas and activities and are very eager to engage Armenian youth in the community. All agree that the goals for ASO are to bring the youth together, to raise awareness of Armenians, to preserve Armenian culture, and to work together to improve their community. Below is the interview conducted with the 2012-2013 ASO executives.

Marine Vardanyan
President
Major: Community Health
Minor: Armenian Studies
Sophomore

What do you hope to accomplish this year?
My goal for this year is to continue making unforgettable memories with the members of ASO. Not only continuing with the traditional events, but also introducing fresh ideas and opportunities that will provide ASO members with both a good time and also good educational experiences.

Why is ASO important and what kind of response do you hope to get from the members?
ASO is important because of the unity it brings. It allows college students, especially the freshmen, to find a place where they belong, and allows them to participate in experiences that are meaningful to them. I hope to get positive feedback from the members, as we have many interesting plans for this year.

Favorite quote:
“What we think, or what we know, or what we believe is, in the end, of little consequence. The only consequence is what we do.”
–John Ruskin

Hagop Ohanessian
Vice-President
Major: History-Masters Program
Graduate Student

What do you hope to accomplish this year?
I hope to collaborate with other students in planning and organizing many events to promote our homeland and culture. I hope we also organize social gatherings, field trips, and give back to our community through volunteer projects.

Why is ASO important and what kind of response do you hope to get from the members?
ASO is extremely important for our community at Fresno State because we have been blessed with the opportunity to promote our culture and also organize events that bring Armenian students and faculty members together to work toward common goals. ASO members are extremely excited and eager to become a part of this tradition at Fresno State.

Lilit Grigoryan
Treasurer
Major: Business Administration/Finance
Junior

What do you hope to accomplish this year?
I hope that this academic year will be as successful as previous ones, or even better. My goal as an executive member is to support and promote our club on campus. I and the other executives will do our best to make this year very entertaining and productive for ASO.

Why is ASO important and what kind of response do you hope to get from the members?
ASO is important because it is a “place” where young Armenian people can meet each other. It also encourages students to learn more about Armenia, Armenian history, and the culture. Most of our activities are entertaining, but at the same time they are educational. I hope that Armenian youth will always be active and I expect them to be more involved and to stay interested in ASO. I would like to see the members become more united and become a strong team.

Favorite quote:
“A people without the knowledge of their past history, origin, and culture is like a tree without roots.”
–Marcus Garvey

Lauren Chardukian
Secretary
Major: Biology
Minor: Armenian Studies
Sophomore

What do you hope to accomplish this year?
I hope that this year we are able to encourage continuous participation and involvement in the Armenian community, as well as the greater Fresno area.

Why is ASO important and what kind of response do you hope to get from the members?
I think ASO is very important. Being in ASO has brought stability to how crazy college life can be. It is relaxing to be with other ASO members, regardless of what we happen to be doing. I hope that our members continue their involvement and help encourage new participation from other students. I also would like to see what new ideas and perspectives our members will bring this year.

Favorite quote:
“Tell me and I forget, teach me and I may remember, involve me and I learn.”
–Benjamin Franklin

Kevork Ajamian
Public Relations
Major: History Major
Minor: Armenian Studies
Senior

What do you hope to accomplish this year?
To have ASO and all its members participate in as many events as possible and to show the community how strong ASO is. Also, I hope to make a memorable impact on other Fresno State students.

Why is ASO important and what kind of response do you hope to get from the members?
ASO is important because as Armenians, it is essential to do what we can to save our culture, and to have others learn about it. We are a strong people who have been around for many millennia, and who have faced forces who aimed at annihilating us from the beginning. To this day we have reason to fight against those who deny our history, and promote our culture to those who are unaware. We are Armenian, we will not forget, and ASO gives us a way to preserve that.