News

Andrew Hagopian Editor The Armenian Students Organization (ASO) remained very active during the Fall 2019 semester, recruiting many new members. The year kicked off with an Armenian Social Night, which had students enjoying their fellowship over traditional Armenian Khorovadz (Barbecue). The ASO’s next event was a “Halloween Costume Party,” which was a huge success. Held on October 25, students dressed ...

Staff Report Armenian Studies Program Coordinator Prof. Barlow Der Mugrdechian announced that a bequest of $5,000 was made from the estate of the late Mrs. Isabel (Keklikian) Lion to the Armenian Studies Program for scholarships. Mrs. Lion passed away on February 22, 2018. She was a long-time supporter of the Armenian Studies Program.  In 1946, she married Herbert Lion, who ...

  Carina Tokatian Staff Writer “The more I delved into her [Diana Apcar’s] story, the more I discovered the magnitude of her contribution to Armenia and the Armenian people. And with each discovery, the more awe I felt for this incredible woman,” stated film director and producer Mimi Malayan, who is the great-granddaughter of Diana Apcar. On Tuesday, October 8, ...

Sosse Baloian Staff Writer   The Armenian Studies Program Minor at Fresno State requires students to complete six to seven courses in Armenian language, art, culture, literature, and his-tory. In the Fall of 2019 more than 30 students, an all-time high, have registered to complete their Minor in Armenian Studies.   Garo Minasian History Who or what influenced you to ...

  Carina Tokatian Staff Writer The Fresno State Armenian Studies Program received some exciting news for 2020. It is anticipating the publication of some of its digital archives on an online database known as Calisphere by the beginning of the New Year. The University of California first established the California Digital Library in 1977, later creating Calisphere as one of ...

  Staff Report Prof. Barlow Der Mugrdechian, Berberian Coordinator of the Armenian Studies Program at Fresno State, was awarded the Society for Armenian Studies (SAS) “Lifetime Achievement Award” by current SAS President Dr. Bedross Der Matossian at the 45th Anniversary Banquet of SAS held October 12, 2019. Dr. Der Matossian highlighted the unconditional support that Prof. Der Mugrdechian has rendered ...

Staff Report The Society for Armenian Studies held its 45th Annual Membership Meeting on Thursday, November 14 at the Sheraton New Orleans Hotel, in New Orleans, Louisiana.  SAS President Bedross Der Matossian opened the meeting and welcomed members. Der Matossian reported on SAS activities for 2019 and also presented plans for the future activities of the Society.  Among the highlights ...

Christine Pambukyan Staff Writer Dr. Michael Krikorian is a pianist, composer, and educator who has won countless top prizes all around the world and has performed and competed across the United States, Italy, France, China, and South Korea.  At 3:00PM on Sunday, October 20, the Los Angeles-based pianist and Fresno native, Dr. Krikorian performed in the Concert Hall at Fresno ...

Staff Report Armenian Studies Program Coordinator Prof. Barlow Der Mugrdechian participated in the celebratory activities marking the 100th anniversary of the founding of Yerevan State University, which were held in Yerevan, Armenia, September 26-27, 2019. Yerevan State University was established in 1919 and the first classes were held in Alexandropol (today’s Gyumri), Armenia, as sufficient facilities were not available in ...

Staff Report Armenian Studies Program Director Prof. Barlow Der Mugrdechian announced the appointment of Dr. Ari Şekeryan as the 16th Henry S. Khanzadian Kazan Visiting Professor in Armenian Studies for the Spring 2020 semester at Fresno State.  Dr. Şekeryan graduated from the Department of Oriental Studies at the University of Oxford, defending his dissertation entitled, “The Armenians in the Ottoman ...