Hye Sharzhoom Armenian Action
Staff Report
The Society for Armenian Studies (SAS) celebrated its 30th anniversary with a series of celebratory activities in the month of November. Dr. Richard Hovannisian, left, receiving a plaque from SAS President Barlow Der Mugrdechian. The award recognizes Hovannisian’s role as one of five founders of the SAS.
The SAS was founded 30 years ago in Boston by Dr. Richard Hovannisian (UCLA), Dr. Avedis Sanjian (UCLA), Dr. Dickran Kouymjian (AUB and later Fresno State), Dr. Robert Thomson (Harvard), and Dr. Nina Garsoïan (Columbia). They set the foundations of a Society, which today has more than 200 members world-wide and is the leading organization in the field of Armenian Studies.
The SAS is dedicated to the development of Armenian Studies as an academic discipline. It has as its goals to promote the study of Armenia and all aspects of Armenian culture; to promote the teaching of Armenian subjects in educational institutions; to promote the publication of texts in various fields of Armenian studies; to organize and sponsor conferences, symposia, panels, and other forums pertaining to all aspects of Armenian culture and society; and to facilitate the exchange and dissemination of scholarly information pertaining to Armenian studies through a program of publications, consistent with the objectives of the SAS.
The first activity of the anniversary celebration was a reception in honor of SAS held at UCLA on November 7. Dr. Peter Cowe, Naregatsi Professor of Armenian Studies at UCLA was the master of ceremonies for the reception, whose main purpose was to honor the five founders of the Society. SAS president Barlow Der Mugrdechian, of the Armenian Studies Program at Fresno State, presented a concise history of the organization to the more than 150 invited guests.
Der Mugrdechian presented a plaque to Dr. Richard Hovannisian, AEF Professor of Modern Armenian History at UCLA, honoring him for his role as a founder. Prof. Hovannisian spoke about how the Society was formed and about the early challenges faced by the Society.
Standing, left to right: Roupen Avsharian, Levon Marashlian, George Bournoutian, Asbed Kotchikian, and George Kooshian Jr. Seated, left to right: Barlow Der Mugrdechian, Anny Bakalian, and John Greppin.
Founders Drs. Nina Garsoïan, Dickran Kouymjian, and Robert Thomson were unable to be present at the reception but sent congratulatory messages. Gia Aivazian, librarian and cataloguer of Armenian and Greek materials at UCLA, accepted a plaque on behalf of the late Dr. Avedis Sanjian of UCLA. Dr. Sanjian was the first editor of the award-winning Journal of the Society for Armenian Studies.
Dr. Hrair Dekmekjian, professor of political science at USC spoke about the ties between SAS and organizations with which it is affiliated, especially the Middle East Studies Association. Dr. Robert Hewsen spoke about the publications of the Society, which includes the Journal of the Society for Armenian Studies and the Newsletter. Musical entertainment was provided by Zvart Julhayan on flute and Carol Robbins on harp.
The reception was co-sponsored by the Friends of the UCLA Armenian Language and Cultural Studies and the Society for Armenian Studies. Dr. Peter Cowe, Dr. Levon Marashlian (Glendale Community College), and Gia Aivazian spearheaded the committee organizing the event.
On Saturday, November 20, SAS members gathered for the Annual Membership Meeting of the Society, held in conjunction with the Middle East Studies Association Annual Conference, held this year in San Francisco. SAS President Der Mugrdechian addressed members, giving a report on the main activities that had taken place during the year.
On Sunday, following a panel presentation on Armenian immigration to California, SAS members were guests at a luncheon held at the St. John Armenian Church. Parish priest Fr. Sarkis Petoyan welcomed SAS members to San Francisco. Following lunch, President Der Mugrdechian spoke about the Society’s activities and also introduced the members present. An informational question and answer period followed.
The SAS will continue its mission of promoting Armenian studies through the activities of its members.