Armenian Educational Foundation
600 West Broadway, Suite 130
Glendale, California 91204
Telephone: 818-242-4154
Email: [email protected]
Website: http://www.aefweb.org/
PRESS RELEASE
May 29, 2012
Dr. Albert Melik Ghassemian donates $234,000 to AEF
Glendale - Armenian Educational foundation (AEF) is pleased to announce
that Dr. Albert Melik Ghassemian of Boston donated $34,000 to fund the
renovation of two Artsakh village schools and $200,000 towards the
renovation of the Artsakh State University dormitory.
Artsakh State University students and faculty celebrated the opening of the
renovated dormitory building on May 10, 2012. In attendance were Artsakh
government officials, AEF board members, and the generous benefactor of the
project, Dr. Ghassemian.
Dr. Ghassemian's contribution allowed AEF to renovate four floors of the
dormitory. The renovation of the fourth and fifth floors were completed
and presented during the opening celebration. The renovation of the second
and third floors will be finished this summer. In addition to funding the
renovation of the dormitory, Dr. Ghassemian also helped provide the
furnishings for each room, plus two kitchenettes on each floor.
During the opening celebrations, the University President and Minister of
Education presented Dr. Ghassemian with an honorary doctorate degree from
Artsakh State University. Dr. Ghassemian, a renowned cardiologist and a
member of the Dean's Advisory Board at Boston University School of
Medicine, offered philanthropic support for future projects at Artsakh
State University. Dr. Ghassemian also took the time to answer questions
from students and inquired about their daily life at the university and
their involvement in its educational programs.
In an interview with a local newspaper, Dr. Ghassemian stated that the
renovation project was dear to his heart because his grandparents were born
in Artsakh, and that the experience brought him closer to his Armenian
heritage.
The dormitory renovation project was led by AEF Board Member, Neshan
Peroomian, who for the past ten years has personally interviewed and
selected contractors and overseen each renovation project. This renovation
project raises the total number of renovated schools in Armenia, Artsakh
and Javakhk by the Armenian Educational Foundation to over 177 schools.
AEF, as always, spends 100% of the funds received by its donors towards the
project the donors are sponsoring. `We are very grateful to Dr. Ghassemian
for his very generous donation', stated AEF President Hermineh Pakhanians.
`It is because of the generosity of individuals like Dr. Ghassemian that
AEF has for over 61 years been able to provide financial assistance to
Armenian students and educational institutions.' In 2011, AEF allocated
over $445,000 for numerous educational projects including: renovation of
schools, scholarships, computers and school supplies to village schools in
Armenia and Artsakh.
For more information or donation, please contact the AEF office at (818)
242-4154 or email [email protected].
www.aefweb.org