Tweet
PRESS RELEASE
American University of Armenia
300 Lakeside Drive, 5th Floor
Oakland, CA 94612
Contact: Maggie Mead
Tel: 510-987-9125
Fax: 510-208-3576
E-mail: [email protected]
Web: http://www.auac.am
The American University of Armenia celebrates its 15th Anniversary with a
Gala Banquet
LOS ANGELES - As Armenia commemorates its 15th year of independence as a
republic, the American University of Armenia also celebrates the 15th
anniversary of its own founding. The University hosted a gala banquet to
honor the efforts of all who have contributed to the rapid development of
the University. In particular, a moving tribute was given to Gerry & Pat
Turpanjian, and the late Vartkes Barsam and his wife, Jean Barsam, all
dedicated supporters of AUA since its founding. The banquet took place on
November 12th at the Sheraton Universal Hotel in Universal City, California.
AUA has truly filled a niche in Armenia, by providing Western-quality
graduate education that prepares the region's youth for leadership in social
and economic development. AUA anticipates a largely increased enrollment due
to the institute's candidacy for accredition by the Western Association for
Schools and Colleges. Proceeds from the 15th anniversary banquet will
support the completion of an earthquake-reinforced educational facility,
which will house additional classroom, lecture hall, and laboratory space to
accommodate the University's growth.
The evening began with an introduction by Charles Ghailian, Master of
Ceremonies, after which both the American and Armenian national anthems were
played. The Invocation was given by Father Bartev Gulumian, representing
Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian. Welcoming words were offered by Sinan
Sinanian, the banquet committee chair and CEO of Sinanian Development of
Tarzana. Following this was a warm greeting from Dr. Rory Hume, Provost of
the University of California system and the new Chairman of the AUA Board of
Trustees. AUA was honored to welcome Dr. Hume and include him as a speaker
in the evening's program.
Dr. Haroutune K. Armenian, the President of AUA, presented an emotive speech
on the theme of excellence and integrity in education. He concluded that,
"Our motto at the AUA will continue to be excellence through relevance to
the broader Community.. Thus, AUA is not just about the youth in Armenia,
but is of relevance to your own children and grandchildren. Soon it will be
possible for them to attend a university in Armenia that is US accredited. "
Keynote speaker, the former California Governor George Deukmejian, addressed
the banquet guests after dinner by lauding AUA's commitment to its original
goals and taking a visionary look at the future. He spoke of the Turpanjian
Rural Development Project to expand educational opportunity across Armenia,
as well as the numerous opportunities now open to AUA as a result of its
accreditation candidacy. The audience responded to Deukmejian's words with
rousing applause and enthusiasm.
The honorees of the evening's festivities were then introduced by Dr.
Haroutune Armenian and AUA President Emeritus, Dr. Mihran Agbabian. Jean
Barsam and her son, Charles Barsam, on behalf of Vartkes Barsam, and Gerry
and Pat Turpanjian graciously accepted honorary plaques and framed State of
California resolutions as symbols of appreciation for their service. Charles
Barsam and Paul Turpanjian, sons of the honorees, offered a personal
response on behalf of their family members. A stirring video captured the
spirit of the unflagging energy and care given by these individuals to the
cause of AUA. Archbishop Hovnan Derderian then invited Gerry and Pat
Turpanjian to the podium and read the encyclical of His Holiness Karekin II,
Catholicos of All Armenians, praising them for their benevolence, and he
pinned on their lapels the Medal of Saint Gregory the Illuminator. The
touching ceremony was brought to a close with a message and benediction by
His Eminence.
The banquet was organized and staged by a hard-working volunteer committee
based in Los Angeles. Its members included Sinan Sinanian, Charles
Ghailian, MC, Elizabeth and Mihran Agbabian, Nellie Arslanian, Charles
Barsam, Flora Dunaians, Vahe Imasdounian, Hermine Janoyan, Silba Karayan,
Lori Muncherian, Aline Patatian, Savey Tufenkan, Dr. Harout Yaghsezian, and
Jenny Yazedjian. Other contributors included Arno Yeretzian, video
production; Arpiar Janoyan, decorations; Varujan Markarian, music; Roubina
Begoumian, reception; and Tony and Lisa Truisi, who donated banquet gifts
and memorabilia.
-----------------------------
Attach ment:
Text of Dr. Haroutune Armenian's speech at the AUA 15th Anniversary Banquet
As a new student at the American University of Beirut I was applying for a
partial scholarship that needed a faculty sponsor. I approached Professor
Khosrov Yeramian. He asked to see me and he agreed to recommend me for the
scholarship. However, he had a word of advice "As an Armenian student - he
said - you do not have to be good to succeed but you have to be better".
I remembered Professor Yeramian's advice two months ago during our AUA WASC
Accreditation review process. The first formal meeting of the distinguished
review panel is with the University President and I was asked by the
Chairman of the WASC panel President Jim Appleton to explain our
understanding of excellence. In my response I said we achieve quality by
getting to a level of an established standard in structure and process, but
that excellence is a moving target and should be judged not just by
structures and processes but by outcomes and results. I said our motto at
the AUA will continue to be excellence through relevance to the broader
Community.
As I ponder about the future of Armenia and Armenians in general, I have
come to realize that if we have to survive as a nation worthy of its
forefathers, then we need to be beyond standard quality and aim for
excellence. We need to move away from some of the mediocrity that we see
mushrooming in some sectors. Armenia can be once again, a country with a
well defined niche in the world economy and an effective contributor to the
development of human civilization. And in order to achieve it we need to
invest in excellence. During our recent expedition to climb Mount Ararat and
the subsequent visit to the area of Lake Van, organized by my wife Sona and
colleagues from the AUA, we discovered that the two masterpieces of Nareg
and Aghtamar, Nareg in poetry and philosophy and Aghtamar in architecture
and visual arts, were produced within a couple of miles of each other and
within a few decades at the end of the first millennium. A fascinating
confluence in time and place.
The American University of Armenia breeds excellence whether in Armenia or
beyond. Its first 15 years have demonstrated that it can achieve beyond
standard quality within a relatively scarce resource environment. For our
accreditation review we produced a document that lists the contributions of
the AUA that were firsts in Armenia, it is a document which is more than a
dozen pages of single line listing. Of this long list AUA's contribution to
Armenia through its graduates is probably the most significant. It is such a
sheer joy to sit with some of the over 1500 masters' degree graduates of the
AUA and hear of their daily achievements. The two persons we are honoring
this evening; Jirair Turpanjian and Vartkes Barsam, have treasured and
witnessed the role that AUA has played and will continue to play in the
future of Armenia and Armenians everywhere.
Of the long list of achievements beyond our graduates, I would like to
highlight the Digital Library of Classical Armenian writings. Today, thanks
to the AUA we can be proud as a nation to have completely digitized our
literature from the fifth to the seventeenth centuries. The importance of
having that literature in electronic format is equivalent to the work done
over three hundred years when that literature was transformed from the
manuscript format to the printed expression. Recently, this idea was picked
up by Mr. Jirair Turpanjian, and through his sponsorship, we have embarked
to digitize over the next two years the equivalent of 60,000 pages of
Western Armenian and Diasporan literature. AUA has been able to make the
best expressions of Armenian culture available to people everywhere and for
all times. The Armenian digital library will be part of the life of your
children and grand children. We are removing the problem of access to our
literature and culture for all times.
Thus, AUA is not just about those kids in Armenia but is of relevance to
your own children and grandchildren. Soon it will be possible for them to
attend a university in Armenia that is US accredited.
AUA has helped to achieve excellence because it is an institution that can
be sustained and a fortress of integrity. AUA is not a one person show it is
a model institution that others continue to emulate.
This talk is about excellence but in order to achieve excellence we need to
invest in time and money. Proceeds of this evening's event will go to
complete the Avedisian Building at the AUA. This excellent facility has
already introduced a number of firsts to Armenia in architecture and
construction technology. We have a valuable naming opportunity in this
unique building from small classrooms to major halls and Centers. Let us all
participate in building the future and let us give to AUA generously.
American University of Armenia
300 Lakeside Drive, 5th Floor
Oakland, CA 94612
Contact: Maggie Mead
Tel: 510-987-9125
Fax: 510-208-3576
E-mail: [email protected]
Web: http://www.auac.am
The American University of Armenia celebrates its 15th Anniversary with a
Gala Banquet
LOS ANGELES - As Armenia commemorates its 15th year of independence as a
republic, the American University of Armenia also celebrates the 15th
anniversary of its own founding. The University hosted a gala banquet to
honor the efforts of all who have contributed to the rapid development of
the University. In particular, a moving tribute was given to Gerry & Pat
Turpanjian, and the late Vartkes Barsam and his wife, Jean Barsam, all
dedicated supporters of AUA since its founding. The banquet took place on
November 12th at the Sheraton Universal Hotel in Universal City, California.
AUA has truly filled a niche in Armenia, by providing Western-quality
graduate education that prepares the region's youth for leadership in social
and economic development. AUA anticipates a largely increased enrollment due
to the institute's candidacy for accredition by the Western Association for
Schools and Colleges. Proceeds from the 15th anniversary banquet will
support the completion of an earthquake-reinforced educational facility,
which will house additional classroom, lecture hall, and laboratory space to
accommodate the University's growth.
The evening began with an introduction by Charles Ghailian, Master of
Ceremonies, after which both the American and Armenian national anthems were
played. The Invocation was given by Father Bartev Gulumian, representing
Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian. Welcoming words were offered by Sinan
Sinanian, the banquet committee chair and CEO of Sinanian Development of
Tarzana. Following this was a warm greeting from Dr. Rory Hume, Provost of
the University of California system and the new Chairman of the AUA Board of
Trustees. AUA was honored to welcome Dr. Hume and include him as a speaker
in the evening's program.
Dr. Haroutune K. Armenian, the President of AUA, presented an emotive speech
on the theme of excellence and integrity in education. He concluded that,
"Our motto at the AUA will continue to be excellence through relevance to
the broader Community.. Thus, AUA is not just about the youth in Armenia,
but is of relevance to your own children and grandchildren. Soon it will be
possible for them to attend a university in Armenia that is US accredited. "
Keynote speaker, the former California Governor George Deukmejian, addressed
the banquet guests after dinner by lauding AUA's commitment to its original
goals and taking a visionary look at the future. He spoke of the Turpanjian
Rural Development Project to expand educational opportunity across Armenia,
as well as the numerous opportunities now open to AUA as a result of its
accreditation candidacy. The audience responded to Deukmejian's words with
rousing applause and enthusiasm.
The honorees of the evening's festivities were then introduced by Dr.
Haroutune Armenian and AUA President Emeritus, Dr. Mihran Agbabian. Jean
Barsam and her son, Charles Barsam, on behalf of Vartkes Barsam, and Gerry
and Pat Turpanjian graciously accepted honorary plaques and framed State of
California resolutions as symbols of appreciation for their service. Charles
Barsam and Paul Turpanjian, sons of the honorees, offered a personal
response on behalf of their family members. A stirring video captured the
spirit of the unflagging energy and care given by these individuals to the
cause of AUA. Archbishop Hovnan Derderian then invited Gerry and Pat
Turpanjian to the podium and read the encyclical of His Holiness Karekin II,
Catholicos of All Armenians, praising them for their benevolence, and he
pinned on their lapels the Medal of Saint Gregory the Illuminator. The
touching ceremony was brought to a close with a message and benediction by
His Eminence.
The banquet was organized and staged by a hard-working volunteer committee
based in Los Angeles. Its members included Sinan Sinanian, Charles
Ghailian, MC, Elizabeth and Mihran Agbabian, Nellie Arslanian, Charles
Barsam, Flora Dunaians, Vahe Imasdounian, Hermine Janoyan, Silba Karayan,
Lori Muncherian, Aline Patatian, Savey Tufenkan, Dr. Harout Yaghsezian, and
Jenny Yazedjian. Other contributors included Arno Yeretzian, video
production; Arpiar Janoyan, decorations; Varujan Markarian, music; Roubina
Begoumian, reception; and Tony and Lisa Truisi, who donated banquet gifts
and memorabilia.
-----------------------------
Attach ment:
Text of Dr. Haroutune Armenian's speech at the AUA 15th Anniversary Banquet
As a new student at the American University of Beirut I was applying for a
partial scholarship that needed a faculty sponsor. I approached Professor
Khosrov Yeramian. He asked to see me and he agreed to recommend me for the
scholarship. However, he had a word of advice "As an Armenian student - he
said - you do not have to be good to succeed but you have to be better".
I remembered Professor Yeramian's advice two months ago during our AUA WASC
Accreditation review process. The first formal meeting of the distinguished
review panel is with the University President and I was asked by the
Chairman of the WASC panel President Jim Appleton to explain our
understanding of excellence. In my response I said we achieve quality by
getting to a level of an established standard in structure and process, but
that excellence is a moving target and should be judged not just by
structures and processes but by outcomes and results. I said our motto at
the AUA will continue to be excellence through relevance to the broader
Community.
As I ponder about the future of Armenia and Armenians in general, I have
come to realize that if we have to survive as a nation worthy of its
forefathers, then we need to be beyond standard quality and aim for
excellence. We need to move away from some of the mediocrity that we see
mushrooming in some sectors. Armenia can be once again, a country with a
well defined niche in the world economy and an effective contributor to the
development of human civilization. And in order to achieve it we need to
invest in excellence. During our recent expedition to climb Mount Ararat and
the subsequent visit to the area of Lake Van, organized by my wife Sona and
colleagues from the AUA, we discovered that the two masterpieces of Nareg
and Aghtamar, Nareg in poetry and philosophy and Aghtamar in architecture
and visual arts, were produced within a couple of miles of each other and
within a few decades at the end of the first millennium. A fascinating
confluence in time and place.
The American University of Armenia breeds excellence whether in Armenia or
beyond. Its first 15 years have demonstrated that it can achieve beyond
standard quality within a relatively scarce resource environment. For our
accreditation review we produced a document that lists the contributions of
the AUA that were firsts in Armenia, it is a document which is more than a
dozen pages of single line listing. Of this long list AUA's contribution to
Armenia through its graduates is probably the most significant. It is such a
sheer joy to sit with some of the over 1500 masters' degree graduates of the
AUA and hear of their daily achievements. The two persons we are honoring
this evening; Jirair Turpanjian and Vartkes Barsam, have treasured and
witnessed the role that AUA has played and will continue to play in the
future of Armenia and Armenians everywhere.
Of the long list of achievements beyond our graduates, I would like to
highlight the Digital Library of Classical Armenian writings. Today, thanks
to the AUA we can be proud as a nation to have completely digitized our
literature from the fifth to the seventeenth centuries. The importance of
having that literature in electronic format is equivalent to the work done
over three hundred years when that literature was transformed from the
manuscript format to the printed expression. Recently, this idea was picked
up by Mr. Jirair Turpanjian, and through his sponsorship, we have embarked
to digitize over the next two years the equivalent of 60,000 pages of
Western Armenian and Diasporan literature. AUA has been able to make the
best expressions of Armenian culture available to people everywhere and for
all times. The Armenian digital library will be part of the life of your
children and grand children. We are removing the problem of access to our
literature and culture for all times.
Thus, AUA is not just about those kids in Armenia but is of relevance to
your own children and grandchildren. Soon it will be possible for them to
attend a university in Armenia that is US accredited.
AUA has helped to achieve excellence because it is an institution that can
be sustained and a fortress of integrity. AUA is not a one person show it is
a model institution that others continue to emulate.
This talk is about excellence but in order to achieve excellence we need to
invest in time and money. Proceeds of this evening's event will go to
complete the Avedisian Building at the AUA. This excellent facility has
already introduced a number of firsts to Armenia in architecture and
construction technology. We have a valuable naming opportunity in this
unique building from small classrooms to major halls and Centers. Let us all
participate in building the future and let us give to AUA generously.