Tweet
HOVANNISIAN HONORED AT FRESNO ARMENIAN STUDIES ANNIVERSARY EVENT
asbarez
Monday, April 16th, 2012
Prof. Hovannisian at the Fresno event
FRESNO-The Armenian Studies Program at California State University,
Fresno held its gala 24th Anniversary Banquet, on Sunday, March 11
in the elegant banquet hall of the Fort Washington Golf & Country
Club in Fresno.
More than 260 community members joined with Fresno State President Dr.
John Welty, College of Arts and Humanities Dean Dr. Vida Samiian,
and faculty, students, and friends of the Armenian Studies Program
to mark the special occasion.
Prof. Barlow Der Mugrdechian, Director of the Armenian Studies Program,
welcomed guests on behalf of the Program and gave a brief message on
the Program's activities in the 2011-2012 academic year.
This year marked the 35th anniversary of the establishment of the
Armenian Studies Program at Fresno State. An informative Banquet
Program included the concise history of the Program's activities.
Prof. Sergio La Porta, Berberian Professor of Armenian Studies,
spoke about the Program and about its growth in recent years.
Judge Chuck Poochigian, Dr. Richard Hovannisian, Prof. Barlow Der
Mugdechian, Fresno County Board of Surpervisor Chairman Debbie
Poochigian
Dr. Richard Hovannisian, AEF Professor Emeritus of Modern Armenian
History at UCLA was the honored guest at the Banquet and the keynote
speaker for the evening. He was recognized with several proclamations,
including one from the Fresno County Board of Supervisors, bestowed in
person by Debbie Poochigian, Chairman of the Board of Supervisors. The
Fresno City Council also declared March 11 as "Dr. Richard Hovannisian
Day" in Fresno, thanks to the efforts of Councilman Andreas Borgeas.
Valley legislators recognized Dr. Hovannisian with a proclamation
lauding his years of teaching and research, thanks to Mary Alice
Kaloostian, District Director for California State Senator Tom
Berryhill.
Fresno State President Dr. John Welty awarded Dr. Hovannisian with
the "President's Medal of Distinction," the highest non-degree award
presented by California State University, Fresno. It is presented
to citizens of the region, state or nation whose contribution in the
area of professional achievements or public service are of national
or international significance, or represent a contribution of great
significance to the university.
Dr. Hovannisian, gave an inspiring speech as he reflected on a long
academic career. His address was both emotional and inspirational. He
was the first to teach Armenian courses at Fresno State in 1960-1962,
when he taught several extension courses. While teaching those Armenian
courses, he also learned more about Armenian history, rediscovering
his own roots.
Dr. Hovannisian reflected on his childhood and the role his
grandparents and parents had in shaping his life. His childhood
on the family farm affected him greatly and he emphasized the most
important lesson he had gained, which was the idea that change was
possible everyone, slowly but surely.
Following the keynote address, student recipients of Armenian Studies
Program scholarships received a congratulatory letter from California
Senator, Dianne Feinstein, and a gift of the book, Follow, written
by William Saroyan, from the Armenian Studies Program. More than
40 students were recognized for receiving the scholarships, and for
graduating with a Minor in Armenian Studies.
The 24th Annual Armenian Studies Program Banquet was a great success.
It was an occasion to reflect on the past years and to look forward
to the future.
asbarez
Monday, April 16th, 2012
Prof. Hovannisian at the Fresno event
FRESNO-The Armenian Studies Program at California State University,
Fresno held its gala 24th Anniversary Banquet, on Sunday, March 11
in the elegant banquet hall of the Fort Washington Golf & Country
Club in Fresno.
More than 260 community members joined with Fresno State President Dr.
John Welty, College of Arts and Humanities Dean Dr. Vida Samiian,
and faculty, students, and friends of the Armenian Studies Program
to mark the special occasion.
Prof. Barlow Der Mugrdechian, Director of the Armenian Studies Program,
welcomed guests on behalf of the Program and gave a brief message on
the Program's activities in the 2011-2012 academic year.
This year marked the 35th anniversary of the establishment of the
Armenian Studies Program at Fresno State. An informative Banquet
Program included the concise history of the Program's activities.
Prof. Sergio La Porta, Berberian Professor of Armenian Studies,
spoke about the Program and about its growth in recent years.
Judge Chuck Poochigian, Dr. Richard Hovannisian, Prof. Barlow Der
Mugdechian, Fresno County Board of Surpervisor Chairman Debbie
Poochigian
Dr. Richard Hovannisian, AEF Professor Emeritus of Modern Armenian
History at UCLA was the honored guest at the Banquet and the keynote
speaker for the evening. He was recognized with several proclamations,
including one from the Fresno County Board of Supervisors, bestowed in
person by Debbie Poochigian, Chairman of the Board of Supervisors. The
Fresno City Council also declared March 11 as "Dr. Richard Hovannisian
Day" in Fresno, thanks to the efforts of Councilman Andreas Borgeas.
Valley legislators recognized Dr. Hovannisian with a proclamation
lauding his years of teaching and research, thanks to Mary Alice
Kaloostian, District Director for California State Senator Tom
Berryhill.
Fresno State President Dr. John Welty awarded Dr. Hovannisian with
the "President's Medal of Distinction," the highest non-degree award
presented by California State University, Fresno. It is presented
to citizens of the region, state or nation whose contribution in the
area of professional achievements or public service are of national
or international significance, or represent a contribution of great
significance to the university.
Dr. Hovannisian, gave an inspiring speech as he reflected on a long
academic career. His address was both emotional and inspirational. He
was the first to teach Armenian courses at Fresno State in 1960-1962,
when he taught several extension courses. While teaching those Armenian
courses, he also learned more about Armenian history, rediscovering
his own roots.
Dr. Hovannisian reflected on his childhood and the role his
grandparents and parents had in shaping his life. His childhood
on the family farm affected him greatly and he emphasized the most
important lesson he had gained, which was the idea that change was
possible everyone, slowly but surely.
Following the keynote address, student recipients of Armenian Studies
Program scholarships received a congratulatory letter from California
Senator, Dianne Feinstein, and a gift of the book, Follow, written
by William Saroyan, from the Armenian Studies Program. More than
40 students were recognized for receiving the scholarships, and for
graduating with a Minor in Armenian Studies.
The 24th Annual Armenian Studies Program Banquet was a great success.
It was an occasion to reflect on the past years and to look forward
to the future.