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ARIZONA: MELIKIAN TO RECEIVE 2013 ELLIS ISLAND MEDAL OF HONOR
US Official News
April 24, 2013 Wednesday
Department of Education, The State of Arizona has issued the following
press release:
Gregory J. Melikian, the namesake and longtime benefactor of The
Melikian Center for Russian, Eurasian and East European Studies at
Arizona State University, will be awarded a 2013 Ellis Island Medal
of Honor award given by The National Ethnic Coalition of Organizations
(NECO), sponsor of the Ellis Island Medals of Honor.
The 27th Annual Ellis Island Medals Of Honor ceremony will take place
on Saturday, May 11 on Ellis Island, honoring leaders of entertainment,
business, government, military, education, sports, media, healthcare
and other dignitaries. The Medals of Honor ceremony will pay tribute
to 90 American citizens of diverse ethnic origins whose influence
and achievements inspire and touch the lives of people everywhere.
Melikian has a longstanding commitment to his community and nation. In
WWII, he was a young 20-year-old sergeant with Supreme Headquarters
Allied Expeditionary Forces (SHAEF) headquartered in Versailles and
Reims France in 1944-1945. He was a telegraph radio operator under
the command of Supreme Commander General Dwight D. Eisenhower. At
3:30 a.m. on May 7, 1945, it was Melikian who was chosen to announce
to all military forces and world leaders, the unconditional surrender
of Germany and the end of WWII in Europe.
After obtaining a law degree in 1948, he established a successful
practice in New York City, specializing in real estate law. Melikian
would eventually become a New York City Courts arbitration judge,
but his true joy became the purchase and restoration of historic
buildings. After buying his first building in 1951, he would go on
to amass 32 properties by the time he retired from real estate in 1979.
After moving to Arizona in 1969, Gregory and his wife Emma Ordjanian
Melikian helped the then small Armenian community build and establish
The Armenian Community Center - Melikian Hall - of the Armenian
Apostolic Church of Arizona.
Melikian has been a generous supporter of education and the arts
in Arizona, serving as a board member of the Phoenix Symphony and
President of the Arizona Opera Company in the 1980s.
In 2007, the Melikian's partnership with ASU and support was recognized
with the naming of The Melikian Center for Russian, Eurasian and East
European Studies in ASU's College of Liberal Arts and Sciences. The
center's programming includes the internationally recognized Critical
Languages Institute, which offers intensive instruction in the less
commonly taught languages of Eastern Europe and Eurasia, including
Albanian, Armenian, Russian, Persian, Polish, Tatar, Ukrainian, Uzbek,
Bosnian/Croatian/Serbian, Pashto and Hebrew.
The center also supports undergraduate and graduate students
by offering grant mentoring workshops for those hoping to study
overseas in Europe and Eurasia with Fulbright International Educational
Exchange, National Security Education Program (NSEP) Boren Fellowships
or Gilman International Scholarship programs, among other activities.
In 2008, ASU President Michael Crow presented the Melikians the
University Medal of Excellence for their leadership and civic
engagement. The University Medal of Excellence honors innovative
leaders who have advanced awareness and action on issues that affect
the well-being and positive development of their communities.
Melikian served as Honorary Commander of the 56th Fighter Wing and
944th Fighter Wing of the Air Force Reserve at Luke Air Force Base
in Arizona for which he is now retired.
In 2012, for his unique role as "The Man Who Ended WWII" in Europe,
Melikian was inducted and bestowed as Chevalier (Knight) into the
French Legion of Honor. He was recommended for this award, the highest
decoration in France, by French President Francois Hollande.
"I am delighted and honored to receive the Ellis Island Medal of
Honor," said Melikian, when he was notified of his selection for the
award. "It's a testament to my Armenian immigrant parents who fled
the Ottoman Empire and arrived on Ellis Island to start a new life
for their family."
The Ellis Island Medal of Honor ranks among the nation's most
prestigious awards. The medals are awarded annually to outstanding
American citizens from all walks of life, who have distinguished
themselves through their significant contributions to this country.
Past medal recipients include six Presidents of the United States,
Nobel Prize winners, athletes, leaders of industry, artists and others
whose work has made a lasting impact on humanity. Each year, the U.S.
Senate and House of Representatives officially recognize the Ellis
Island Medals of Honor, and list the recipients in the Congressional
Record.
For further information please visit: https://asunews.asu.edu/
US Official News
April 24, 2013 Wednesday
Department of Education, The State of Arizona has issued the following
press release:
Gregory J. Melikian, the namesake and longtime benefactor of The
Melikian Center for Russian, Eurasian and East European Studies at
Arizona State University, will be awarded a 2013 Ellis Island Medal
of Honor award given by The National Ethnic Coalition of Organizations
(NECO), sponsor of the Ellis Island Medals of Honor.
The 27th Annual Ellis Island Medals Of Honor ceremony will take place
on Saturday, May 11 on Ellis Island, honoring leaders of entertainment,
business, government, military, education, sports, media, healthcare
and other dignitaries. The Medals of Honor ceremony will pay tribute
to 90 American citizens of diverse ethnic origins whose influence
and achievements inspire and touch the lives of people everywhere.
Melikian has a longstanding commitment to his community and nation. In
WWII, he was a young 20-year-old sergeant with Supreme Headquarters
Allied Expeditionary Forces (SHAEF) headquartered in Versailles and
Reims France in 1944-1945. He was a telegraph radio operator under
the command of Supreme Commander General Dwight D. Eisenhower. At
3:30 a.m. on May 7, 1945, it was Melikian who was chosen to announce
to all military forces and world leaders, the unconditional surrender
of Germany and the end of WWII in Europe.
After obtaining a law degree in 1948, he established a successful
practice in New York City, specializing in real estate law. Melikian
would eventually become a New York City Courts arbitration judge,
but his true joy became the purchase and restoration of historic
buildings. After buying his first building in 1951, he would go on
to amass 32 properties by the time he retired from real estate in 1979.
After moving to Arizona in 1969, Gregory and his wife Emma Ordjanian
Melikian helped the then small Armenian community build and establish
The Armenian Community Center - Melikian Hall - of the Armenian
Apostolic Church of Arizona.
Melikian has been a generous supporter of education and the arts
in Arizona, serving as a board member of the Phoenix Symphony and
President of the Arizona Opera Company in the 1980s.
In 2007, the Melikian's partnership with ASU and support was recognized
with the naming of The Melikian Center for Russian, Eurasian and East
European Studies in ASU's College of Liberal Arts and Sciences. The
center's programming includes the internationally recognized Critical
Languages Institute, which offers intensive instruction in the less
commonly taught languages of Eastern Europe and Eurasia, including
Albanian, Armenian, Russian, Persian, Polish, Tatar, Ukrainian, Uzbek,
Bosnian/Croatian/Serbian, Pashto and Hebrew.
The center also supports undergraduate and graduate students
by offering grant mentoring workshops for those hoping to study
overseas in Europe and Eurasia with Fulbright International Educational
Exchange, National Security Education Program (NSEP) Boren Fellowships
or Gilman International Scholarship programs, among other activities.
In 2008, ASU President Michael Crow presented the Melikians the
University Medal of Excellence for their leadership and civic
engagement. The University Medal of Excellence honors innovative
leaders who have advanced awareness and action on issues that affect
the well-being and positive development of their communities.
Melikian served as Honorary Commander of the 56th Fighter Wing and
944th Fighter Wing of the Air Force Reserve at Luke Air Force Base
in Arizona for which he is now retired.
In 2012, for his unique role as "The Man Who Ended WWII" in Europe,
Melikian was inducted and bestowed as Chevalier (Knight) into the
French Legion of Honor. He was recommended for this award, the highest
decoration in France, by French President Francois Hollande.
"I am delighted and honored to receive the Ellis Island Medal of
Honor," said Melikian, when he was notified of his selection for the
award. "It's a testament to my Armenian immigrant parents who fled
the Ottoman Empire and arrived on Ellis Island to start a new life
for their family."
The Ellis Island Medal of Honor ranks among the nation's most
prestigious awards. The medals are awarded annually to outstanding
American citizens from all walks of life, who have distinguished
themselves through their significant contributions to this country.
Past medal recipients include six Presidents of the United States,
Nobel Prize winners, athletes, leaders of industry, artists and others
whose work has made a lasting impact on humanity. Each year, the U.S.
Senate and House of Representatives officially recognize the Ellis
Island Medals of Honor, and list the recipients in the Congressional
Record.
For further information please visit: https://asunews.asu.edu/