PRESS RELEASE
September 14, 2004
American University of Armenia Corporation
300 Lakeside Drive, 4th Floor
Oakland, CA 94612
Telephone: (510) 987-9452
Fax: (510) 208-3576
Contact: Gohar Momjian
E-mail: gohar@auac.net
AUA LAW DEPARTMENT PLAYS LOS ANGELES
A standing-room-only crowd of almost 100 people were in attendance in
Pasadena, California, on August 20, as the Armenian Professional Society
presented a program entitled: “Current Issues in Armenia: Report from the
American University of Armenia Law Department.” Half-the-world away from
Yerevan, four members of the AUA administration were in Pasadena for the
event, which was generally acclaimed as a resounding success.
The program began with a thorough report on the current status of AUA by Dr.
Haroutune K. Armenian, President of AUA. Dr. Armenian spoke of many sides
of AUA, including its plans for expanding its role in international
education and its application for accreditation by the Western Association
of Schools and Colleges (WASC).
The Law Department’s two resident professors then spoke on how things are in
Armenia with respect to two social and legal problems. Associate Dean
Matthew Karanian spoke of Armenia’s environmental problems, including the
risk to Lake Sevan, and of the difference between the relevant law as
written and as applied on the ground.
Sara J. Anjargolian, Assistant Dean of the Law Department, spoke of the
status of women in Armenia and the differences in attitude and social
conventions between Armenian and American women.
A special guest, Judge (ret.) Aram Serverian of the Superior Court for San
Mateo County, California, who came from Northern California to attend the
event, spoke entertainingly of his experience as a visiting professor at
AUA, his highly favorable impressions of the Law Department students, and of
the Department’s need for financial support.
There followed a lively session of questions from the audience, followed in
turn by refreshments, conversations, and financial contributions to AUA.
The high and enthusiastic interest in AUA shown by the Armenian professional
community in Los Angeles — following a similar program presented in San
Francisco last January by the A.G.B.U. — may well stimulate future programs
of this nature.
The program was coordinated and m.c.’d by Professor Stephen Barnett, Dean of
the AUA Law Department. It was conceived and developed by Betty
Jamgotchian, Esq., director of the Armenian Professional Society, together
with Sara Anjargolian.
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The American University of Armenia is registered as a non-profit educational
organization in both Armenia and the United States and is affiliated with
the Regents of the University of California. Receiving major support from
the AGBU, AUA offers instruction leading to the Masters Degree in eight
graduate programs. For more information about AUA, visit
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress