PRESS RELEASE
MASHDOTS COLLEGE
411 E. Acacia Avenue
Glendale, CA 91205
Contact: Sofi Boyle
Tel: (818) 548-9345
Fax: (818) 548-9342
E-mail: mashdots @aol.com
Web: mashdotscollege.org
DR. GARBIS DER-YEGHIAYAN RECIPIENT OF ROTARY WORLD’S 2007 HIGHEST
HONOR
Dr. Garbis Der-Yeghiayan, a distinguished Rotary International leader
and the first Armenian American District Governor in the history of
Rotary International, was awarded Rotary International’s highest
honor, the "Service Above Self" award, on Saturday, May 26, 2007 at an
impressive Gala Banquet held in Rancho Mirage, California and attended
by Rotary International District 5300 club delegates, Rotary
International leaders, family members and friends. The surprise
announcement was made by Stu Anderson, immediate Past District
Governor, while Dr. Der-Yeghiayan was being escorted to the stage by
the current District Governor, Chris Montan. The announcement was
greeted with thundering applause and a long standing ovation as
Governor Steve Wilcox of Wisconsin made the presentation on behalf of
Rotary International President Bill Boyd and the Board of Directors.
In his congratulatory commendation to Dr. Der-Yeghiayan, President
Bill Boyd stated, "The Board was faced with the challenge of selecting
the very best from a pool of exceptional candidates. It is my very
great pleasure to inform you that you have been selected to receive
this honor. With this award, you are being recognized for the
contributions you have made through Rotary over the years. You are an
extraordinary example of how each Rotarian can make a difference. I am
proud of the work you have done and to have you as my fellow
Rotarian."
Dr. Der-Yeghiayan joined the Rotary Club of La Verne in 1981, served
as club president in 1984-1985 and District (California-Nevada)
Governor in 1999-2000. He has chaired numerous club, District, Zone
and International level committees and has represented the President
of Rotary International to District Conferences throughout the
world. He is the founder of Rotary International District 5300 Peace
Conferences and has initiated numerous new projects promoting global
and regional peace efforts. In 2002, he was recognized as "Rotary’s
Most Distinguished Governor and World Champion" at the Rotary
International Convention held in Barcelona, Spain. He is the recipient
of a score of honors and recognitions, including the title of "Peace
Ambassador" and "Rotary’s Best". Through his efforts, the first
Rotary Club was established in the former Soviet Union – – in Yerevan,
Armenia. He is a dynamic speaker and has delivered more than
one-thousand speeches to Rotary clubs worldwide. In March, 2005, he
co-chaired and served as keynote speaker of the first "Rotary Caucasus
Peace Conference" held in Ankara, Turkey with the most profound and
courageous message for an audience, including individuals from
Armenia, Turkey, Azerbaijan, Georgia, France and the United States.
Dr. Der-Yeghiayan has been honored by the White House, 26 heads of
States, the U.S. Congress, 32 U.S. Governors, 5 County Boards of
Supervisors, 52 U.S. Mayors, a score of University Presidents and
numerous local, national and international organizations for his
leadership role both in higher education (as prsesident of Mashdots
College) and in Rotary International.
Rotary International is the world’s first and oldest service
organization established in Chicago, Illinois in 1905 with a
membership of more than 1.2 million professionals and branches in
33,000 cities in 200 countries and geographical regions of the world.