ARTHUR MKOYAN TO STUDY IN DAVIS COLLEGE DUE TO BENEFACTOR

Noyan Tapan

Au g 11, 2008

FRESNO, AUGUST 11, ARMENIANS TODAY – NOYAN TAPAN. A generous benefactor
has made a Bullard High School valedictorian’s university hopes
a reality.

Arthur Mkoyan, 17, said Wednesday that he’ll be attending the
University of California, Davis, thanks to a Danville woman who read
about his plight and decided to help him in a big way.

Mkoyan, whose college dream was nearly destroyed by deportation to
Armenia, will attend his first college choice after all. A month ago,
Mkoyan decided to go to Fresno City College because his family couldn’t
afford UC Davis and he didn’t qualify for state and federal financial
aid because he’s neither a U.S. citizen nor a legal permanent resident.

Mkoyan’s benefactor, Sherry Heacox who operates a food- import
business was touched by his story and decided to pay for his four
years at UC Davis.

Mkoyan and his parents, who all faced deportation, were allowed to
stay in the United States after Sen. Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif.,
introduced a private bill on Mkoyan’s behalf in June.