PRESS RELEASE
Haigazian University
Public Relations Director
Mira Yardemian
Mexique Street, Kantari, Beirut
P.O.Box. 11-1748
Riad El Solh 1107 2090
Tel: 01-353010/1/2
01-349230/1
Haigazian University Celebrates the Laying of the Foundation of its
Heritage Building
Beirut, January 28, 2009- On January 27, 2009, during a small, yet
festive ceremony, Haigazian University laid the foundations of its newly
acquired Heritage Building, in the presence of the President of the
Union of the Armenian Evangelical Churches in the Near East, Rev.
Meguerdich Karageozian, University President, Rev. Dr. Paul Haidostian,
Member of Parliament, Hagop Pakradouni, in addition to Board members,
staff, faculty and project consultants and engineers.
In his word of welcome, President Haidostian talked about the role
Haigazian University conducts in preserving culture, and in this case
preserving the outer façade of the building and refurbishing the inner
parts in a most modern way. In addition he thanked all the supporters of
this building project, the past and future donors, Board members, and
all those who are playing a role in making this possible.
Then, Public Relations Director, Mira Yardemian, invited a select number
of staff, faculty, alumni and board members to fill the safe box with
items of relevant symbolic values to Haigazian University. Items
included a Holy Bible in Armenian, the Haigazian constitution and
bylaws, cedar wood from Lebanon, soil from Armenia, the annual report of
the Armenian Missionary Association of America, the 2008 issue of the
Haigazian Armenological Review, the university yearbook, Focus, the
Alumni newsletter, Inspirit, the university catalogue, a Lebanese bill
of 1000 liras, and a USB including the daily newspapers in electronic
form.
Following this ritual, Rev. Karageozian and Vice Chair of the Board of
Trustees, Rev. Robert Sarkissian, and MP Pakradouni, joined President
Haidostian in safely depositing the box under the soil and to laying the
foundation over its cover.
Rev. Karageozian read a passage from the Bible, Ephesians 2:19-22 ,
followed by a prayer of dedication.
With its 6 floors and around 1260 meters total square surface, the new
Heritage Building will serve a dual academic and administrative purpose.
And as President Haidostian stated, "it will be an additional link
between Mexique and May Ziadeh streets, hoping to symbolize more and
more open channels, transparency, and gentle communication among
people".
Laying the foundation of the Heritage building was a cornerstone in
Haigazian’s history of expansion. The project started a few years ago,
and almost one year is left for its completion. The major part of
fundraising has been already conducted by the AMAA, and Board members in
the USA. Yet, the challenge lies in accomplishing the remaining campaign
to be carried out during this year also in Lebanon.
Indeed, it is worth concluding with few quotes from Rev. Karageozian’s
prayer, saying, "Lord, we are laying the foundation for the construction
of a facility in which future generations will work, meet and study. We
pray that you empower Haigazian University to accomplish your purposes
for the community, and through it, for the whole creation."