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PRESS RELEASE
Monday, March 1, 2010
AGBU Young Professionals of Greater New York and Los Angeles Donate
$2000 to American University of Armenia’s ACM Digital Library
By Aleen L. Khanjian
Los Angeles – The AGBU Young Professionals of Greater New York (YPGNY)
and the Young Professionals of Los Angeles (YPLA), along with many YP
Groups around the world, have embraced various fundraising projects that
they subsidize and support annually. In 2009, YPGNY and YPLA continued
their tradition of supporting one of these key fundraising projects by
donating to the Association for Computing Machinery (ACM) Digital
Library in Yerevan’s American University of Armenia (AUA).
As Dr. Barry Levine, Director of AUA Computer and Information Science
Program, states, "ACM is the flagship computing organization supporting
research and educational activities on an international scale. It is
essential for our program, faculty, and students to have access to the
latest publications to support their research and educational efforts.
To this end, we are indebted to young professionals in New York and Los
Angeles for their continuing financial support towards the costs of
institutional membership in ACM, including the Digital Library
subscription." In response, YPLA Chair Narine Zardarian says, "As the
oldest YP board in the world, YPLA is committed to supporting one of the
AGBU Young Professionals’ nearest and dearest fundraising projects. This
is why our board did not hesitate to donate another $750 for this term."
As a staunch supporter, YPGNY also proudly continues its efforts toward
this worthwhile cause. "Each year, YPGNY hosts a specific fundraising
event, whose proceeds benefit the ACM Digital Library. On October 30,
2009, young Armenians filled Manhattan’s Canal Room for a Halloween Eve
"Rocktoberfest" featuring a musical showcase of Armenian artists. The
generous support of the young Armenian-American community in the greater
New York area helped raise $1,250 for the ACM Digital Library at the
AUA," proudly exclaimed YPGNY chair and Rocktoberfest organizer Aline
Markarian.
To date, AGBU YP contributions to this cause total over $10,000. In
appreciation of the generosity and true partnership represented by the
numerous fundraising activities of the various groups, the AGBU YPs were
recognized by AUA with an inscription of the organization’s name on the
marble AUA Honor Wall at the entrance of the campus, joining the
longstanding list of donors who share in this vision.
Satenik Avakian, AUA Library Director, says, "In the long-term history
of nations, the wealth of intellectual products is more consequential
and significant than material wealth. An informed and knowledgeable
society is what most nations are striving for and we as a university
have an important role to play in the development of such a society. ACM
Digital Library advances education through initiatives that address the
changing needs of students and professionals in computing and
information technologies. It is so important that the library provides
computer-based databases that allow students to conduct much of their
research without setting foot in the library."
There is no doubt that this cooperative effort is of tremendous value to
the university. AUA President Dr. Haroutune Armenian adds, "Your very
important contribution…provides a valuable technical resource for our
Computer and Information Science (CIS) students and others in the
community. In so doing, you are assisting AUA in providing American
accredited graduate education in Armenia. The thoughtfulness of AGBU
Young Professionals is helping to transform the lives of our students,
shape their communities and advance the development and well being of
Armenia."
The AGBU Young Professionals (YP) are a growing network of groups and
supporters around the world who are committed to preserving and
promoting the Armenian identity and heritage through educational,
cultural and humanitarian programs for young Armenians between the ages
of 22 to 40. For more information, please visit
For more information about AGBU and its worldwide programs, please visit