PRESS RELEASE
Armenian Studies Program
Ingrid Peterson, Administrator
University of Michigan
1080 S. University, Suite 3633
Ann Arbor, MI 48109-1106
Phone: 734.763.0622; Fax: 734.763.4918
email: irjp@umich.edu
New Gift to the Armenian Studies Program at the University of Michigan
Continued partnership with the Manoogian Family
ANN ARBOR, MICH., April 23, 2010-
The Armenian Studies Program (ASP) at the University of Michigan is
pleased to announce new gifts from the Manoogian Simone Foundation and
the Alex and Marie Manoogian Foundation. The combine gifts total
$400,000 to support ASP programs through the 2012 academic year. The
gifts will specifically support fellowship programs for graduate
students, pre and post-doctoral fellows, and visiting scholars. In
addition to the support for specific fellows this new gift will
support workshop opportunities that will contribute to the Armenian
Studies community in general and scholars in the US and abroad,
including Armenia. This new gift extends a partnership with the
Manoogian Simone Foundation whose previous gift provided funding for
graduate and post-doctoral fellowships at UM and in Armenia,
strengthened a visiting scholar program, and made possible
international conferences, graduate workshops, and an outreach
program.
The Manoogian Simone Foundation is headed by Louise Manoogian Simone,
daughter of the late Detroit businessman and renowned benefactor Alex
Manoogian and sister of Richard Manoogian, who is Executive Chairman
of Alex Manoogian’s Fortune 500 Taylor-based Company, MASCO
Corporation. "My parents started the Armenian Studies Program at UM,"
said Simone, "and this gift will expand the program by providing funds
to prepare and train young scholars in the field as well as bring
vibrancy to the field by encouraging research on the Armenian past and
present." to study Armenian language and history, both in Michigan and
Armenia."
The Alex and Marie Manoogian Foundation, established by the patriarch
of the Manoogian family is a major contributor to Armenian cultural
and philanthropic causes is currently led by Mr. Richard Manoogian, a
major philanthropist in his own right and a renowned art collector.
The Manoogian family has given millions of dollars over the years to
philanthropic efforts benefitting Armenians, both in the homeland and
the diaspora. They have established schools, centers, churches, and
libraries throughout the world. The Manoogian family established the
Alex Manoogian Chair of Armenian History, the first of its kind in the
College of Letters, Sciences and the Arts in 1981, followed by the
Marie Manoogian Chair of Armenian Language and Literature in 1987.
Because of their generosity, UM has been able to attract leading
Armenian scholars, including professors Ronald Suny and Kevork
B. Bardakjian, as well as the current director of the Armenian Studies
Program, Gerard Libaridian. In addition to these senior scholars, the
program has sponsored 6 new graduate students in Armenian studies at
the University of Michigan, 8 post-doctoral and 8 visiting scholar
fellowships and otherwise engaged more than 70 scholars worldwide in
international conferences and some 30 graduate students in workshops.
For more information on the Armenian Studies Program at the
University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, please visit our website at
Armenian Studies Program
The University of Michigan’s Armenian Studies Program promotes the
study of Armenian history, culture, and society. A member of the
University of Michigan International Institute, the program organizes
educational opportunities for students, faculty and the community.
For more information, contact the Armenian Studies Program at (734)
763-0622 or visit
University of Michigan International Institute
The University of Michigan International Institute houses 18 centers
and programs focused on world regions and global themes. The institute
develops and supports international teaching, research, and public
affairs programs to promote global understanding across the campus and
to build connections with intellectuals and institutions
worldwide. For more information, visit
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress