Press Release
Contact: Mira Yardemian
Public Relations Director
Haigazian University
Rue Mexique – Kantari
P.O. Box 11-1748
Riad El-Solh 1107 2090
Beirut – Lebanon
Haigazian University’s 46th Commencement Ceremonies
On Friday, June the 30th, 2005, Haigazian University graduated 111
students, in the First Armenian Evangelical Church courtyard, Beirut.
The ceremony honored 101 students from the faculties of Business
Administration and Economics, Humanities, Sciences, and Social and
Behavioral Sciences with the BA and BS degrees, and 10 students with
the Masters degree.
Among a capacity audience, were present Former Minister Wadih El
Khazen, representing the President of the Republic, Minister of
Administrative Reform, Jean Oghassabian, representing the Prime
Minister, and MP. Kassem Hachem, representing the House Speaker, the
Armenian Ambassador, Vahan Der Ghevontian, in addition to a number of
deputies, former ministers, clergy, university representatives,
diplomats, members of the Board of Trustees, parents and fellow
students.
The ceremony started as Faculty and Graduates marched through the
crowd of parents, relatives and friends in a remarkable processional
march, followed by the National Anthem, and the Invocation by the
Campus Minister, Rev. Nishan Bakalian.
President Haidostian welcomed the audience, and in his trilingual
speech, expressed his joy in harvesting a new generation of
graduates.
"It is a joy to have as wings our graduating students through whom a
university can fly. It is an imperative to have as backbone our core
faculty, and as limbs our staff…It is a duty to have as quality
assurers, the community around us, as officials, supporting bodies,
friends and families…It is our utmost calling, to have as our reason
for existence open skies of the creator in whose grace all goodness
abounds", Haidostian noted.
Talking about the future, Haidosted added that "we are all proud of
a rich past heritage: but heritage should be an empowering factor for
the future…The future needs not only foundations, but the right
commitments, the right energy, the right zeal, the right orientation,
the right spirit and the right education."
The distinguished guest speaker, Dr. Aram Chobanian, President
Emeritus of Boston University, indicated to the students that as they
are among the best and brightest of their generation, much will be
expected of them. As they will become trustees of the future, they
will need to think about the tremendous global changes that will take
place during their lifetimes.
"Scarcities, extreme poverty, hunger, and illiteracy will provide a
fertile environment for violence, terrorism, religious fanaticism,
dictatorships and wars", Chobanian stated.
On another note, Chobanian explained that affluence, can also lead to
problems. For example, in countries such as the US, the excessive use
natural resources, the depletion of the forests, and the heavy use of
fuel, place the our eco-systems under stress.
Taking all these into consideration, Chobanian put on the graduates a
moral responsibility for the betterment of society, asking them to be
involved, to set their goals high, to pursue their dreams and
passions, and to never fear of failure.
Afterwards, Registrar Roubina Artinian and Deans Dr. Fadi Asrawi and
Dr. Arda Ekmekji presented the graduates to receive their degrees
from President Haidostian.
In their valedictorian addresses, Tamar Tamoukian, speaking in
English, acknowledged how has Haigazian University shaped her life
and character, transforming her into a more responsible and
self-confident person, and Omar Sukarieh, speaking in Arabic, said
that he and his fellow students are on the verge of entering a new
episode in their lives. He made everyone sure, that they will always
try to succeed as their hearts are filled with hope and faith.
After singing the Alma Mater, the ceremony was concluded with the
Benediction given by the President of the Union of the Armenian
Evangelical Churches in the Near East, Rev. Meguerdich Karageozian.
The class of 2006, threw their caps and walked heads high with a
unique recessional, while celebratory balloons flew high in the
skies.