PRESS RELEASE
American University of Armenia
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AUA Celebrates 15th Anniversary of Independence
September 20, 2005
LOS ANGELES, CA- The American University of Armenia (AUA) will be
celebrating its 15th anniversary this year with a fundraiser dinner,
on Sunday November 12, 2006, at the Universal Sheraton Hotel. The
banquet celebrates the achievements of AUA and honors the great
philanthropic efforts of Mr. & Mrs. Vartkes and Jean Barsam and Mr. &
Mrs. Jerry and Pat Turpanjian.
AUA was a vision developed in one of the bleakest moments of Armenia’s
history. The catastrophic earthquake of Armenia in 1988 brought
about unprecedented destruction in a nation yearning to create its
own identity.
As the country set about to rebuild, the idea of an American-style
academic institution was proposed by Yuri Sarkissian, then rector
of the Yerevan Poytechnic Institute. The idea soon evolved into
a specific goal of founding a university that would bring hope and
light into a nation that seemed cloaked in darkness. Sarkissian’s idea
was put into action by the leadership of two earthquake engineers
and an economist- Mihran Agbabian, professor at the University of
Southern California, who would later become AUA’s founding president,
Armen Der Kiureghian, professor at the University of California at
Berkeley, and Stepan Karamardian, professor at the University of
California at Riverside. Thanks to the support of the Armenian and
American governments, the Armenian General Benevolent Union (AGBU),
individual donors, and the University of California, with which AUA
is affiliated, AUA began its first day of instruction on September 21,
1991, the same day Armenia declared its independence.
Today, under the leadership of President Haroutune Armenian, AUA’s
academic program provides graduate education complementing Armenia’s
undergraduate education. Parallel to its academic programs, AUA has
seven research and resource centers. By providing teaching, research,
and public services, AUA in its 15th year serves Armenia and the
region and provides a positive model in the transition to a market
economy and democratic governance. More than 1400 AUA graduates today
occupy positions of leadership in government, the judiciary, business,
health care and education. Following a rigorous review process that
relatively few universities can satisfy, AUA is also on track to
become the first overseas academic institution fully accredited by
the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC).
The banquet’s honorees have contributed greatly to AUA’s
success. Vartkes Barsam was a respected AUA trustee, serving for many
years as treasurer. He was a devoted participant in the development
of AUA from its early beginnings. During the establishment of the
American University of Armenia, Vartkes and Jean Barsam assisted
President Mihran Agbabian and later worked alongside President
Armenian by providing invaluable guidance and clearing hurdles at
each step of the way. In fact, the Barsams helped establish not
only the solid foundation of AUA, but also many essential components
that would sustain Armenia’s growth and development, including the
telecommunications infrastructure, a western business hotel to attract
investment, and diplomatic interventions with all levels of government
and the global business communities. Through the generosity of Vartkes
and Jean Barsam, the former landmark Hye Business Suites Hotel is now
AUA’s Barsam Building, affording the opportunity to house visiting
faculty and students, as well as provide rental income for university
operations. The Barsams’ contribution to AUA’s Computer Information
Sciences program has been important to the entire university. These
and many other gifts over the years complemented Vartkes Barsam’s
years of devoted service and guidance to AUA. The entire University
community mourns the recent death of Vartkes and joins with countless
others across the world in expressing its sympathy and appreciation
to Jean and to all the Barsam family.
Also to be honored for years of dedicated service, vision and
generosity to the University are Jerry and Pat Turpanjian. AUA’s
Turpanjian Center of Policy Analysis has long been a valued research
arm for Armenia and key to the advancement of the University’s School
of Political Science and International Affairs. The Turpanjian Family
Scholarship and Student Loan Program funded through AUA has enabled
more than 800 Armenian students who couldn’t otherwise afford higher
education to attend the various universities located throughout
Armenia. The Turpanjians also supported AUA’s photovoltaic solar
renewable energy system and other projects. Today, the Turpanjian
Rural Development and Adult Education Program seeks to expand the
benefits of AUA across all of Armenia and Karabagh through a unique
economic development project that combines adult education with
direct assistance in business development. This Program will have a
transforming effect on the health and well being of Armenians wherever
located. The tangible benefits of the generosity of Jerry and Pat
Turpanjian are having a direct impact in the lives of Armenians and
in the future of the country and the region.
AUA’s 15th anniversary celebrates the great vision of AUA’s founders,
and the dedication of its many supporters. The philanthropic efforts
and generous donations of all of the supporters of AUA will be honored
in addition to recognition of the Barsam and Turpanjian families. All
have contributed to 15 years of accomplishment and a brighter future
for Armenia.
Moving forward, AUA is now constructing a new, state of the art,
academic facility, the Paramaz Avedisian Building. To meet the growing
needs of AUA’s student body and faculty, and to reflect the increased
enrollment anticipated for an accredited American university, the
Avedisian Building will add modern classrooms, laboratories, lecture
halls, conference and seminar rooms, an auditorium, a café with a
terrace, and even a gallery.
The 15th anniversary celebration will help fund the efforts to
complete, furnish and equip this exciting new facility.
It is with great hope that the Armenian community will come together
for this worthwhile cause and celebration. Your support and attendance
for this event will help continue the vision that was realized
fifteen years ago and which continues to move AUA to new levels
of accomplishment, ensuring a brighter future for Armenia and all
its people.
–Boundary_(ID_022JcUriu303AcnEP8wovQ)–
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress
