EECU AD 05/01-06-31
Fresno State's student-run newspaper

The Collegian
Fresno State's student-run newspaper

The Collegian
Fresno State's student-run newspaper

The Collegian
Categories:

December 2023-Hye Sharzhoom

Dec 15, 2023
Donate to The Collegian
$595
$1500
Contributed
Our Goal

Your donation will support the student journalists of Fresno State Your contribution will allow us to purchase equipment and cover our annual website hosting costs.

More to Discover
More in Ethnic Supplements
Estudiantes e instructores se reúnen después de la práctica.
Cumbre Folclórica de Preparatorias
Estudiantes e instructores se reúnen después de la práctica.
High School Folklorico Summit
Graduates sitting at spring commencement on May 20, 2025.
A Look Into Fresno State’s 50th Annual Chicano/Latino Commencement Ceremony
Prof. Bedross Der Matossian, left, with Prof. Barlow Der Mugrdechian at the Genocide Awareness Week, April 16.
Genocide Awareness Week Panel Features Artsakh and Armenia
Armenian Studies 2025-2026 Scholarship Recipients
Armenian Studies Awards Record Amount of Scholarships - $137,000 to Fifty-One Students
NELLIE CHOBANYAN STAFF WRITER On Sunday, March 22, 2026, the Fresno State Armenian Studies Program hosted its Thirty-Eighth Annual Banquet at Fort Washington Country Club. This banquet brought together students, faculty, donors, and community members for an evening that reflected both the depth of the program’s legacy and the strength of its future. This year’s banquet honored Fresno State President Dr. Saúl Jiménez-Sandoval, on the fifth anniversary of his appointment, while also recognizing scholarship recipients and graduating Armenian Studies Minors. Importantly, the evening served as a meaningful personification of the intergenerational community that has and will continue to sustain the Central Valley as a whole. Prof. Barlow Der Mugrdechian opened the evening by emphasizing the continuity of that community, pointing to the wide range of Fresno State alumni in attendance. Reflecting on this, he asked the audience to consider “all of these people from all of these different eras of Fresno State, joining together… to share in the joy…commitment and loyalty we have.” A central theme throughout the night was growth, both in numbers and in impact. This year alone, the program awarded $137,000 in scholarships to 51 students, marking a record high in scholarship awards. What began decades ago with only two named scholarships has now expanded to nearly fifty, with additional endowments continuing to be established. Speakers repeatedly returned to the idea that this success is not accidental, but rather the result of sustained community investment. As Fresno State Provost Dr. Xuanning Fu noted, the strength of the Armenian Studies Program lies in a single word: “community.” He highlighted how Armenian-Americans in the Central Valley have transformed historical hardship into opportunity, building institutions that not only preserve culture but also contribute broadly to education and public life. President Jiménez-Sandoval’s remarks further deepened this reflection. Speaking personally about his connection to the Armenian community, he de-scribed two defining lessons he has learned: the ability to “convert the pain of the past into energy that honors the strength and culture of your family and your community,” and the capacity to come together, set aside differences, and “build monuments like no one else.” He emphasized that the Armenian Studies Program itself is one of those monuments, one that preserves memory while educating future generations. In his words, the Program serves to “preserve your family and your historical memory,” while also extending that knowledge beyond the Armenian community through its courses, publications, and public programming. The most personal and impactful portion of the evening came from student speakers, who reflected on their experiences within the program. Their remarks highlighted how Armenian Studies is not only an academic pursuit, but also a space for identity formation and connection. In 2025-2026, seven students graduating with a Minor in Armenian Studies were recognized: Natalie Agazarian, Jonathan Chardukian, Hovsep Manoukian, Aaron Rettig, Grigor Terpogosyan, and Rachel Yepremian-Owens. Former ASO President Harutyun Amirkhanyan, who graduated in December 2025, was also recognized. One student described how her coursework helped her understand her own background more deeply, explaining that “every single class I took truly helped shape my personal understanding… of what it means to be Armenian.” Another emphasized how learn-ing the Armenian language and visiting Armenia transformed what once felt like distant history into something immediate and personal. Across these reflections, a common theme emerged: Armenian Studies at Fresno State provides students with both knowledge and belonging. It allows them to engage with their heritage in a structured, meaningful way, while also connecting them to a broader community that extends beyond the classroom. The Banquet concluded with the recognition of scholarship recipients and graduating Minors, showcasing the program’s on-going commitment to student success. As President Jiménez-Sandoval expressed, each schol-arship serves as “a light that you receive… and one that comes with great responsibility.” The Thirty-Eighth Annual Banquet ultimately reflected what has made the Armenian Studies Program at Fresno State unique for decades: a combination of academic excellence, community support, and a shared commitment to preserving and advancing Armenian identity. As the program approaches its fiftieth anniversary, that foundation continues to grow stronger, carried forward by both past and present generations.
Armenian Studies Program 38th Annual Banquet Celebrates Community, Memory, and Growth
More in Hye Sharzhoom
"Mayrig" movie
Henri Verneuil’s Movie “Mayrig” Screened at Fresno State
Sassoon Grigorian
Sassoon Grigorian Presents New Book on What Can and Should be Done in Armenia in 2035
Left to to right: Dr. Anna Aleksanyan, Prof. Barlow Der Mugrdechian, Dr. David Zakarian, and Sergei Babayan.
Pianist Sergei Babayan Performs in Keyboard Concert Series
Left to right: Dr. Hagop Ohanessian, Dr. David Zakarian, Dr. Anna Aleksanyan, Jordan Mazmanian, Katherine Arslanian, and Anoush Ohanessian.
Dr. Anna Aleksanyan Gives Presentation on Karen Jeppe, Danish “Mother of the Armenians”
Left to right: Prof. Barlow Der Mugrdechian, Dr. David Zakarian, Dr. Taner Akçam, Katherine Arslanian, Dr. Anna Aleksanyan, Carla Garapedian, Jordan Mazmanian, Emily Sahakian, and Matthew Krikorian.
“What’s Next?” Documentary on Armenian Genocide Restitution Screened at Fresno State on April 10
Left to right: Prof. Barlow Der Mugrdechian, Dr. Anna Aleksanyan, Dr. David Zakarian, and Dr. Hagop Ohanessian.
Dr. Zakarian Speaks on “Erasure of Sacred Spaces and Books”
More in Uncategorized
Wide Receiver Josiah Freeman stands along the field during a game against the University of Wyoming on Nov. 25 2025. Freeman was named to Phil Steele's preseason All-Pac-12 second team.
Fresno State lands 18 Phil Steele preseason All-Pac-12 honors ahead of historic debut
Scottish First Minister and SNP leader John Swinney poses with candidates after giving a speech at the launch of the party's campaign ahead of the 2026 Scottish Parliament election due to be held on May 7, in Glasgow, Scotland, Britain, March 26, 2026. REUTERS/Lesley Martin
Election preview: offices, measures and voting information for June 2
Fresno City Council candidate Navkaran Singh Gurm posing in front of Fresno mural.
Two Sikh candidates lead in Fresno City Council fundraising
The Seal of the Governor of the State of California is displayed on a podium prepared for Governor Gavin Newsom ahead of his expected press conference in San Diego, California, U.S., February 2, 2026. REUTERS/Mike Blake
Understanding California’s cannabis laws as 4/20 approaches
FresYes Fest returns to Downtown Fresno this Saturday
FresYes Fest returns to Downtown Fresno this Saturday
A bronze memorial honoring labor rights activist César Chávez stands in Fresno State’s Peace Garden on April 8, 2013.
Opinion: Fresno State must stop glorifying flawed figures
Donate to The Collegian
$595
$1500
Contributed
Our Goal