October 8, 2004

AUA Graduation: a New Beginning for a New Generation

A New Beginning for a New Generation was the fitting theme as the American University of Armenia (AUA) celebrated its 11th graduation and commencement ceremonies during the first week of October. One hundred and thirty three motivated and ambitious men and women walked down the aisle to receive their Master's Degrees. They reminisced about the challenges they faced as graduate students and pondered their future accomplishments. These new graduates join AUA's 1,136 alumni who now occupy important leadership positions, such as the Deputy Minister of Privatization, Deputy Minister of Health, Directors, Program Officers, Chief Business Officers and Country Directors in private and international organizations. That same week, AUA honored founding members, the late Dr. Stepan Karamardian and Dr. Mihran Agbabian, with ribbon cutting ceremonies for the Stepan Karamardian Conference Hall in the AUA Business and Conference Center and the newly furnished Mihran and Elizabeth Agbabian Hall in the AUA Baghramian building.

Festivities began on Friday, October 1st with the traditional annual alumni dinner, whereby AUA alumni and faculty congratulated the Class of 2004. With a sense of great camaraderie and University pride, the AUA Alumni Association bestowed hoods and diplomas naming AUA President Haroutune Armenian, Mr. Edward Avedisian, and Dr. Krikor Soghikian "Honorary Alumni." The following day, AUA held its Baccalaureate Service for the AUA graduates, families, faculty, and staff to reflect upon their accomplishments in a spiritual setting. Mr. Edvard Avedisian, Trustee of the AUAC Board, addressed those present. This year, the St. Gayane Church Choir of Echmiadzin and the "Speghani" Children's Choir performed several inspiring sharakans and other spiritual music.

On Sunday, October 3, AUA held its annual Commencement exercises. Parents and spouses of the graduates, many distinguished guests from the government, foreign embassies, local and international organizations and more then 350 guests from the AGBU, who were in Armenia to attend the AGBU General Assembly, were present. After Bishop Navasard Kjoyan's invocation, AUA President Haroutune Armenian and Dr. Marianne Celce-Murcia, Dean of AUA's Department of English Programs, welcomed the graduating class, followed by greetings from Mr. Sam Simonian, AUAC Trustee and EPYGI Technologies Chairman, and Mr. Ruben Vardanian, President and CEO of Troika Dialog.

In his address, President Haroutune Armenian noted the generosity of many AUA supporters and the number of new named scholarships and contributions to AUA's student loan program. He announced two new awards established by Mr. Arthur Baghdasaryan, Speaker of Armenia's National Assembly. The first of these awards, established for several other universities as well, carries a cash prize of $250 from the Speaker of the National Assembly, and is granted to two graduating students in recognition of their academic excellence and potential to support Armenia's development. The second award granted two outstanding first-year students with stipends of 25,000 Armenian Drams per month during their second year of study. The graduates concluded the exercises by throwing their caps in the air. Warm words of congratulations were exchanged during an open reception.

During graduation week, AUA dedicated the Stepan Karamardian Conference Hall and the Mihran and Elizabeth Agbabian Hall. The late Dr. Stepan Karamardian, along with Dr. Mihran Agbabian and Dr. Armen Der Kiureghian are AUA's founding members. The events provided opportunity for the deans, staff, faculty and students to remember the obstacles which were overcome to establish AUA, and the determined vision of AUA's founders.

At the Stepan Karamardian Conference Hall dedication, AUA President and Dean of the College of Health Sciences, Dr. Haroutune Armenian, welcomed guests and noted, "Being a true academic, Stepan Karamardian was the ultimate entrepreneur of knowledge - a person who could plan, manage and deliver knowledge." President Emeritus, Dr. Mihran Agbabian, said, "Nothing comes such a long way, unless it has a strong foundation. We gave our best to ensure that together with Stepan." Mrs. Seta Karamardian expressed her gratefulness to the faculty, staff and students, as well as to the administration of AUA for naming a room after her husband. "For decades it was a dream of ours to create the American University of Armenia. He was blessed to see it become a reality," she said. On this occasion, Mrs. Karamardian announced that the Karamardian family would establish an annual scholarship in Dr. Stepan Karamardian's name to assist a deserving student in AUA's School of Business and Administration.

At the Mihran and Elizabeth Agbabian Hall dedication, the AUA community expressed their appreciation for Dr. and Mrs. Mihran Agbabian's many contributions. The remodeled hall, funded by Dr. and Mrs. Mihran Agbabian, has changed the open entry hall of the AUA into a place of welcome and will enable students and faculty, visitors to the library and guests, the opportunity to meet in an informal way, conduct group discussions, rest during breaks and spend social time together. Dr. Yuri Sargisyan, former President of the Yerevan State Engineering University, and member of the AUA Fund, noted, "Mihran and Elizabeth Agbabian helped create AUA when Armenia was facing a period of re-establishment in the early 1990s. Today we are witness that they both will do their best to maintain and develop what they created a decade ago." Babken Ararktsyan, former Speaker of Armenia's National Assembly, and AUA Founding Board Member, underscored the importance of launching AUA when Armenia was at the beginning of developing the principles of an independent state.

AUA President Haroutune Armenian and President Emeritus Mihran Agbabian lead ceremonial procession.	Over 1,000 guests attend AUA Graduation.	Congratulations are exchanged in the newly dedicated Mihran & Elizabeth Agbabian Hall.
Speghani Children’s Choir performs during Baccalaureate Services.	President Haroutune Armenian, Mr. Edward Avedisian, and Dr. Krikor Soghikian named Honorary AUA Alumni. Mrs. Caline Soghikian accepts on Dr. Soghikian’s behalf.	Dr. and Mrs. Mihran and Elizabeth Agbabian in ribbon cutting ceremony of the hall named after them.
Mrs. Elizabeth Agbabian greets those present.	AUA Founding Members Dr. Armen Der Kiureghian and Dr. Mihran Agbabian with his wife, Elizabeth, Mrs. Seta Karamardian, President Haroutune Armenian with his wife, Sona, dedicate AUA Founding Member Stepan Karamardian Conference Hall.	Dr. Stepan Karamardian plaque reads, “This room is dedicated to the memory of Stepan Karamardian, Ph.d., 1933-1994, Co-Founder of the American University of Armenia, An educator, a visionary and a proud Armenian, The creation of the American University of Armenia was the culmination of a lifetime devoted to creating opportunities for others through education. Dedicated 2004.”