October 15, 2004

AUA Welcomes First Recipients of the Turpanjian Family Foundation Scholarship Program

Yerevan, Armenia - The American University of Armenia (AUA) honored benefactors Mr. and Mrs. Jirair and Patricia Turpanjian of Palos Verdes, CA with a reception on October 12, 2004 and welcomed the 141 undergraduate and graduate students who will receive a free university education through the support of Turpanjian Family Foundation Scholarship Program. According to Mr. Jirair Turpanjian, "Our family has always been a strong supporter of education, and we have a special interest in Armenia's development as a prosperous democratic country."

The Turpanjian Family Foundation pledged $1,000,000 over 10 years earlier this year to implement an innovative Big Brother-Big Sister mentorship program in tandem with an educational scholarship program. The program provides financial support in the form of tuition and academic and career support through a peer-based mentoring program to deserving undergraduate students at any accredited university in Armenia and graduate students at AUA. Priority is given to orphans, those affected by the 1988 earthquake, the socially disadvantaged, and others in need. The Turpanjian Family Foundation Scholarship Program is administered by the AUA and often complements support already provided by the students' university.

"A unique feature of this innovative program is the vision to empower the awardees to make significant long-term contributions to Armenia's political, social and economic development. We are pleased to expand our cooperation with the Tupanjian Family Foundation in realizing a common hope for Armenia and the region," said AUA President Haroutune Armenian.

AUA Interim Vice President Michael Thompson, who chaired the selection committee consisting of AUA faculty, staff, and alumni, noted that, "These awards will help ensure academically deserving students who have already overcome so many obstacles have the chance to succeed, not only for themselves, but for their communities, and for Armenia. We are especially pleased in many cases to complete funding providing by the students' universities, turning partial reductions into full scholarships." The awardees represent a variety of fields ranging from Metallurgy and Mining, Mathematics, Engineering and Information Sciences to Health and Civil Society related disciplines, Speech Therapy and Sign Language Teaching, Forestry, Law, Public Health, and Political Science.

The Turpanjian Family Foundation was established in 2000 with a commitment to help institutions in their efforts to advance the development of Armenia as a democratic country with a robust economy.