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              A. S. Mehagians Honored
At Haigazian Testimonial
November 24,1977 THE CALIFORNIA COURIER Page 5
LOS ANGELES - "In a
20th Century filled with turmoil
and conflict, Haigazian College
stands as one of the best
virtuous symbols of human
fellowship, understanding, love
and respect from one people to
another. This has been possible
because a generous and noble
couple, Mr. and Mrs. A.
Stephen Mehagian, had the
foresight and a genuine love
for the Armenian people.''
Speaking at the recent
testimonial dinner for the
Mehagians, attended by more
than 200 people at the elegant
Los Angeles Athletic Club,
was Bishop Sumbat Lapajian,
the first graduate of Haigazian
College. Bishop Lapajian
headed a delegation of some 40
alumni at the event and was
one of several dignitaries
offering praise of the Mehagians' efforts in establishing
the college.
"Haigazian College has a
unique standing in the Middle
East because of the special
quality it has in the field of
education, the ministry and in
training teachers for the
Diaspora and public sector. It's
ecumenical character, wherein
various denominations work
side by side, communicating
and fellowshipping is unique.
Yet, the key word for Hagiazian
College is opportunity for those
who otherwise would not have
h«H the oDDortunity. I am one
of those people," Bishop Lapajian said.
Also offering testimonals
on behalf of the Mehagians,
were Norair Sarian, who read
a letter of tribute from the
Armenian Missionary Association's Board of Directors
which accented the couple's
"opening the doors of opportunity to fellow Armenians
and non-Armenians in the
Middle East," and Henry
Gertmenian, a long-time friend
of the Mehagians who said
"they made their vision and
dreams come true; they cast
their vision on the rest of us
and enriched all those whose
lives they've touched.''
Rev. Edward Tovmassian,
assistant pastor of the United
Armenian Congregational
Church of Hollywood, praised
the couple for having an idea,
"the most powerful thing in
the world, and having the
conviction to see it through."
Sam Mardian, former mayor
of Phoenix, member of the
board of trustees of Haigazian
College and a prominent
builder, called the Mehagians'
two of the most beloved people
in Arizona, adding that "in
their lifetimes Steve and Mary
Mehagian have created countless stepping stones for
people."
In describing the some 700
graduates of Haigazian College
as having made prominent
marks in virtually all aspects of
society — from education to
engineering and social service
— master of ceremonies Leon
Peters of Fresno, himself a
trustee, called upon several
of the alumni in attendance to
comment.
Dr. Kegham Tashjian,
president of the alumni association and administrative
assistant to Sophia Selvan
School for the handicapped in
Los Angeles, described the
veritable hopelessness he felt
while living in Jordan and
having no means to attend
college.
"I know now that the
Mehagians' dream was for me,
ending my nightmares of deep
disappointment. I am here
because of Haigazian College
and Mr. and Mrs. Mehagian,"
Dr. Tashjian said. He followed
his comments by presenting a
plaque to the  Mehagians
Rendel L. Levonian, M.D.,
president of the board of
trustees, then made a special
presentation of an engraved
plaque entitled, "A Dream
Fulfilled," highlighting the
opportunity and wisdom
provided by the Mehagians.
Taking the microphone to
cap the event, with his family
in attendance, Mr. Mehagian
said: "In the autumn of my
life it is wonderful to be here. I
do appreciate this effort; my
heartfelt thanks. It is a great
satisfaction that despite all
the   troubles   in   Beirut,   the
HONORED COUPLE — Mr. and Mrs. A. Stephen Mehagian pause
during recent testimonial dinner in their honor to display special
shadow box plaque entitled, "A Dream Fulfulled," which was
presented to them by the college's board of trustees and the Armenian Missionary Association of America. More than 200 people
attended the event for the couple who conceived and founded
Haigazian College in Beirut.
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For your travel needs
224-5600
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Testimonial Dinner for Mr. and Mrs. Mehagian in LA
H. A. DeMirjiai
Corresponding Secretary
NORTHRIDGE- "In a 20th
Century filled with turmoil and
conflict, Haigazian College stands
as   one   of  the   best   virtuous
symbols  of human fellowship,
understanding, love and respect
from one people to another. This
has been possible because a generous  and   noble couple, Mr.
and Mrs. A. Stephen Mehagian,
had the foresight and a genuine
love for the Armenian people."
Speaking at the recent testimonial dinner for the Mehagians,
attended by over 200 people at
the elegant Los Angeles Athletic
Club, was Bishop Sumbat Lapajian, the first graduate of Haigazian  College.     Bishop  Lapajian
headed a delegation of some 40
alumni at the event and was one
of   several   dignitaries   offering
praise of the Mehagians' efforts
in establishing the college.
"Haigazian College has aunique
standing in the Middle East because of the special quality it
has in the field of education,
the ministry and in training
teachers for the Diaspora and
public sector. It's ecumenical
character, whrein various denominations work side by side,
communicating and fellowshipping is unique. Yet, the key
word for Haigazian College is
opportunity for those who otherwise would not have had the
opportunity. I am one of those
people," Bishop Lapajian said.
Also offering testimonials on
.behalf of the Mehagians, were -
Norair Sarian, who read a letter
of tribute from the Armenian Missionary Association's Board of
Directors which accented the
couple's "opening the doors of
opportunity to fellow Armenians
and non-Armeniansinthe Middle-
East," and Henry Gertmenian, a
long-time friend of the Mehagians
who said "they made their vision and dreams come true; they
cast their vision on the rest of
us and enriched all those whose
lives they've touched."
Rev. Edward Tovmassian, assistant pastor of the United Armenian Congregational Church
of Los Angeles, praised the
couple for having an idea, "the
most powerful thing in the
world, and having the conviction to see it through."
Sam Mardian, former mayor
of Phoenix, member of the
board of turstees of Haigazian
College and a prominent buil -
der, called the Mehagians two of
the most beloved people in Arizona, adding that "in their lifetimes Steve and Mary Mehagian
have created countless stepping
stones for people."
In describing the some 700
graduates of Haigazian College
as having made prominent marks
in virtually as all aspects of
society - from education to engineering and social service - Mas-
iristian Leadership
SPECIAL TRIBUTE - With his wife, Mary, at his side, Mr. A. Stephen Mehagian (center), who conceived the idea of Haigazian College inBeirut, accepts special plaque from Rendel I. Levonian, M.D. ,
chairman of the college's board of trustees, on behalf of the trustees
and the Armenian Missionary Association of America. Action took
place during recent testimonial dinner for the Mehagians at the Los
Angeles Athletic Club. Their flock, Mr. and Mrs. A. Stephen Mehagian (seated front row) are surrounded by large group of alumni of
Haigazian College, including Bishop Sumbat Lapajian (center) during
recent testimonial dinner held in their honor at the Los Angeles
Athletic Club.
ees, then made a special presentation of an engraved plaque entitled "A Dream Fulfilled," highlighting the opportunity and
wisdom provided by the Mehag-
ter of Ceremonies Leon Pet
a   trustee,
:ieaHed upon several of the alun>
ni in attendance to comment.
Dr. KeghamTa1h3iali7^pTesi-
dent of the alumni association
and administrative assistant to
Sophia Selvan School for the
handicapped in Los Angeles, described the veritable hopelessness
he felt while living in Jordan
and having no means to attend
college.
"I know now that the Mehagians' dream was for me, ending my nightmares of deep disappointment. I am here because
of Haigazian College and Mr.
and Mrs. Mehagian," Dr. Tashjian said. He followed his comments by presenting a plaque to
the Mehagians on behalf of all
the alumni.
Rendel L. Levonian, M.D.,
president of the board of trus-
lans.
Taking the microphoneto cap:
the event, with his family in
attendance, Mr. Mehagian said:
"In the autumn of my life it is
wonderful to be here. I do appreciate this effort; my heartfelt
thanks. It is a great satisfaction
that despite all the troubles in
Beirut, the college survives."
Mrs. Mehagian concluded by
explaining their vision and how
some 23 years ago while on a
visit to New York "they felt the
time was here to do something
for their fellow Armenians. It
warmed our hearts recently when
we went to Beirut and saw the
college thriving again."
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Tel. 997-8776
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