2002_03 Hye Sharzhoom Newspaper March 2002

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SHARZHOOM
Armenian Action
23
rd
Year
March 2002
Vol. 23, No. 3 (77)
Supplement to The Collegian
Professor
Kouymjian's
Sabbatical
Leave Activities
STAFF REPORT-
University lectures, international conferences, art exhibits and
book writing have dominated the
first months of the sabbatical leave
of Dr. Dickran Kouymjian, Haig &
Isabel Berberian Endowed Professor of Armenian Studies and Director of the Armenian Studies Program.
In April and May Prof.
Kouymjian was invited on two
different occasions to Belgium. In
April he served on the jury of
Belgium's prestigious Francqui
Fund award, given annually to the
country's  single  outstanding
see KOUYMJIAN   page7
Tom Bozigian BringsArmenian Dance to Students
Armenian dance instructor, Tom Bozigian (center), with students at the March 1-2 Armenian dance class.
Nyrie Karkazian
staff writer
Imagine Armenian dancing for
15 hours in two days. Fifty-six
students at CSU, Fresno learned
nine new dances during a weekend
class offered by Tom Bozigian, of
Los Angeles.   The students were
part of the very first Armenian
Dance Class offered at a university, as a regular course for 1 unit of
college credit, through the Armenian Studies Program.
Bozigian, a world-renowned
Armenian Dance instructor, conducted a fast paced weekend class
that students will cherish for many
years. Although students were sore
from head to toe the next day, the
dances they learned are classics.
The students in the class learned
such dances as Tamzara, Kocharee
(Halle), Ambee Dagits, JoJon,
Beejo, and Khum Khuma.
The class was comprised of
students from mixed dancing back
grounds, ranging from those who
have been dancing since they were
two, to those with two left feet!
Armenian and non-Armenian students alike worked on perfecting
the intricate steps of the dances.
Bozigian taught dances which
ranged in degree of difficulty.
Along with learning the jumping,
kicking, skipping and clapping parts
of the dances, the students also
were responsible for knowing
where the dances originated from
in historic Armenia.
Bozigian's orchestra provided
the class with the classic Armenian
melodies. The CD Bozigian used,
as well as a videotape of the class,
was for sale during the class. Playing the CD and watching the video
will help students carry on these
dance traditions into future generations. Plus, these 56 students will
be up to speed at Armenian weddings, dances and best of all, picnics!
As part of the cultural presentation, Bozigian showed a video of
his dance research in Armenia. He
displayed a wide array of dances
from various regions of Armenia-
Van, Erzerum, and Gumri.
Bozigian has traveled throughout the world teaching Armenian
see DANCE page7
A
A
California State University, Fresno
Armenian Studies Program
cordially invites you to its
16th Annual Banquet
with special guest
Mr. Vartkes Yeghiayan
Attorney at Law
Speaking on
"Armenian Insurance Claims
from the Genocide Era"
and
recognizing recipients of
Armenian Studies Program scholarships
Sunday, April 14,2002
Reception-12:30 PM • Banquet-1:30 PM
Residence Dining Facility • California State University, Fresno
$40 per person • $400 table of ten • $15 Fresno State students
Please respond by April 5, 2002
Australian-ArmenianMakesFSUT earn j   Thisissue.
AraM ekhitarian
staff writer
An interview with
Fresno State Armenian
basketball player,
Rouben Vesmadian.
When Jerry
Tarkanian returned to
Fresno State as head
basketball coach in
1995, the large Armenian Community of
Fresno fell in love with
basketball. Since
Tarkanian's arrival,
the Fresno State program has become recognized as one of the
best in the nation and
Armenians stand
proud whenever the
Coach's name is mentioned. For the past
several years,
Tarkanian always
talked about wanting to add an Armenian player to his ball club. In the
2001-2002 season it finally happened. Rouben Vesmadian joined the
team in the Fall of 2001.
Vesmadian, 19, an Armenian from Sydney, Australia is a freshman
seeINTERVIEW   page7
...    ;.'".■ ..■■■- , ■   . ■■ .■...-
Coach Tarkanian (L) with Rouben Vesmadian.