2006_03 Hye Sharzhoom Newspaper March 2006

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SHARZHOOM
Armenian Action
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27th
Year
March 2006
Vol. 27, No. 3 (93)
Ethnic Supplement to The Collegian
PBS to Air New Documentary on
"Armenian Genocide" April 17
Baklow Der Mugrdechian
Advisor
The Armenian Genocide is the
story of the first genocide of the
20th century-when over a million
and a half Armenians died at the
hands ofthe Ottoman Turks during
World War I.
This one-hour documentary, The
Armenian Genocide, was written,
directed, and produced by Emmy-
Award winning producer Andrew
Goldberg of Two Cats Productions,
in association with Oregon Public
Broadcasting.
The film features interviews with
the leading experts in the field such
"The Armenian Genocide"
Monday, April 17
10:00-11:00PM
KVPT Channel 18
(Cable-Channel 8)
as Pulitzer-prize winning author,
Samantha Power, and New York
times best-selling author Peter
Balakian, and features never-before-seen historical footage of the
events and key players of the Armenian Genocide.
The documentary was filmed in
the Un ited States ,France, Germany,
Belgium, Turkey, and Syria and
features discussions with Kurdish
and Turkish citizens in modern-
day Turkey, who speak openly
about the stories told to them by
their parents and grandparents.
The Public Broadcasting Service (PBS) has attracted nationwide protests regarding the proposed screening of a 25 minute
panel-discussion to follow the
screening ofthe documentary (note:
the airing ofthe documentary in the
San Joaquin Valley will not include airing of the controversial
panel discussion). Four panelists
SEE PBS PAGE 6
Armenian Alumni Chapter
Established at Fresno State
Left to right: Zhanna Bagdasarov, Tatevik Ekezian, Barlow
Der Mugrdechian, Carina Karakashian, Arakel Arisian, Talin
Arisian, Christina Karakashian, Rahmi Gabriel, and Eric
Mouradian at the Smittcamp Alumni House.
Staff Report
An Armenian Alumni Chapter
has just been initiated at Fresno
State, as part of the Fresno State
Alumni Association (FSAA). The
FSAA is the official alumni association for the University and has
over 7,000 active members.
The purpose of the Armenian
Alumni Chapter will be to maintain and strengthen the connection
between Armenian alumni,theUniversity, and the Armenian Studies
Program. The primary goals ofthe
chapter will be the following:
To provide valuable network
ing opportunities for graduates and
current students.
To give back to the University
andthe Armenian Studies Program
through student scholarships and
other fundraising opportunities.
To enhance communication
among students,alumni, faculty and
friends of the Armenian Studies
program.
All graduates, friends, and faculty of those interested in Armenian educational and cultural activities are eligible for membership . To be an active member ofthe
see Armenian Alumni page 8
Armenian Studies Holds 18th Annual Banquet
Featuring Premiere of "Khachaturian: The Film"
Zhanna Bagdasarov
Editor
The Eighteenth Annual Armenian Studies Program Banquet welcomed distinguished guests, faculty, students, and generous benefactors to the Residence Dining
Facility on an unusually warm Sunday afternoon. On this day, February 12, numerous scholarship recipients were honored for their academic accomplishments and continued involvement with the Armenian Studies Program.
As guests made their way into
the banquet hall, they were given
the opportunity to not only take
pleasure in the sight of incredible
art works by Fresno's artist Varaz
Samuelian, but they were also able
to purchase selected works by participating in the silent auction.
Various original paintings, lithographs, and books by Mr.
Samuelian were displayed for the
ASP Honors
Program-2006
Staff Report
The Armenian Studies Program
announces that applications arenow
being accepted for the Fall 2006
Armenian Studies Honors Program
at Fresno State.
The Honors Program is designed
to encourage outstanding students
to participate in a challenging
course of study. Candidates will
develop their intellectual and creative talents and have the chance to
interact directly with faculty. The
Honors Program provides the opportunity for highly qualified, advanced Armenian Studies Program
students to sharpen their analytical
abilities, refine their writing skills,
and expand their knowledge of Armenian studies. The honors culminating experience itself is an opportunity for students to apply the
knowledge and skills they have acquired as Armenian Studies Minors.
Minimum criteria for application to the program:
• Entry as Fresno State student
with Junior standing or transfer student with Junior standing (minimum of 60 units)
• Continuing Fresno State students must have completed at least
four Armenian Studies courses.
see Honors page 7
Left to right: Barlow Der Mugrdechian, ASP Administrative
Assistant Fran Ziegler and Dr. Dickran Kouymjian.
rector ofthe Armenian Studies Pro-
enjoyment of the attendees and in
turn contributed to the rather relaxing atmosphere.
Prior to the beginning of the
evening's program, the guests were
invited to partake in appetizers,
enjoy a glass of wine, and get to
know those seated at each table.
Reverend Vahan Gosdanian, pastor of the Holy Trinity Armenian
Apostolic Church, gave the invocation before the delicious meal. It
wasn't long before everyone began
enjoying their dinner and socializing with those seated at their tables.
Dr. Dickran Kouymjian,the Di
gram, officially began the event by
delivering the opening remarks. His
personal acquaintance with Dr.
Vida S ami ian, Dean ofthe College
of Arts and Humanities, made for
an interesting introductory statement. Following this, Dr. Samiian
took the podium and spoke extensively about the importance of the
Armenian Studies Program and its
contribution to the College of Arts
and Humanities.
"The College of Arts and Hu-
see ASP Banquet page 7
Erysian Appointed Interim Director
of International Programs
Staff Report
Bill Erysian has been named
Interim Director of International
Programs at Fresno State University. A Fresno State graduate ofthe
class of 1980, Erysian was the first
co-editor of Hye Sharzhoom in
1978, a member of the Armenian
Students Organization, and took
several courses in the Armenian
Studies Program.
Erysian has served as Coordinator of Grants and International
Projects for the Division of Continuing and Global Education at
Fresno State since 2003. He will
continue in this assignment as he
begins his new role in International
Programs.
Erysian is also the founder and
current Director of Resource Development for the California State
University Consortium for International Development and continues to serve as Executive Director
for the Armenian Agribusiness
Education Fund, also located on
the Fresno State Campus. Erysian,
a former study abroad participant
Photo: Barlow Der Mugrdechian
Bill Erysian
with CSU International Programs
in 1979, holds an undergraduate
degree in journalism from California State University, Fresno and a
post-graduate degree in International & Comparative Politics from
the London School of Economics
and Political Science. He is a frequent consultant to the US Agency
for International Development, the
USD A Foreign Agricultural Service and other international nongovernmental organizations in the
areas of agricultural marketing and
economic development in the Central Caucasus.