Armenian Studies Program at Fresno State to Hold 19th Annual Banquet

       The Armenian Studies Program of California State University, Fresno, will hold its 19th Annual Banquet on Saturday, March 24, 2007 at the Fort Washington Golf & Country Club, 10272 N. Millbrook, in Fresno.

       The keynote speaker and special guest for the Banquet is The Honorable Armen Liloyan, Consul General of the Republic of Armenia, who will be paying his first official visit to Fresno. The Consul General was born in Yerevan, Armenia and received a Bachelor’s degree from the Department of Oriental Studies at Yerevan State University. In 2001-2002 he received his M.A. in Diplomacy and International Relations, from the University of Westminster, in London. He has diplomatic experience as a desk officer for Central Europe and later the Balkans in the Foreign Ministry of the Republic of Armenia. In November 2006 he was appointed as Consul General of the Republic of Armenia in Los Angeles.

       During the Banquet, student recipients of Armenian Studies scholarships and grants will be recognized.

       The Armenian Alumni and Friends Chapter at Fresno State is organizing a silent auction at the Banquet.

       During the past several decades the Program has gained national and international recognition, with an undergraduate program offering as many as ten courses in Armenian Studies. The Program houses two endowed positions, the Haig & Isabel Berberian Chair of Armenian Studies, held by Prof. Kouymjian, and the Henry Khanzadian Kazan Visiting Professor of Armenian Studies. Barlow Der Mugrdechian and Dickran Kouymjian constitute the core faculty of the Program along with the annual Kazan Visiting Professor.

       The reception and silent auction begin at 6:00PM followed by the Banquet at 7:00PM.

       Tickets are available at $50 per person, with a special price of $20 for Fresno State students.

       For more information about the Banquet, please contact the Armenian Studies Program at 559-278-2669.