Consul General Liloyan Keynote Speaker at ASP 19th Annual Banquet

Staff Report

Consul General Armen Liloyan speaking at the ASP Banquet.

The Armenian Studies Program at California State University, Fresno held its 19th Annual Banquet on Saturday, March 24. The guest speaker for the evening was the Honorable Armen Liloyan, Consul General of the Republic of Armenia, in Los Angeles.

Prof. Barlow Der Mugrdechian of the Armenian Studies Program opened the evening by inviting the Rev. Fr. Yeghia Hairabedian, Pastor of the St. Gregory Armenian Apostolic Church, Fowler, to give the invocation.

Guests enjoyed a wonderful mezza, thanks to Greg Kohayan, at the Fort Washington Golf and Country Club in Fresno. This was the first time the Banquet had been held at Ft. Washington and the guests were later treated to a delicious dinner.

L. to R.: Consul General Liloyan, Barlow Der Mugrdechian, and Fresno State President Dr. John Welty.

Der Mugrdechian began the formal part of the program by reviewing some of the major achievements of the Armenian Studies Program during the 2006-2007 academic year. Among those achievements was the establishment of the Armenian Studies Honors Program, where outstanding students had the opportunity to conduct special research on a topic related to Armenian Studies. The Armenian Studies Program Lecture Series had a full schedule of interesting guests, which attracted many students and community members. The Lecture Series has served to link the Program and the University with the community.

L. to R.: Kathleen Jenanyan, Dianne Gazarian, Dr. Arnold Gazarian, Consul General Liloyan, and Arlene Srabian.

Dr. John Welty, President of Fresno State, welcomed guests and said, "The Armenian Studies Program is making a major contribution to the intellectual life of our university. I have said many times that the difference between a good university and a great university is public support. The Armenian Studies Program is a great Program because of the support that all of you here tonight provide. You should be very proud of what you have developed at this university. There is not another university in the country that can boast of the fact that they have an Armenian Studies Program that has the depth and commitment of the Program at this university. And it makes a major difference in the intellectual life of our campus and community... Thank you to all of you, who over the years have supported the Armenian Studies Program. Students benefit directly from your contributions... I only wish that other academic programs on this campus had the support that this one does, so that students in other programs could have the opportunity to study abroad... As we get closer to the university's centennial nears in 2011, I can say that the Armenian Studies Program will be recognized as one of the premiere Programs on this campus.... Thanks again to all of you."

Ariana Kasparian and Brad Kalebjian

One of the main purposes of the Annual Banquet of the Armenian Studies Program is to present an opportunity for faculty, staff, administrators, students, and the greater community to come together and interact. The Annual Banquet is one of the premiere events hosted by the Program and this year's event was no exception.

Michael Krikorian, a senior at University High School, played two piano pieces, "Sunerailles," by Franz Liszt, and "Toccata," by Aram Khatchatourian. His outstanding interpretation of the works thrilled the audience. Michael has also taken Armenian Studies courses at Fresno State concurrently with courses taken at University High School.

Prof. Der Mugrdechian then introduced the keynote speaker for the evening, Consul General Liloyan, who addressed guests with a concise overview of the latest events in Armenia and the goals of the Consulate.

"I would like to thank Barlow Der Mugrdechian and the Armenian Studies Program for inviting me to this wonderful event. It is my pleasure to acknowledge that this is my first visit outside of the Los Angeles area-it is no coincidence that my first visit was to Fresno, as Fresno epitomizes the history and spirit of the Armenian presence in the United States," stated the Consul General.

Consul General Liloyan discussed what is happening in Armenia, and some of the challenges facing the country.

"Much has changed in Armenia over the 15 years. Major changes have taken place, we have built a stronger economy and civil society. These are the cornerstones of government policy....Armenia is working toward a civil society.

The government still must face some important issues such as corruption and poverty. According to the Consul General, great strides have been made in the judiciary, which is now striving to provide the legal framework for economic growth.

Windy Dunbar (left) and Nona Atoyan.

The Consul General highlighted the important role the Diaspora is playing in investing in Armenia and being a partner in Armenia's economic development. Armenia is also making progress in working with Europe.

"Armenia is ready to promote good ties with all of its neighbors, including Turkey, without preconditions. Armenia calls upon Turkey to open its borders, to abandon the policy of denial of the Genocide, and to engage in dialogue. Turkey has rejected this. ...We hope that this will change," said the Consul General.

Armenia-U.S. relations are important. The U.S. has been involved in projects in Armenia worth over 1 billion dollars over the last fifteen years, and over the next five years 240 million dollars in projects for Armenia will be made available through the Millennium Challenge grant.

The Consul General continued, "The Diaspora in particular, is critical to the strengthening of Armenia. You have done so much to support Armenia. We have to continue our work together. We have the privilege to work to materialize our national goals. The time has come for Armenia to pay back the Diaspora and so the Parliament has recently adopted the Law on Dual Citizenship. Any Armenian, irrespective of place of residence, should have the opportunity to be a part of Armenia. They will have the right to vote and to serve in the military. They may also be appointed to government positions. The details on how to implement the law still needs to be worked on."

Eric Mouradian (left) and Arman Kalamkarian.

The Consul General stressed that his office will work hard to work together with the Diaspora. It is the Armenian Government's duty to keep the young people of the Diaspora tied to Armenia, providing opportunities for educational, cultural, and business connections. The Consul General concluded by saying that Armenia can and will be the driving force in maintaining the Armenia identity in the Diaspora. The Fresno Armenian community with its rich history will also be part of this.

After the Consul General's remarks, Der Mugrdechian introduced each of the students who are receiving Armenian Studies scholarships for the 2006-2007 academic year.

Earlier in the evening, the Armenian Alumni & Friends Chapter at Fresno State organized a silent auction for the enjoyment of the guests. Thanks to the Mirage Armenian Ensemble (Khatchig Jingirian, Edward Karagozian, and Jim Karagozian), attendees enjoyed traditional Armenian music and dancing at the conclusion of the Banquet.

All in all this was one of the most enjoyable and successful of the banquets sponsored by the Armenian Studies Program.