Haigazian Garden Event Yields Humanitarian Aid for Syrian Armenian Students

By Phyllis Hamo

Thanks to charitable sponsors and contributors, on Aug. 6 Syrian Armenian refugee students at Haigazian University in Beirut, Lebanon became recipients of new scholarships created at a sold-out dinner dance held 7,000 miles away at Descanso Gardens, La Canada, Calif.

Haigazian Board of Trustees Chair Dr. Ani Darakjian greets the guests

“An Evening in the Garden” was deemed “mission accomplished” by Haigazian board members, auxiliary members, alumni, and the planning committee. Following a social hour in the Descanso Garden patio, guests adjourned to the banquet room for dinner, dancing, and an informative program which began with an invocation by Joseph H. Stein, Jr., a lifelong Haigazian supporter, champion of education, and past president of the California State Board of Education. Very Rev. Pakrad Berjikian of the Western Diocese prayed in Armenian.

Dr. Hasmig Baran, a member of Haigazian University’s board of trustees and Prelacy Schools board of regents, gave an update on recent Haigazian events and successes. She praised Haigazian University President Rev. Dr. Paul Haidostian, alumni chairman Raffi Kendirjian, who served as the evening’s master of ceremonies, and the active alumni. She credited Women’s Auxiliary President Joyce Stein and auxiliary members for their decades of devotion. Baran also recognized the loyal Haigazian Board of Trustees which has been chaired by Dr. Ani Darakjian for the past seven years.

Haigazian University LA Alumni Chair Raffi Kendirjian welcomes the guests

Baran noted that Haigazian recently hired Dr. Nanor Karageozian to serve in a new Armenian Studies Department director position and Dro Abrahamian in the new role of director of advancement.

Testimonies were offered by Haigazian graduates Houri Tavitian (Class of 1985) and Serge Kurdian (Class of 2011). Tavitian remembered the difficult Lebanese war years and credited Haigazian for her life successes. “You were there for us,” she said in thanks to the audience. Kurdian told the crowd that he, too, was thankful for the opportunities Haigazian afforded him. He is continuing his studies at California State University, Northridge.

Some of the Haigazian University alumni attending the event

Founded in 1955, Haigazian University is the only Armenian university in the diaspora. Most of the university’s 39 Syrian Armenian students receive tuition and housing support. Additional contributions for displaced Haigazian Syrian Armenian students may be sent to the Armenian Missionary Association of America, 31 W. Century Rd., Paramus, N.J., 07652.