Boston Area Students Gather for Productive Meeting

BOSTON, Mass. (A.W.)—On Sun., Sept. 30, Boston University’s Armenian Students’ Association (BU ASA) hosted a reception for Armenian college students in the Greater Boston area. Over 12 schools, including Yale University and Brown University, were represented at the meeting, where students discussed their plans for the upcoming year.

The president and vice-president of the BU ASA, Dalita Khoury and Tyler Kalajian, planned the event with their club adviser, Prof. Simon Payaslian, over the summer. Payaslian gave a presentation at the beginning of the event, which was followed by an open discussion amongst members of each club.

“We talked about topics ranging from charity work, fundraising, athletic events, educational events, and social events. We talked about ways we can be active in the local Boston community and even ways to make a difference in Armenia,” Khoury said. “We are a very ambitious young group of people. I think it will take time to really get things moving, but this is a really impressive and promising start,” she added hopefully.

Kalajian explained that the primary purpose of the discussion was “simply to be with our Armenian brothers and sisters.” At the meeting, the students decided it would be appropriate to hold monthly inter-club meetings. “We also planned on hosting an event each month—whether it’s social, community service-based, or academic based,” he added. Khoury agreed. “Whether it’s a big fundraiser, an educational event, or just a simple potluck dinner, we just want to get to know each other better and instill solidarity among us.” A different university will host the meetings each month.

The president of Northeastern University’s ASA, Dan Chakmakjian, expressed his enthusiasm over the meeting, which was held in one of BU’s most elegant buildings, the Castle—a first for the community. “I think that in order to really build relationships, we will need a less formal setting. However for the purpose of this event, the venue was perfect!”

Northeastern University’s ASA joins the list of recently recognized official Armenian college organizations, which includes Tufts University.

• Bio
• Latest Posts

Lilly Torosyan

Lilly Torosyan is a freelance writer based in Connecticut. Her writing focuses on the confluence of identity, diaspora and language – especially within the global Armenian communities. She has a master’s degree in Human Rights from University College London and a bachelor’s degree in International Relations from Boston University, where she served on the ASA Executive Board. She is currently working on her inaugural poetry collection.

Latest posts by Lilly Torosyan (see all)

• Reflections on Hamazkayin’s Cultural Retreat at NAASR - November 8, 2023
• To those who seek to destroy us, I see you - August 23, 2023
• Reflections from Artsakh—”a land with broken lines” - July 13, 2023