HAIGAZIAN UNIVERSITY Special Issue Inspirit Issue № 21 – Spring 2011 55 Years of Truthful Service 2 Inspirit • Issue № 21 – Spring 2011 President Haidostian’s Visit to the UK & USA Reception in the St. Sarkis Church Contents n Monday, April 11, 2011, a reception was held at Othe Gulbenkian Hall of St. Sarkis Church, London, in honor of the Rev. Dr. Paul Haidostian. The event was hosted by the Primate of the Armenian Church in the UK as part of the Continuing Education Ministry (CEM). President Haidostian talked about the history, challenges and future programs of Haigazian University. Lecture in Clark University of Worcester, MA he Clark University Strassler Center for Holocaust President’s Visit 2 and Genocide Studies hosted a lecture by Rev. Dr. Paul T Special Events at HU 3 Haidostian entitled “The American Missionaries and the Armenian Genocide: How to Assess their Ministry?” Miscellaneous News 4 on April 14, 2011 in Tilton Hall, Higgins University Book Launchings 6 Center. He also met with the director of the Strassler Center. Further, he took part in many other events in the area. Matossian Art Gallery Exhibitions 7 HU 55th Anniversary Events 8 Lectures at HU 12 Visitors at HU 13 Faculty & Staff News 14 Student News 18 Editorial Team Vartoug Balekjian President’s Secretary Mira Yardemian Director of Public Relations Rev. Greg Lee-Parker Campus Minister Photographers y 2011 Haigazian University staff Mr. Raffi Berberian Mr. Mahmoud Kheir Ms. Garin Haidostian Ms. Liana Ghazarossian Date of issue: Jul issue: of Date Special Events at HU 3 Haigazian Rocket Society n Tuesday, February 22, 2011, the replica sculpture of Cedar 4 was O installed in the Mugar Garden of Haigazian University, in tribute to the 50th Anniversary of the Haigazian Rocket Society, and in conjunction with the documentary film being directed by Joana Hadjithomas and Khalil Joreige, which examines the Lebanese Rocket Society and its contribution to science. Cedar 4, was a three stage rocket that was launched on November 21, 1963, reaching an altitude of 200 km and covering a distance of 600 km. After unveiling the sculpture, in the presence of students, faculty, staff and journalists, President of Haigazian University, Rev. Dr. Paul Haidostian, offered a short speech. In their turn, both Directors Hadji- thomas and Joreige shared with the audience their vision and said that it represents their faith in science and research. Installing the Cedar 4 in the Mugar Garden Haigazian University Founder’s Day and Outdoors Event n Friday, October 22, 2010, Haigazian University Ocelebrated Founder’s Day in a festive mood, combining the occasion with an outdoor event that featured shows, music, food and competitions. After the Lebanese national anthem, the university Alma Mater and a prayer by the campus minister, Rev. Greg Lee-Parker, President Haidostian welcomed every- one and thanked God for fifty-five fruitful years. He urged the students to search for the “quality of life” in this academic year at Haigazian. Founder’s Day Then the 2010 Student of the Year, Garo Agopian fondly remembered his four-year journey at Haigazian and expressed his gratitude to the University. Student Life Director, Antranig Dakessian thanked all those who worked hard on this outdoor event. Many student clubs had their own booths. Books, chocolate and olive oil where among the things for sale. The evening concluded with music and dance. One of the eating contests 4 Miscellaneous Inspirit • Issue № 21 – Spring 2011 News Haigazian University organizes a Pilgrimage to Historic Aintoura n collaboration with Missak Keleshian (an indepen- I dent researcher of historical archives), Haigazian University organized a pilgrimage-trip on December 5, 2010 to the Saint Joseph College of Aintoura, (Keserouan) north of Beirut, to visit the site of the orphanage that kept around 1,000 Armenian orphans during the WWI, in miserable conditions. Joining HU’s caravan of buses and cars at three designated centers, more than 150 participants headed Mr. Missak Keleshian, talking on the orphanage to Aintoura , where Mr. Missak Keleshian described (with visual presentations) how the orphans lived in the different sections of the orphanage. The last stage of the tour was the touching visit to the graveyard. The march to the site was accompanied with the melody of the Armenian doudoug, played by Hagop and Sero Kelougian. There, all the participants placed white roses on a tomb or in the lap of the statue, and in front of the stone cross. The event was culminated with a biblical message and a prayer by President Haidostian, followed by the “Der Voghormia” hymn, sung by Sevan Palandjian, a deacon of the Armenian Apostolic Church of Baghdad, and currently a student at HU. A child places his white rose on the tombstone Armenian Genocide Commemoration n Monday, April 25, 2011, Haigazian University Fazlian, Conductor of the Lebanese Philharmonic Ocommemorated the 96th Anniversary of the Orchestra; Mr. Wael Kheir, lecturer on International Armenian Genocide through poetry, narrative and Law and Human Rights; Ms. Sarah Adams, the music at the First Armenian Evangelical Church in representative of the Mennonite Central Committee Kantari, Beirut. for Lebanon & Syria; Mrs. Carmen Labaki Kadian, The prominent participants invited to read these movie director and producer; and Ms. Dima Matta, passages came from various walks of life, including a Haigazian University graduate. H.E. Mr. Ashod Kotcharian, the Armenian Ambassador, The poignant musical pieces selected for this sol- Mr. Mohammad El Sammak, Secretary General of emn occasion were performed by the Ethno Vocal the Christian-Muslim Committee for Dialogue, and Trio of Armenia, led by Anna Mayilian, the artistic Secretary General of the Islamic Spiritual Summit director, and vocalists Alina Avakian and Hasmig in Lebanon; Father Marwan Tabet, Secretary General Zakarian, as well as pianist Elen Giragosian. The of the Catholic Schools in Lebanon; Maestro Dr. Harout enthralling choral piece “Ov Hayots Ashkhar” was 5 jointly sung by the Hamazkayin Ayk Choir and the Armenian Evangelical Armiss Choir, under the leadership of Mr. Zakar Keshishian. The namesake of the University, Dr. Armenag Haigazian’s tragic suffering and death was remembered through the words of his grandson, in a filmed excerpt of the 2010 graduation ceremony. Another moving video segment came from Peter Balakian’s lecture at Haigazian University, back in 2005, reading the story of “Manoug”, from his book The Black Dog of Fate. In addition, a slide show of the famous French- Armenian artist Jansem’s paintings depicted scenes of deportation and martyrdom, as Lucine Zakarian’s recorded music moved the audience with awe. Participants of the Genocide Commemoration Board of Trustees Meeting in Beirut n May 6 & 7, the Haigazian University Board Oof Trustees came together from the US and Lebanon for their annual meeting in Beirut. The two-day program included a special dinner at Le Bristol Hotel in Hamra. Speaking at the dinner, the Armenian Ambassador to Lebanon, H.E. Mr. Ashod Kotcharian, emphasized the close relationship between Lebanon and Armenia and proudly announced the birth of the “Lebanon- Ryan Gliha speaking at the dinner Armenia Friendship Association.” He also congratu- lated the 55th anniversary of Haigazian University. The American Embassy, represented by the Public Affairs Officer, Mr. Ryan Gliha, expressed his country’s continuous commitment to the future of Lebanon through education as well as the belief in a strong govern- ment. President Haidostian said that he sees every Board meeting as a celebration of the mission of Haigazian University, and appreciated the Board’s continued support. Another event was an evening in KCHAG, when the Board members enjoyed a relaxing time of fellowship in the beauty and peacefulness of nature, with memories of the blessed summer campsite. 6 Book Launchings Inspirit • Issue № 21 – Spring 2011 Hosted by HU George Apelian Signs His book r. George Apelian signed his latest book, MMartyrdom Forever 2: Brother, a Scoop of Water! on October 26, 2010, in the Matossian Art Gallery at HU. The program included a word by Mr. Shahan Kandaharian, who spoke on the political importance of the book. Ara Azad, who had designed the cover, explained its symbolic meaning. There were also musical pieces and a recital, the latter by the author’s grand daughter. Mr. George Apelian signing his book at HU A Book About the Educator Peniamin Jamgotchian arking the 115th anniversary of headmaster/ Mprincipal Peniamin Jamgotchian’s birth, Haigazian University and prominent French-Armenian scientist Dr. Ari Topouzkhanian presented the launching of the book, Hushartzan Ousoutchabed Peniamin Jamgotchiani on December 4, 2010. The event was concluded by a reception in the Matossian Gallery. Dr. Ari Topouzkhanian, speaking about Mr. Peniamin Jamgotchian Launching Hrayr Jebejian’s Book he launching of Hrayr Jebejian’s book, The T Armenian’s Road to Survival took place on Feb- ruary 28, 2011, in the Auditorium. The program featured Dr. Arda Ekmekji (word of welcome); Dr. Arda Jebejian (Editor’s word); Mr. Shahan Kandaharian (presenting the book); Mrs. Irma Dedeyan (reciting a poem by Barouyr Sevag); and President Haidostian. After the program, the author signed his book in the Matossian Art Gallery in the Mugar Building, during a reception. Mr. Jebejian (Class of 1981) resides in Cyprus with his family. Matossian Art Gallery 7 Exhibitions “Phoenician Kings and Queens” Arthur K. with the UK Ambassador F.M. Guy (left) Arthur K. Paintings riday, December 17, 2010, was the opening niques and of various sizes were displayed at the F of the painting exhibition of Dr. Haroutioun gallery, exhibiting vibrant colors and a deep pers- Nicolian, aka Arthur K. pective on the faces of ancient kings and queens of More than 40 paintings with mixed media tech- Phoenicia, including Elissa, Ithobaal, and Ashtarte. “White Dreams” n Friday, February 11, 2011, the painting exhi- bition of Hrazdan Tokmajian opened.