HAIGAZIAN UNIVERSITY

Dream, Learn, Dare

Issue № 22 – Fall 2011

Special Issue InspiritSpecial Issue Inspirit

Inspirit • Issue № 22 – Fall 20112

Contents

President’s Word . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2

HU 55th Anniversary Events . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3

Events at HU . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4

Miscellaneous News . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5

Book Launchings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7

HU Graduation Events . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8

Student News . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10

Faculty & Staff News . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12

Special Events . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16

Lectures at HU . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18

Editorial Team

Photographers

Mary GhazarianPresident’s Secretary

Mira YardemianDirector of Public Relations

Rev. Greg Lee-ParkerCampus Minister

Haigazian University staffMr. Raffi BerberianMr. Mahmoud KheirMs. Garin Haidostian

President’s Word

What makes the world go round is balance. What makes a person maintain livelihood is balance.

What makes sense for budgets is balance. What gives health to the body is a balanced diet. What leads one’s spirit to inner peace is balance. What stabilizes rela-tionships is balance. What unites the heavens and the earth is balance. What makes a person whole is the body, mind, soul balance.

Haigazian University has directly and indirectly taught that balance is a value we should cherish. It is a critical need of life for good judgment and good qual-ity, and it gives both a deep and a wide perspective in life. Balance is what opens your eyes. Imbalance and radicalism show part of the picture. Balance shows much more.

Balance does not mean neutrality in everything. Where there is suffering, neglect, corruption, injustice, or superficiality, you cannot be neutral, for as it is said

“you cannot be neutral on a moving train” and you can-not be neutral where there is pain. Neutrality is only one part of a balanced life.

Most importantly, balance in the mind requires both simple focus as well as critical thinking.

I hope that education at Haigazian University leads the young ones into such a balance, and that our graduates enjoy the fruits of the same.

Rev. Paul Haidostian, Ph.D.President D

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Haigazian University Board of Trustees members had their second annual meeting in Los Angeles on Novem-ber 11 and 12.

3HU 55th Anniversary Events

On the occasion of the 20th anniversary of the decla-

ration of the Republic of Ar-menia and the 55th anniversary of Haigazian University, in co-operation with the Republic of Armenia Ministry of Diaspora, Haigazian University and Ye-revan State University, the “Ar-menia-Diaspora Cooperation: Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow” conference took place at Hai-gazian University in Beirut, from September 5 to September 7, 2011.

The official opening of the conference took place on Mon-day, September 5, 2011. The speakers at the official opening session were the Ambassador of the Armenian Republic in Lebanon, HE Mr. Ashod Ko-charian, the President of Hai-gazian University, Rev. Dr. Paul Haidostian, and the President of the Yerevan State University, Rector Prof. Aram Simonian and the Minister of Diaspora, Dr. Hranoush Hagopian.

On Tuesday and Wednesday Armenian intellectuals from Armenia, Canada, and Lebanon exchanged ideas and presented various aspects of the Armenia-Diaspora cooperation.

As a result of the conference, Rev. Dr. Haidostian announced the establishment of the Hai-gazian University Diaspora Research Center.

Republic of Armenia-Diaspora Cooperation:

Yesterday, Today & Tomorrow Conference

Inspirit • Issue № 22 – Fall 2011

Alumni Reunion Dinner: A Treasured Evening of Fellowship

Founders’ Day

On Thursday, July 21, 2011, Haigazian University alumni, of different graduating

years, attended the annual reception dinner, which took place in the courtyard of the Heritage Building, on May Ziade street.

Gassia Keloukian, from the class of 2004, and former student Shant Kabakian, now a rising comedy star, cheerfully emceed the evening.

A band of Haigazian University students and graduates, with soloist Aline Naccachian, entertained those gathered playing soft rock hits, while Lebanon’s champion in Latin dance, a fresh graduate, Mher Kandoyan, passionately performed with his partner Ghinwa Slaidi.

The program concluded with a raffle drawing of wonderful gifts distributed to lucky winners.

Haigazian University celebrated Founders’ Day on Monday, October 17, 2011, in the

presence of its Board members, faculty, staff and students.

The keynote address was delivered by Mrs. Laure Sleiman Saab, Director of the National News Agency in Lebanon, which has just cel-ebrated its 50th year.

Saab expressed her gratitude for being in-vited to this honorable event and congratulated the University on its 56th anniversary. Taking the University motto to heart, Saab stressed on the importance of truth, freedom and service as they apply in various circles of life, whether it be schools, universities or the media.

Afterwards, President Haidostian presented Saab with a plaque of appreciation and con-gratulations for the 50 years of service of the National News Agency. Saab in turn, presented Dr. Haidostian with a historical book featuring images of Lebanon between 1961 and 2011.

Events at HU

Student of the Year 2011: Talar Mandoyan

5Miscellaneous News

8th AMICAL Conference

The American International Consortium of Academic Libraries, AMICAL, is a 25-member organization of which

Haigazian University is the newest member.

Haigazian joined AMICAL in March 2011, and as such, par-ticipated in the 8th annual conference hosted at the Lebanese American University from April 27-30. Our University was represented by Senior Systems Analyst, Mr. Vahe Ghorghorian; Librarian’s Assistant for Technical Services, Ms. Tamar Berberian; and University Librarian, Ms. Sonia Sislian.

Throughout the conference, the 135 participants had the opportunity to mingle and discuss the advantages and obstacles that modern libraries encounter.

On Monday, July 18, 2011, on the occasion of the

Howard Karagheuzian Foun-dation’s 90th Anniversary, a delegation of 20 social workers, headed by the Foundation’s Director, Rev. Robert Sarkissian, and including representatives and social workers of various Armenian foundations, paid a visit to Haigazian University.

Howard Karagheuzian Foundation’s Visit to HU

On August 13, 2011, a fundraising dinner and a viewing of art collection was underwrit-

ten and hosted by Hratch and Helga Sarkis at their beautiful home overlooking the Getty museum. Members of the Board of Trustees as well as Alumni and friends of Haigazian University were present. The sum of $20,000 was raised and the proceeds went to an impor-tant IT project at Haigazian.

Fundraising Event at the Sarkis’

With the new director, Mr. Serop Ohanian

AMERICAN BOARD: History Remembered at Haigazian University

6 Inspirit • Issue № 22 – Fall 2011

Haigazian University hosted a panel discussion the

evening of August 24, 2011 commemorating the 200th an-niversary of the founding of the American Board Mission. Some panelists stressed that this was a “commemoration and not a celebration,” given the mixed legacy of the mis-sionary project. The American Board’s history was examined by six panelists in all its human-ness, courage and dedication,

cultural insensitivity and in-flexibility, martyrdom, and the establishment of educational institutions that have withstood the test of time.

Dean Fadi Asrawi of the Faculty of Business Ad-

ministration and Economics and Cyra and Donald Goertzen of the Center for Economic Justice attended the annual conference of the Human Ca-pabilities and Development Association (HCDA) in the Hague, Netherlands, from Sep-tember 5 to 9, 2011.

Dean Asrawi and Mr. and Mrs. Goertzen attended

Human Capabilities & Development Conference

On October 13, 2011, the HU Alumni Committee in Los

Angeles organized a reception at the Darakjian residence. HU alumni and members of the Board of Trustees shared a Mexican meal and enjoyed the music.

HU Alumni in LA

7Book LaunchingsAt Haigazian University

On June 22, Haigazian Uni-versity launched the 31st

volume of the Haigazian Ar-menological Review. The cur-rent 31st volume of the Haigazian Armenological Review is 764 pages.

Haigazian Armenological Review

On Monday, October 31, 2011, Haigazian University

organized a book signing for Krikor Beledian’s Seuils, which has been newly translated into French. As a francophone evening, the event was organ-ised in parallel to the 18th Francophone Book Fair at Biel

SEUILS by Krikor Beledian

that will run until November 6.

Dean of Arts and Sciences, Dr. Arda Ekmekji welcomed everyone to this event and in-troduced Beledian as a man coming from “among us”, born in Achrafieh and later moving to France, where he pursued a prolific literary career.

On Friday Sept. 9, 2011, in the beautiful courtyard

of the Heritage Building, Hai-gazian University launched its newly established Haigazian University Press, amongst the presence of religious leaders, members of parliament, gov-ernment officials, University Board of Trustees, faculty and staff, and numerous guests. On this special occasion, Dean of the Faculty of Arts and Sciences, Dr. Arda Arsenian Ekmekji, signed her book Towards Golgotha, The Memoirs of Hagop Arsenian, a Genocide Survivor, the first book pub-lished under Haigazian Uni-versity Press.

Towards Golgotha

Dr. Arda Ekmekji

Former Minister of Info. & Culture, Dr. Tarek Mitri

PR Director, Mrs. Mira Yardemian

Graduation EventsAt Haigazian University

8 Inspirit • Issue № 22 – Fall 2011

Haigazian University held its annual commence-

ment for the In-service Teacher Training Program on June 24, 2011, in the presence of an au-dience filled with relatives, friends and colleagues of the graduates.

In-Service Teacher Training Graduation

Eleven teachers, who currently teach in eight dif-ferent schools, received the In-Service Teacher Training Certificate from the hands of Rev. Dr. Paul Haidostian,

President of Haigazian University. He also presented dip- lomas to four school coordinators, the first graduates of the new ‘Diploma for Coordinators and Division Heads’ program.

“Take time to listen to the inner, gentle voice within yourself … and perhaps then

you will hear that voice telling you ‘Well done, good and faithful servant’.” These words sum up the message offered by Rev. Robert Sarkissian, vice-chair of the Haigazian University Board of Trustees, to the graduating class of 2011, at the Baccalaureate Service held on Sunday, June

Haigazian University Baccalaureate Service for the Class of 2011

Rev. Robert Sarkissian

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26, 2011, in the First Armenian Evangelical Church in Beirut.

After the word of Rev. Dr. Haidostian, President of Haigazian University, the Presi-dent of the Union of the Armenian Evangelical Churches in the Near East, Rev. Megerditch Karageozian, pronounced the benediction, whereupon the class of 2011 marched out of the church with the recessional, each carrying the light of truth, freedom and service to the world. The service was followed by an informal recep-tion in the Mugar Garden.

On Friday, July 1, 2011, Haigazian University proudly graduated 150 students in the First

Armenian Evangelical Church courtyard in Beirut.

The ceremony honored 150 students from the faculties of Business Administration & Eco-nomics, Humanities, Sciences and Social and Behavioral Sciences with the BA and BS degrees, including 14 students with the Masters Degrees in the faculties of Business Administration

Haigazian Universit y ’s 51st Commencement Exercises

& Economics and Social & Be-havioral Sciences.

The keynote speaker of the ceremony, Michel Goguikian, founder of the Goguikian Foun- dation, spoke to the Haigazian graduates about his life experi-ences in South America.

The graduates then walked out proudly with the recessional

“Trumpet Tune” by Henry Purcell, eager to move to the Mugar and

the Heritage Building gardens and take memorable pictures with their friends and families to commemorate this special day.

Mr. Michel Goguikian

New Students Attended the Orientation Program at Haigazian Universit y

Inspirit • Issue № 22 – Fall 2011

More than 250 students attended the three-day

orientation program at Hai-gazian University, a program designed to introduce new stu-dents to all aspects of university life, be it academic, communal, spiritual and social. Through-out the following days the stu-dents had the chance to meet the deans, Campus Minister, Student Life Director, faculty, staff, and 2010-2011 Student of the Year, Talar Mandoyan. Orien- tation Program Director, Dr. Berge Traboulsi thanked all

Student News

program participants for their relentless efforts and input and wished the new students a smooth transition from school to university life.

On September 14, 2011, the United States Agency for International Development

(USAID) and Haigazian University launched an orientation program for 65 students selected for USAID’s University Student Assistance Program (USAP). This program provides full undergradu-ate scholarships at Haigazian University to public school graduates from throughout Lebanon, cov-ering tuition fees, living expenses, housing, books, and other educational costs. This $13.5 million U.S.-funded program reflects the inherent value the American people and the government place on educating youth.

Orientation for U.S.-Funded Scholarship Prog ram at HU

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Friday, November 11, 2011 – Little else has been talked

about over the last few days. We’ve heard it on the radio, we’ve received the messages on our phones and we’ve told our friends and family. Today was the final day to vote for Jeita as one of the new Seven World Wonders and the Stu-dent Life of Haigazian Uni-versity wanted to make this a day to remember.

In a last ditch effort shortly

Haigazian University votes for Jeita

During the summer of 2011, Haigazian University in collaboration with Mr. Ralph

Yirikian, General Manager of VivaCell-MTS, provided nine students the opportunity to do their internship in one of the most reputable companies in Armenia: VivaCell-MTS. The following is a brief summary of their time in their own words.

“On August 23, we arrived to Armenia, and on the next day, the internship began.

During the first day, we had an orientation ses-sion about the building blocks of VivaCell-MTS: its rules, structure, management, goals and dif-ferent departments were presented to us. At the end of this day, each one of us went to his or her department, where we met our supervisors. We were divided among the following departments: Accounting and Finance, Human Resource Management, Information Technology, and Marketing. Throughout this month, we were able to experience the direct application of our theo-retical knowledge of Haigazian University, as well as to gather new information, and to perform a presentation about a topic of our choice con-cerning our department. We also had the pos-sibility to participate to four different trainings, where we learned vital information applicable in our university life and later in our future ca-

Interns at VivaCell-MTS, Armenia

before voting time officially ended, dozens of students, faculty, and staff gathered on campus at 12:30 pm for the express purpose of send-ing the word “Jeita” to 1070 as many times as possible. Everyone raised their phones proudly for the picture and then pressed send simulta-neously. The event was con-cluded with an impromptu dabke performance and cheer-ful music.

reer. During this internship period, we experienced much more than our expectations: this opportu-nity was a major pillar for our future career plan. Fortunately, along with the job experience, we also had the chance to visit our mother country, and to experience everyday life in Armenia. This internship had a deeper meaning for us, and for this specific reason, I would like to thank Hai-gazian University and VivaCell-MTS for this opportunity, which was a lifetime experience for all of us.” Palig Ladayan

Inspirit • Issue № 22 – Fall 2011Faculty & Staff News

New Full-Time FacultyDr. Maximilian Felsch – Assistant Professor in Political Science

Ph.D. in Political Science - Graduate School of Politics Munster, Germany

Mrs. Rita Merhej – Lecturer in Psychology

DESS in Clinical Psychology – Université René Descartes, Sorbonne, Paris.

Dr. Basma Faour – Assistant Professor in EducationChair, Social and Behavioral Sciences

Doctorate in Education – University of Leicester, England

Dr. Hassan Saadeh – Assistant Professor in Business Administration

Ph.D. in Finance & Economics – University of Southern California, LA, USA

Staff Members We Bid Farewell to in the Past Year:

• Alan Kairouz: Assistant Director, Student Life• Vartoug Balekjian: President’s Secretary• Rozine Moughalian: Administrative Support Office

Secretary• Maria Chilinguirian: Junior Accountant

Staff Members Who Re- cently Joined HU:

• Shaghig Belikerekian: Junior Accountant• Houry Ellezian: Admissions Office

Assistant• Mary Ghazarian: President’s Secretary• Diana Maddah: Dormitory Head Resident• Hampartsoum Bilalian: Security Guard• Razmig Kaprielian: Student Life Activity

Coordinator • Tsoline Ossepian : Assistant staff at the

Student Life Office• Marlene Kabakian: Recruiter → Alumni

Office• Taline Djeghelian: Recruiter

Faculty RetreatThe President and the full-time faculty met

on Saturday, September 24, at Bois Du Bologne and discussed the plans and projects for the Academic year 2011-2012.

Maria & Alan cutting the farewell cakes

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The HU Staff Retreat

The HU staff retreat was on August 22 at Kchag.

Inspirit • Issue № 22 – Fall 2011

Papers Published by HU Facult y

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15

Dr. Asrawi at the League of Lebanese Universit iesThe League of Lebanese Universities held a

meeting on Tuesday Oct. 4, 2011 at 6 pm in The Islamic University. The election of a new executive committee took place . The Universities that were voted to the executive committee

were: NDU (president, Father Walid Moussa), LAU (vice president, Dr. Tarek Nawas), BAU (treasurer, Dr. Rajaa Fakhoury), Haigazian Uni-versity (Accountant, Dr. Fadi Asrawi) and Isla- mic University (Secretary, Mr. Soueidan Nasreddine).

Art exhibition:

On Friday, November 2011 ,18, the painting exhibition of Adonis Tohme opened at the Matossian Gallery of Haigazian University’s Art Center. The exhibition featured 35 acrylic paintings of various sizes that range from portraits to abstract works, all expressed in vivid and bright colors.

Matossian Gallery

On Friday, November 18, 2011, the painting exhibition of Adonis Tohme opened at the Matossian Gallery of Haigazian

University’s Art Center. The exhibition featured 35 acrylic paint-ings of various sizes that range from portraits to abstract works, all expressed in vivid and bright colors.

Art exhibition: “A Few Dots... And Then... A Lot More”

Inspirit • Issue № 22 – Fall 2011

In September 2010, the HU Women’s Book Club said “Farewell” to Russian Ambassa-dor’s spouse, Mrs. Olga Boukina, who was a member of the Book Club for two years.

Special Events

On May 26, students of the HU Art Club presented their paintings in the Mugar Hall.

On June 7, 2011, the Kuwait cultural Attaché and delegation visited HU.

The opening of the Ar-menian Evangelical Church Exhibition on its 165th anniver-sary took place on July 5, 2011 at the Matossian Gallery of Haigazian University.

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AMAA Interns at HUOn August 11, 2011 the AMAA interns visited HU with the

former Campus Minister Rev. Nshan Bakalian.

On the occasion of the 20th anniversary of the Independence of Armenia, Mrs. Kohar

Kocharian, the spouse of the Ambassador of the Republic of Armenia in Lebanon, H.E.

Armenian Minister of Education and Science

Armen Ashotyan paid a visit to Haigazian University on Friday, November 25, 2011, together with a delegation of seven people including the Armenian ambassador to Lebanon and embassy staff.

Ashotyan first held a pri-vate meeting with the Uni-versity President, Rev. Dr. Paul Haidostian, at which he was introduced to the University.

Haidostian presented an

Twentieth Anniversary of the Independence of ArmeniaMr. Ashod Kocharian, hosted a group of 30 spouses for a reception/lecture at Haigazian University’s Conte Hall, on Friday morning, September 30, 2011.

Armenian Minister of Education & Science Visitoverview of Haigazian Uni-versity, including the majors being offered and the current student body, as well as tui-tions and sources of finan-cing. In addition, Haidostian elaborated on the Armeno-logical Review, a University publication whose authors and contributors are mostly Armenians from Armenia. He also introduced the minister to the newly established Armen- ian Diaspora Research Center.

Minister Ashotyan spoke

of the possibility of pursuing joint degrees in partnership with Armenian universities, with an idea of cross-registering students from Armenia to Lebanon and vice versa.

Lectures at HU Inspirit • Issue № 22 – Fall 2011

On the occasion of the May 28 Armenian First

Independence, former MP Mr. Hagop Pakradouni addressed the HU students on June 3, 2011.

H.E. Mr. Hagop Pakradouni

Dr. Knel Tourian on “A Road Map for Armenia to Face its Future Energy Demands”

On Friday October 21, 2011, Haigazian Uni-versity organized a lecture on developing

renewable energy resources in Armenia by Dr. Knel Tourian.

Teaching Character in the Classroom

On Tuesday, November 29, 2011, Haigazian Univer-

sity, in collaboration with The Association of Evangelical Schools in Lebanon, Charac-

Religious and Cultural Diversity in Europe

On Friday, November 25, 2011, Haigazian University-

the Cultural Hour organized a lecture by Prof. Dr. Wolfram Reiss on Religious and Cultural Diversity in Europe: New Chal- lenges for the Study of Religion.

ter Solutions International (USA) and Grain De Blé hosted a lecture on “Teaching Cha-racter in the Classroom” by Dr. Skip and Ms. Janice Garmo.

On the occasion of World Diabetes Day, a lecture entitled “Diabetes: Awareness and

Prevention” was held in the Haigazian Uni-versity auditorium at noon on Tuesday, November 15, 2011.

The event was a collaboration of the Faculty of Health and Sciences at Haigazian University

“Diabetes: Awareness and Prevention”and DiaLeb, a not-for-profit organization created in 2011 that aims to promote diabetes care and prevention and support research in search for a cure.

The main speaker was Haigazian Faculty member, Mrs. Mirey Karavetian, a clinical dietitian currently pursuing her Ph.D. in health pro-motion at Maastricht University in the Netherlands.

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Haigazian University is exempt from US Federal Income Tax under section 501(a) of the Internal Revenue Code as a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization.

Friends‚ supporters‚ � a�umni o�

Haigazian University are invited to

contribute generously.

b

For ways of giving, you may write to the following addresses:

president@haigazian.edu.lbLHKurkjian@aol.comamaa@amaa.org

Haigazian University - Alumni OfficeTel: 961 1 353 010/1/2, 961 1 349 230/1 Ext. 252Email: mkabakian@haigazian.edu.lb

alumni@haigazian.edu.lb

www.haigazian.edu.lb

Haigazian University - President's Officemary.ghazarian@haigazian.edu.lb

ThanksWith many thanks and deep appreciation,

Haigazian University registered its special rec-ognition for Mrs. Arsiné Kondayan Arsenian’s donation of her 10 acres of property near Lancaster in Los Angeles Country. The property was put up for sale and the net sum of $14,426 was received in July, 2011. The transfer of the

Books that You May Find in the President's Office

estate was made possible by Mrs. Setta McCabbe. Mrs. Arsenian (1914-2008) was active in the Armenian Allied Arts organization in Los Angeles. She was a member of the San Diego Museum of Art and the La Jolla Chamber of Orchestra.

The Haigazian University Newsletter Herald Inspirit, the magazine for alumni and friends of Haigazian University, is published by the Office of the President.

Need to reach Herald Inspirit?

Mexique Street, Kantari | P.O. Box: 11-1748Riad el Solh 1107 2090, Beirut – Lebanon

Telephone: 961 1 739 412 • Telefax: 961 1 350 926Website: www.haigazian.edu.lb/inspirit

Design & Printing Chirak Printing - Publishing

HeraldSpecial Issue Inspirit

Dear HU Alumni,It is through your endeavors that the name of our University

is spread worldwide. We will dedicate a page in the INSPIRIT to follow up with the news of our graduates. You are kindly asked

to email to the new Alumni officer, Mrs. Marlene Kabakian, mkabakian@haigazian.edu.lb

your mailing address, telephone number, current position and the name of the organization you work at as well as the date of your graduation. In one sentence or two send us any major news or

development about yourself which we may edit and publish.

We are anxious to hear your news.

Here we would like to thank and say Farewell to Mrs. Rosine Moughalian for all her effort in the Alumni office.