by Alin K. Gregorian
WATERTOWN — The first-ever East Coast fundraiser for the American University of Armenia (AUA), which took place on October 5 at the Oakley Country Club, raised $2.7 million.
The event, titled “Catalysts for Change,” paid tribute to the Avedisian family, major donors to AUA in the past two decades, with tributes to the late Edward Avedisian, and his widow, Pamela Wood Avedisian, who was present at the event.
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During an evening offering camaraderie and harkening back to AUA’s accomplishments and looking toward a more ambitious future, several alumni spoke, as did the current president, Dr. Bruce Boghosian.
Most placed the university within the context of the Republic of Armenia’s future preparedness and prosperity, and stressed the role of the diaspora in this endeavor.
Event co-chairs Katrina Menzigian and Armine Manukyan Humphrey welcomed the guests, thanking the AUA team for their work executing the event. Menzigian recalled how her personal connection with AUA, when she became “employee number one of AUA in Oakland.”
“Thirty years later, AUA graduates are doing what the university founders hoped they would. Mission accomplished,” she said.
One of those students is Alisa Chalakhyan, class of 2019, who after getting a master’s degree in enterprise risk management from Columbia, is working toward a doctorate in entrepreneurship at Pennsylvania State University. Chalakhyan said that she planned to go back to teach at AUA upon completing her PhD. “Your support has had not only a magnificent impact on my life, but through people like myself, it continues its impact on thousands and thousands of young professionals,” Chalakhyan said. “With your support, you’re not only changing lives, but you’re helping shape the future of Armenia.”
Next, Boghosian, now in his second stint as president of AUA, addressed the assembled. “There is a great deal happening at the AUA. In February we received notice that AUA was reaccredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges [WASC] for the maximum possible period of 10 years,” Boghossian said. “AUA is currently the only university in Armenia — or in the former Soviet Union — that has earned regional accreditation recognized by the US.”
AUA operates under the structure of the University of California system. Noted Boghosian, “The University of California is one of the founding organizations of the AUA. They’ve been a source of guidance and help for us over the decades.”
He paid tribute to the university’s new provost, Dr. Alina Gharabegian, who was not at the program. She was named provost in July after teaching for several years at New Jersey State University.
Said Boghosian, “She has hit the ground running as provost and we are delighted to have her on board.”
He then related developments at AUA, including the inauguration of Najarian Center for Social Entrepreneurship, which houses the university’s extension program, and a simulation laboratory for the nursing program, and the new student dormitories, which house students from the provinces as well as refugees from Artsakh.
Benefactors K. George and Dr. Carolann Najarian were present and received hearty thanks for their contributions.
He spoke about the AUA Media Lab, which recently received a donation from the USAID’s American Schools and Hospitals Abroad (ASHA) program. Altogether, ASHA has donated a total of $17 million over the years.
In addition, AUA has broken ground for a new sports center, Boghosian said.
The university, under Gharabegian, will look to increase cooperation and faculty and student exchanges with international universities, he noted. One of the successful programs already in place at AUA involves Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI), in Massachusetts. (Former WPI Provost Dr. Diran Apelian was at the event.)
Boghosian said it is how the school operates that makes it different from other universities in Armenia. “It is a truly American institution of higher education located in Yerevan. … Among other things, it means our faculty enjoys the privilege academic freedom, which is a unique concept in American higher education,” he said. “The style of teaching is similar to what you would see at any major American university.”
He said AUA offers need-blind financial aid. “We are committed to the principle that all deserving students who have the merit in their academic record to be accepted at AUA should have the opportunity to study at AUA.”
Pivoting to the university’s Armenian character, Boghosian said AUA is focused on “producing graduates who will contribute to the defense, economy and future of Armenia.” Ambitious plans are underway, he added.
Next year, AUA, in collaboration with Washington State University, will add a master’s degree in journalism. Other degrees in the works include a master’s degree in education and doctoral programs in aerospace engineering, machine learning and artificial intelligence.
He thanked diasporan donors who have made the programs possible, adding, “AUA has sometimes been described as the most important and significant gift that the Armenian diaspora has given the Republic of Armenia.”
As he thanked all the diaspora donors, he paid tribute to the evening’s honoree, Pamela Avedisian.
“AUA would not be close to the size and the success that it has achieved today without the generosity of the Avedisian family,” he said.
Pamela Avedisian, picking up her Visionary Philanthropist Award, spoke about the origins of her husband’s large donations to AUA. (His notable donations to Boston University School of Medicine and the National Association for Armenian Studies and Research have made news over the past decade.)
“Education was paramount to living a fulfilling life. Edward recognized that the success he had achieved in life was in large part due to his parents, the great sacrifices they had made for their children and the loving and nurturing environment that was their home,” she said. Edward Avedisian, an AUA board member starting in 1999, died at age 85 in 2022. “Our family is pleased to support the students of AUA as they successfully navigate their paths toward a rich and rewarding life,” she said.“Ed and I both looked forward each year to attending commencement and the launch of a new class of graduates. It was truly the highlight of our year.”
“Our aim is for the Avedisian family legacy to continue to grow and support AUA as a leader in new and exciting interdisciplinary fields that will educate the students of today into the leaders of tomorrow,” she added.
Edward Avedisian was notable not only for his donations to a spectrum of organizations, but also for never naming them for himself, but his parents, siblings and friends. At AUA, the buildings are named for his parents and siblings. A $20-million donation from Pamela Avedisian in 2023 will lead to the creation of several new buildings, including the Edward and Pamela Avedisian Building for Humanities and Social Science.
