{"id":2605,"date":"2018-10-17T07:43:19","date_gmt":"2018-10-17T07:43:19","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/100pillars.aua.am\/?p=2605"},"modified":"2018-10-18T06:13:43","modified_gmt":"2018-10-18T06:13:43","slug":"appreciation-and-promotion-event-for-100-pillars-of-aua-campaign-held-in-u-s","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/100pillars.aua.am\/2018\/10\/17\/appreciation-and-promotion-event-for-100-pillars-of-aua-campaign-held-in-u-s\/","title":{"rendered":"Appreciation and Promotion Event for 100 Pillars of AUA Campaign Held in U.S."},"content":{"rendered":"

ORANGE COUNTY, CALIFORNIA \u2012 Dedicated supporters of the American\u00a0University of Armenia (AUA) gathered to promote the 100 Pillars of AUA campaign in an event hosted by Dr. Kris Mirzayan and Mrs. Pamela Ascher Mirzayan on Saturday, August 11, 2018, at Zov\u2019s Bistro in Orange County, California.
\n The afternoon was filled with camaraderie and conversation, as guests learned more about the reputable university \u2012 the only one in the Caucasus region with U.S. accreditation \u2012 as well as recent updates and accomplishments of students and faculty.
\n \u201cI am bringing greetings from a New Armenia,\u201d said AUA President Dr. Armen Der Kiureghian in his remarks. \u201cThe changes are momentous, from rule of law to transparency to principles of democracy.\u201d
\n He spoke of the student body\u2019s engagement and participation in the Velvet Revolution last April, giving them the chance to become civic activists and ultimately help turn the tide in the country. Dr. Der Kiureghian noted that the homeland is moving in the right direction with many AUA alumni in the new government serving as ministers and deputy ministers.
\n \u201cAUA is the best investment the Diaspora has made in Armenia,\u201d said Dr. Der Kiureghian. \u201cWe select based on merit, not connections, and prepare the leaders of Armenia.\u201d
\n During this symbolic moment in Armenia\u2019s history, AUA continues to thrive, strengthening its significant affiliation with the University of California, which also manages the institution\u2019s endowment, receiving high level management at no cost to the university through its in-kind support. Dr. Der Kiureghian highlighted that the endowment has tripled in the last four years and is currently at a healthy $60 million mark. Under the careful guidance of the board, many of whom are high-ranking academics, AUA has grown tremendously since its inception 27 years ago, attracting top students and international faculty in a technologically-advanced academic environment.
\n These positive developments have occured because of the support of donors, particularly the 100 Pillars of AUA campaign, as committed benefactors come together to provide $50,000 over the course of 5 years in unrestricted funds to meet the institution\u2019s highest needs, which, according to Dr. Der Kiureghian, \u201callows the university to stay true to its promise of need-blind admission policy.\u201d Thanks to the pillar campaign, more than half of AUA students receive scholarships and benefit from new academic curricula, such as the recently established Bachelor of Science degree in engineering and data science, along with courses on data mining and artificial intelligence, ensuring AUA is on the pulse of technology and education.
\n Lifelong educator and philanthropist Dr. Mirzayan said it was \u201clove at first sight\u201d when he first connected with AUA. While teaching business as a visiting professor at the Manoogian Simone College of Business and Economics (CBE) during the Fall 2017 semester, he became closer to the students.
\n \u201cI could see the potential in their eyes,\u201d said Dr. Mirzayan. \u201cI realized they are not only students, but they are the future of Armenia.\u201d
\n An enthusiastic supporter of AUA, Dr. Mirzayan taught theory while also bringing valuable real-world experience into the classroom through his experience as a seasoned professor of business and marketing in the California State University system, as well as running a successful plastic manufacturing company in Orange County. He has been a devoted member of the Armenian community throughout his life, serving on the St. Mary Armenian Apostolic Church Parish Council in Orange County and also on the Diocesan Council of the Western Diocese of the Armenian Church.
\n Demonstrating his compassion to the University, Dr. Mirzayan concluded his remarks by presenting a check fulfilling his pillar commitment to Dr. Der Kiureghian and encouraged everyone in the room to learn more about AUA and \u201cits impact on a new Armenia.\u201d
\n \u201cWe all love Armenia and we all give to Armenia,\u201d said Dr. Mirzayan. \u201cBut this isn\u2019t just for Armenia today, this is for the Armenia of tomorrow.\u201d
\n In the positive spirit of the afternoon, Dr. Der Kiureghian announced a new pillar who joined this influential group of leaders, AUA supporter Dr. Maral Dabaghian-Anjargolian, who has an annual scholarship in her name, providing educational funding for AUA students. In addition, her daughter Sara Anjargolian, Esq. is the founder of the innovative Impact Hub Yerevan and has also taught at AUA.
\n Dr. Der Kiureghian recognized and thanked the pillars in attendance, including Mr. and Mrs. Albert and Terry Bezjian, Dr. and Mrs. Noubar and Tracy Ouzounian, Dr. and Mrs. Kris and Pamela Mirzayan and Mr. and Mrs. Charles and Peggy Barsam, whose father, Vartkes Barsam was one of the university\u2019s founding trustees and a major donor to the institution.
\n The support linked from the Diaspora to the homeland through the paintings of Yerevan-based artist Arev Petrosyan, who has pledged to donate half the proceeds from each of her sold artwork to benefit the \u201cYes, Armenian Women Can!\u201d campaign, which provides scholarships for female AUA students studying computer science, technology and engineering. Mr. and Mrs. Barsam purchased the mixed media piece, \u201cEnergy Harvest,\u201d consisting of gold and silver leafs, during the silent auction, contributing even further to AUA.
\n Director of Development Gaiane Khachatryan thanked guests for promoting AUA\u2019s pillar program and encouraged them to become more involved in the University. She introduced the Development Team, including Aline Barsoumian and Marianna Achemian, Assistant Directors of Development, and Taleen Babayan, Associate Director of Development, Communications & Stewardship, while highlighting the team\u2019s commitment to AUA\u2019s mission and enthusiasm to serve as a bridge connecting the diaspora with AUA students.
\n Praising the efforts of Dr. Mirzayan and his wife, Dr. Der Kiureghian presented them with gifts, including a hand painted AUA scarf and an engraved glass award, in appreciation for hosting the pillar event and for their ongoing dedication to the university.
\n \u201cA pillar is what a university stands on and the 100 Pillars of AUA campaign serves as the foundation of this leading academic institution,\u201d said Dr. Mirzayan. \u201cIt is a pleasure to be a pillar and I thank you for giving me that pleasure.\u201d
\n Bringing to life the support of pillars were two AUA students who exemplified, through their presence and words, the true spirit of the University and its contributions to society as a whole. Karine Mkhitaryan, a sophomore studying business with plans to pursue an MBA, said she appreciates the opportunity to express her opinion and the motivating environment of her academic institution. She is working toward not only a degree, but the opportunity to advance \u00a0her birthplace.
\n \u201cI want to see justice and to be able to contribute to the prosperity of my country,\u201d said Mkhitaryan. \u201cI ask you to believe that together we can build a better Armenia, our dream Armenia.\u201d
\n Hailing from the southern Armenian province of Syunik, Lilia Mamikonyan, a rising senior majoring in the rapidly developing field of computer science, said she has thrived during her years as an undergraduate.
\n \u201cFor me AUA creates a productive, challenging and creative environment where I am able to grow every day,\u201d said Mamikonyan.
\n She expressed appreciation for her scholarship, funded by AUA donors Laura and Ara Dirtadian, which gave her the chance to attend college and to achieve her academic goals.
\n \u201cI am thankful to walk into AUA every single morning,\u201d said Mamikonyan. \u201cThe support we are given by all of you is priceless.\u201d
\n Founded in 1991, the American University of Armenia (AUA) is a private, independent university located in Yerevan, Armenia and affiliated with the University of California. AUA provides a global education in Armenia and the region, offering high-quality, graduate and undergraduate studies, encouraging civic engagement, and promoting public service and democratic values. For more information about the American University of Armenia and its donor opportunities, please visit\u00a0www.aua.am.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
AUA President Dr. Armen Der Kiureghian with Dr. Maral Dabaghian-Anjargolian and Dr. Kris Mirzayan<\/figcaption><\/figure>
\"\"<\/a>
AUA President Dr. Armen Der Kiureghian, Ms. Diane Barsam and Drs. Armine and Vahe Meghrouni<\/figcaption><\/figure>
\"\"<\/a>
Mr. and Mrs. Garbis and Zov Karamardian<\/figcaption><\/figure>
\"\"<\/a>
Reverend Father Moushegh Tashjian, AUA President Dr. Armen Der Kiureghian, Yn. Sylva Tashijian, Hosts Dr. Kris Mirzayan & Mrs. Pamela Ascher Mirzayan, Mrs. Peggy Barsam & Mr. Charles Barsam<\/figcaption><\/figure>
\"\"<\/a>
AUA President Dr. Armen Der Kiureghian addressing the guests<\/figcaption><\/figure>
\"\"<\/a>
Event Hosts, Dr. Kris Mirzayan & Mrs. Pamela Ascher Mirzayan<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

ORANGE COUNTY, CALIFORNIA \u2012 Dedicated supporters of the American University of Armenia (AUA) gathered to promote the 100 Pillars of AUA campaign in an event hosted by Dr. Kris Mirzayan and Mrs. Pamela Ascher Mirzayan on Saturday, August 11, 2018, at Zov\u2019s Bistro in Orange County, California. <\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"pgc_meta":"","om_disable_all_campaigns":false,"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"footnotes":"","_links_to":"","_links_to_target":""},"categories":[21],"tags":[],"aioseo_notices":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/100pillars.aua.am\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2605"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/100pillars.aua.am\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/100pillars.aua.am\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/100pillars.aua.am\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/100pillars.aua.am\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2605"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/100pillars.aua.am\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2605\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/100pillars.aua.am\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2605"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/100pillars.aua.am\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2605"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/100pillars.aua.am\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2605"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}