Alumni Events Archives - AUA Newsroom https://newsroom.aua.am/category/alumni/alumni-events/ News and views from the American University of Armenia Wed, 20 Dec 2023 13:23:07 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.4.3 AUA Alumni Gather for Fundraising and Networking https://newsroom.aua.am/2023/12/20/aua-alumni-gather-fundraising-networking/ Wed, 20 Dec 2023 11:47:43 +0000 https://newsroom.aua.am/?p=60435 This was a great success in reuniting many AUA alumni and fundraising for the Alumni Endowment Scholarship Fund.

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YEREVAN, Armenia — On December 13, AUA alumni from different generations gathered at Dargett Brewpub for a networking and fundraising event. This was a first-of-its-kind event organized by the AUA Office of Alumni Relations and was a great success in reuniting many AUA alumni and fundraising for the Alumni Endowment Scholarship Fund. This new format of alumni events was commended by many attending graduates, who appreciated the opportunity to give back to their alma mater while socializing and networking with fellow alumni.

This exclusive event was kindly hosted at Dargett Brewpub, a business co-founded by the family of AUA alumnus Aris Berberyan (BAB ’18). The excitement of AUA alumni filled the room, instantly creating a celebratory ambiance. The event brought together alumni from the classes of 1990s, 2000s, 2010s, and 2020s to reunite with their old friends and meet alumni from earlier or successive classes. The festive atmosphere was complemented with the live performance of the Palemoon music band. 

The evening started with the alumni mingling, catching up with friends and making new connections and ended with a Christmas raffle won by twelve lucky alumni. The raffle prizes were generously donated by businesses founded or managed by AUA alumni and friends, such as Aregi, the largest dry fruit/veggie and healthy snack producer in Armenia founded by Armen Gharibyan (MEIESM ’11); Shabeeg, Armenian heritage clothing brand founded by Mary Sukiasyan (MBA ’09); Amy Jewellery, a unique jewelry brand founded by Meri Israelyan (BAB ’20); EventToura, an event management company co-founded by Mary Badalyan (LL.M. ’08); Yell Extreme Park, adventure park in Armenia with Sona Ghevondyan (BSCS ’19, CHHM ’22) as director; Karas Wines, with Inga Ashigova (BAEC ’21) as brand manager; as well as Tovmasyan Foundation, Photo Atelier Marashlyan, Montmartre Restaurant, Dolmama, and Bookinist.

Donations to the fund were acknowledged by numbered raffle tickets to the donors. Twelve winners were drawn at random at the end of the event, receiving gift boxes for their tickets. Anticipation and excitement filled the room as the winners were announced. Those who didn’t win gifts received a special gift from their alma mater, AUA holiday gift cards filled with warm wishes.

Other alumni reunion events will be organized in the coming year and are expected to create new and fun ways to get together and celebrate. Whether at future events or in other ways of giving, AUA alumni will have the chance to donate to the Alumni Endowment Scholarship Fund. The Fund awards students financial aid to study at AUA. You can contribute toward the education of the next generation of leaders by donating to the Alumni Endowment Scholarship Fund accessing this link

Founded in 1991, the American University of Armenia (AUA) is a private, independent university located in Yerevan, Armenia, affiliated with the University of California, and accredited by the WASC Senior College and University Commission in the United States. AUA provides local and international students with Western-style education through top-quality undergraduate and graduate degree and certificate programs, promotes research and innovation, encourages civic engagement and community service, and fosters democratic values.

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Third Round of Student-Alumni Mentorship Program Kicks Off https://newsroom.aua.am/2023/11/08/third-round-student-alumni-mentorship-program-kicks-off/ Wed, 08 Nov 2023 11:18:20 +0000 https://newsroom.aua.am/?p=59347 The program dates back to 2021 and connects experienced alumni with current AUA students with similar career interests and professional goals.

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YEREVAN, Armenia — The American University of Armenia (AUA) Office of Alumni Relations (OAR) relaunched its much-anticipated Student-Alumni Mentorship program for the 2023-24 academic year. This marks the third installment of the program, which dates back to 2021 and connects experienced alumni with current AUA students. So far, 60 mentors and mentees have participated in the program, many of them benefiting not only from an effective mentorship experience, but also by generating lifelong friendships. The interest of AUA alumni around the world to volunteer for the program was impressive. As a result of a careful and meticulous matching process, 48 mentors and mentees were selected from a large pool of applicants. 

On November 1, the third generation of mentors and mentees attended the grand kick-off event of the program through their physical or virtual presence. The AUA Faculty Center buzzed with excitement and anticipation as the participants eagerly waited to find out their match. The welcoming speech was given by Associate Director of Alumni Relations Margarit Hovhannisyan, who emphasized the significance of the program and hoped for the development of effective collaboration between mentors and mentees. Following her introductory remarks, Hovhannisyan invited one of the mentors, Vanane Araktsyan, and mentees, Armen Torossian, of the first generation of the program to share their experiences and advice with this year’s participants. 

OAR organized various games and activities to reveal the names of the mentors and mentees and allow them to find their matches on their own. The revelation process was thrilling and engaging. Those who were outside Armenia and had joined the meeting virtually were likewise engaged in the exciting activities for finding their match. One after another, the participants met their matches and sat down for their first conversations. The sparkling eyes that shone on everyone’s faces after the initial exchange of thoughts indicated the success of the matching efforts. Mentors and mentees were filled with enthusiasm as they found a person who shared similar career interests, professional goals, and desire for fruitful collaboration.

At the end of the event, all participants had the opportunity to network and share their first impressions with each other. The program will last for one academic year and serve as the first step toward fostering long-term relationships between AUA alumni and current students. 

Founded in 1991, the American University of Armenia (AUA) is a private, independent university located in Yerevan, Armenia, affiliated with the University of California, and accredited by the WASC Senior College and University Commission in the United States. AUA provides local and international students with Western-style education through top-quality undergraduate and graduate degree and certificate programs, promotes research and innovation, encourages civic engagement and community service, and fosters democratic values. 

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AUA Class of ‘93 Celebrates 30 Years of Graduation https://newsroom.aua.am/2023/07/17/aua-class-of-93-celebrates-30-years-of-graduation/ Mon, 17 Jul 2023 07:31:19 +0000 https://newsroom.aua.am/?p=56802 AUA's Pioneer Class of ’93 Celebrated 30 Years of Graduation

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YEREVAN, Armenia — This year, the American University of Armenia’s (AUA) pioneer Class of ’93 celebrated the 30th anniversary of its graduation. The first-year alumni, a number of whom traveled to Armenia from various corners of the world, gathered for a week-long celebration organized and coordinated by the class committee.

Kicking off on May 28, the 30th anniversary reunion week featured a series of gatherings and activities held at AUA and across Armenia. The alumni were warmly welcomed on the first day with a reception at the AUA Center. During the ceremony, they participated in watering the tree they had planted in honor of the founders of the University back in 2003 when marking the 10th anniversary of their graduation. Interim President Dr. Armen Der Kiureghian and senior staff members, who have been part of AUA since its inception, personally welcomed the first graduates and shared fond memories from the old days. Through a Zoom call, Dr. Allen and Jane Greenwoods were able to join and congratulate the class virtually. 

Over the following days, the alumni had the opportunity to visit AUA’s new buildings, including the AUA Student Residence and AUA K. George and Carolann S. Najarian MD Building, which officially opened on June 9. They toured the buildings, admiring the great facilities now available to AUA students — a vision that surpassed their dreams from 30 years ago. The visit to their alma mater also included a meeting with the University leadership to discuss updates and future plans. As most of the Class of ‘93 members congregated on campus, they captured a historic photo in front of the AUA Changemakers plaque, proudly displaying their class name as the first to be recognized as AUA Changemakers

To further commemorate their journey, the alumni hosted a panel discussion on “Staying Connected,” highlighting their experiences in maintaining connections with each other, their alma mater, and their homeland — a testament to the power of determination and effort. They shared unique stories and experiences with AUA staff, faculty, and fellow alumni.

The week’s schedule also included a festive dinner-dance celebration at the Megerian Carpet Cultural Complex, where the pioneering class members raised toasts celebrating their accomplishments, expressed gratitude for the excellent education received at AUA, and enjoyed a delightful evening. They were pleasantly surprised by the custom-made alumni T-shirt gifted to them by the AUA Office of Alumni Relations. 

The reunion week also included several excursions, such as the trip to Aregi, a solar energy, and dried fruits production site run by AUA alumnus Armen Gharibian (ME IESM ‘11), and Dilijan, which also featured visits to the Central Bank of Armenia (CBA) Training and Research Center and Dilijan International School (UWC), as well as a hike to Haghartsin Monastery.

Later in the week, the class members gathered at the AUA Faculty Lounge for a welcome reception honoring AUA trustee Paul and his wife, Kate Agbabians. During the event, the attendees reminisced about founding president Dr. Mihran Agbabian and shared stories of memorable times spent with him. They expressed their heartfelt gratitude for the most valuable two years of studies at AUA. 

The reunion week ended with a number of Class of ’93 alumni attending the Alumni Networking Dinner hosted by the Office of Alumni Relations on June 10, coinciding with this year’s graduation day.

Founded in 1991, the American University of Armenia (AUA) is a private, independent university located in Yerevan, Armenia, affiliated with the University of California, and accredited by the WASC Senior College and University Commission in the United States. AUA provides local and international students with Western-style education through top-quality undergraduate and graduate degree and certificate programs, promotes research and innovation, encourages civic engagement and community service, and fosters democratic values.

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Wine & Talk With Henri Arslanian https://newsroom.aua.am/2023/06/26/wine-talk-with-henri-arslanian/ Mon, 26 Jun 2023 11:19:16 +0000 https://newsroom.aua.am/?p=56453 Wine & Talk With Henri Arslanian

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YEREVAN, Armenia — On June 15, the American University of Armenia (AUA) Office of Alumni Relations hosted the second of its new “Wine & Talk” speaker series.

The distinguished guest speaker of this Wine & Talk gathering was Henri Arslanian, the co-founder and managing partner of Nine Blocks Capital Management, a leading crypto specialized hedge fund based in Dubai. Henri, lawyer and banker by background, former PwC Global Crypto Leader, global speaker, advisor to numerous central banks and regulators, best-selling author, and influential authority in social media with over 500,000 LinkedIn followers, took center stage delving into the compelling topic, “The Future of Money: What You Need to Know.”

The AUA Faculty Lounge buzzed with excitement as alumni from different classes gathered to learn more about cryptocurrency, a topic of great interest to many, and to engage with a world-leading expert in the field. The informal setting encouraged attendees to interact freely with the guest speaker and fellow alumni in a positive and cheerful atmosphere. 

Prior to commencing his presentation, Arslanian generously gifted two signed copies of his books, “The Book of Crypto” and “The Future of Finance,” to AUA’s AGBU Papazian Library. He then started his presentation with the history of money, tracing the origins of trading and bartering, followed by the evolution of monetary systems across civilizations. He then discussed key trends like cryptocurrencies, stablecoins, central bank digital currencies, non-fungible tokens, and decentralized finance. With his trademark enthusiasm, he masterfully simplified complex concepts, ensuring maximal grasp by all attendees. Notably, Arslanian proudly acknowledged the involvement of AUA alumni in some crypto businesses he owns, including ACX International, the world’s leading compliance and customer support firm specialized in the crypto space, which has over 90 employees in Yerevan, with around half being AUA alumni.

Complementing the intellectual stimulation created by the talk, the attendees savored a delightful selection of wines generously gifted by Tushpa Wine Cellar, a boutique winery in Ararat Valley, owned and run by the family of AUA alumnus Karlen Manaseryan (MSCIS ’17), who serves as the company’s co-founder and development director.

With its core objective of facilitating meaningful connections, the “Wine & Talk” event series provides a fitting platform for AUA alumni to forge new connections with accomplished professionals across various domains, broadening their horizons and fostering lifelong learning.

Founded in 1991, the American University of Armenia (AUA) is a private, independent university located in Yerevan, Armenia, affiliated with the University of California, and accredited by the WASC Senior College and University Commission in the United States. AUA provides local and international students with Western-style education through top-quality undergraduate and graduate degree and certificate programs, promotes research and innovation, encourages civic engagement and community service, and fosters democratic values. 

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AUA Hosts Alumni Networking Dinner Restoring a Cherished Tradition https://newsroom.aua.am/2023/06/22/aua-hosts-alumni-networking-dinner/ Thu, 22 Jun 2023 11:36:32 +0000 https://newsroom.aua.am/?p=56297 AUA Hosts Alumni Networking Dinner Restoring a Cherished Tradition

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YEREVAN, Armenia — On June 10, the American University of Armenia (AUA) Office of Alumni Relations organized an exceptional alumni networking dinner with members of the AUA Board of Trustees (BOT) and the University Leadership. 

The Alumni dinner was a special occasion and a great chance for alumni to meet fellow graduates and BOT members, share insights into AUA’s role in education and the University’s future, and reminisce about their time at AUA. The BOT members, who could not travel to Armenia over the past three years, were delighted to meet alumni from different years and programs and learn firsthand about their achievements.

The event brought around 90 guests to Charles Terrace, including alumni from different years and programs, BOT members, and the University Leadership. Narek Ghazaryan, chief communications officer, and Margarit Hovhannisyan, associate director of alumni relations, made opening remarks expressing gratification for reviving the cherished tradition of annual alumni dinners that bring together graduates from different years and majors who share the same values and loyalty to their alma mater.

AUA Interim President Dr. Armen Der Kiureghian and Chair of the AUA Board of Trustees Dr. Lawrence Pitts addressed the gathering similarly, highlighting the importance of expanding alumni networks through such events and learning about alumni achievements. 

The event was emceed by AUA alumna Anna Ispiryan (BAEC’ 20), who fittingly acknowledged alumni from different years and programs. Three alumni from the current year, who had their graduation ceremony earlier that day, were presented with alumni t-shirts. It was symbolic that the alumni networking dinner was organized the same day AUA celebrated its 31st Commencement ceremony, adding more than 500 alumni to the existing 6000 alumni body. 

The event quickly transformed into a vibrant networking gathering. Attendees reconnected with old friends, shared memories from their student years, and forged new connections and friendships. The special guest, “Masunq” Dance-Folk group, made the evening even more unforgettable, entertaining the crowd with traditional Armenian dances. The dance floor was filled shoulder to shoulder, and the evening continued with international hits played by the DJ while attendees danced and engaged in friendly conversations.

At the end of the night, attendees shared their heartfelt feedback on the event’s success and expressed a desire for more informal gatherings in the future. 

Founded in 1991, the American University of Armenia (AUA) is a private, independent university located in Yerevan, Armenia, affiliated with the University of California, and accredited by the WASC Senior College and University Commission in the United States. AUA provides local and international students with Western-style education through top-quality undergraduate, graduate, and certificate programs, promotes research and innovation, encourages civic engagement and community service, and fosters democratic values. 

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New Networking Event Series for AUA Alumni Launched https://newsroom.aua.am/2023/05/02/new-networking-event-series-for-aua-alumni-launched/ Tue, 02 May 2023 10:40:10 +0000 https://newsroom.aua.am/?p=55055 The AUA Office of Alumni Relations launched a new series of networking events.

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YEREVAN, Armenia — On April 26, the American University of Armenia (AUA) Office of Alumni Relations launched a new series of networking events called “Wine & Talk with…”

Based on the findings from a recent survey conducted by the Office of Alumni Relations among AUA alumni, most respondents have indicated preference for informal experience-sharing gatherings. Hence, this series is expected to fill that need. 

The inaugural guest speaker of the series was Dr. Martin Galstyan, the governor of the Central Bank of Armenia and adjunct lecturer at AUA’s Manoogian Simone College of Business and Economics. 

Over 40 alumni attended the event and had an exclusive chance to dive into a professional discussion with Dr. Galstyan and fellow alumni. Opening remarks were made by Margarit Hovhannisyan, the associate director of Alumni Relations. In her speech, she emphasized the importance of alumni staying connected to their alma mater. Special thanks were extended to the guest speaker Dr. Galstyan.

Following the informal networking segment of the gathering, the guests were invited to a more formal presentation by Dr. Galstyan on the “Macroeconomic Environment and Monetary Policy.” The presentation soon progressed to a lively discussion, as alumni, including many former students of Dr. Galstyan, raised numerous questions about the topic assessing the current situation in global and local markets. 

The participants also had the chance to enjoy the variety of wines generously gifted by AUA alumnus David Zakaryan (MEIESM ’15), the founder and CEO of Vayk Winery. In an informal and friendly setting, with wine and snacks, the attendees established new connections, asked questions, and discussed topics of interest. In conclusion, all of the attendees noted that the event was a great success and an exclusive opportunity to connect and network. 

The Office of Alumni Relations plans to continue the monthly series by inviting many more outstanding guest speakers. 

Founded in 1991, the American University of Armenia (AUA) is a private, independent university located in Yerevan, Armenia, affiliated with the University of California, and accredited by the WASC Senior College and University Commission in the United States. AUA provides local and international students with Western-style education through top-quality undergraduate, graduate, and certificate programs, promotes research and innovation, encourages civic engagement and community service, and fosters democratic values. 

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MBA Holds 2023 Annual Reunion Event https://newsroom.aua.am/2023/03/15/mba-holds-2023-annual-reunion-event/ Wed, 15 Mar 2023 10:03:07 +0000 https://newsroom.aua.am/?p=54040 This year’s reunion attracted around 100 MBA students, alumni, guests, and faculty.

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YEREVAN, Armenia — On March 4, the American University of Armenia Master of Business Administration (MBA) program held its annual reunion, bringing together current students, faculty, and alumni from different years to celebrate their achievements and strengthen their bonds.

The MBA program has been and remains one of the flagship programs at AUA providing a comprehensive curriculum continuously benchmarked to maintain relevance to current and emerging trends. Graduates of the program pursue careers in consulting, financial services, and IT, many attaining senior leadership positions. 

This year’s reunion attracted around 100 MBA students, alumni, guests, and faculty. The event began with a welcome address by MBA Program Chair Dr. Mane Beglaryan, who emphasized the importance of the Program both in preparing students for leadership positions in Armenia and globally, as well as promoting new entrepreneurial ventures and start-ups through its focused subject matter and content. 

The reunion combined educational, social, and business content, allowing participants to network, get to know MBAs from different years, establish new connections, and strengthen their professional ties. 

The keynote speaker of the reunion Artavazd Minasyan, co-founder of Krisp and 10Web, shared his experience of starting and growing a successful tech company and offered advice to current MBA students on how to navigate the challenges of entrepreneurship.

The central theme of the event was to recognize MBA graduates who have started their own businesses or hold C-suite positions, as well as acclaim current students who have achieved high academic performance serving as role models for their peers and lift their spirits. 

Faculty and alumni who were unable to attend shared messages virtually, emphasizing the value of the Program and its competitive advantage. Many others personally expressed their appreciation of the event looking forward to their continued connection with the AUA community.

“It was a great event and, as usual, it is nice to be back home again. It was a pleasure to have the chance to network with other alumni, as well as current students and faculty,” remarked Karine Sarkissian (MBA ‘93), CEO at Insurance Foundation for Servicemen.

“It was nice to meet and get to know so many talented, successful people under the same roof. Above all, I am always delighted to get a chance to see and chat with my former professors. I enjoyed the event a lot, and once again, I was convinced that AUA continues to open new doors for me,” said Melina Nazarian (MBA ‘14), talent management specialist.

“I am sure this event will grow year after year and the AUA MBA network will grow with it. It is a perfect opportunity to show how much the University nurtures and grows talent. It feels really good to be a part of such an amazing community,” said current student Avetik Sarikyan (MBA ‘25). 

The AUA MBA program is one of the leading business education programs in the region, and the annual reunion event once again showcased the Program’s success in graduating outstanding business leaders. As the Program continues to attract top faculty from around the world, the MBA alumni community is sure to remain a vibrant and influential force in the global business world.

Founded in 1991, the American University of Armenia (AUA) is a private, independent university located in Yerevan, Armenia, affiliated with the University of California, and accredited by the WASC Senior College and University Commission in the United States. AUA provides local and international students with Western-style education through top-quality undergraduate, graduate, and certificate programs, promotes research and innovation, encourages civic engagement and community service, and fosters democratic values. 

MBA Alumni Reunion

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AUA Launches Alumni Lectures Series https://newsroom.aua.am/2023/03/09/aua-launches-alumni-lectures-series/ Thu, 09 Mar 2023 07:54:26 +0000 https://newsroom.aua.am/?p=53946 Alumni Stories aims to foster sustained relationships and professional networks among AUA alumni, students, and faculty.

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YEREVAN, Armenia — On February 23, the American University of Armenia (AUA) General Education Program launched a new lecture series featuring AUA alumna Arpine Haroyan (BAEC ’19) as its inaugural speaker. Beyond the Campus: Alumni Stories aims to foster sustained relationships and professional networks among AUA alumni, students, and faculty, as well as help current students explore opportunities and make post-graduation career or further education plans.

During her talk on “Construction of Gender and ‘New Woman’ in Early Soviet Armenia,” Haroyan juxtaposed findings from original and primary sources and historical analysis to explore the ways in which the Soviet state strived to integrate women socially, politically, and economically into Soviet society. Through meticulous analysis of over 100 short stories and poems from the Hayastani Askhatavoruhi magazine (Female Worker of Armenia) published between 1924 and 1929, she identified four categories of women: the hero woman, the emancipated woman, the victim woman, and the backward woman. She argued that by comparing and contrasting these categories, the magazine constructed the ”New Soviet Woman” and called upon its readers to accept and embrace this new social construct.  In its larger context, Haroyan’s talk illustrated the centrality of gender in the making of the Soviet citizenry. 

The presentation was largely built upon original research Haroyan carried out for her master’s thesis, which she successfully defended at the London School of Economics and Political Science in 2022 as a Chevening scholar, earning an M.Sc. in Gender, Media, and Culture. Haroyan’s research in the early Soviet era extends the historical timeframe and scope of her longstanding research and journalistic interest and experience in archival explorations of lives of remarkable Armenian women familiar to readers of the EVN Report’s From the Forgotten Pages of History series.

Back to Armenia after her graduation from LSE, Haroyan currently works at Paradigma Educational Foundation as a gender and media researcher and at the AUA Acopian Center for the Environment as a junior gender expert. In her presentation, she emphasized the role AUA has played in her advancement as a researcher and a junior scholar. “The education I received at AUA has had a profound impact on my development, and I am forever grateful for the many opportunities that this institution has provided me. AUA has given me not only education, but also a sense of purpose and direction. I would like to thank AUA for this opportunity; as an alumna, it is an honor for me to share my research and experience,” she remarked.

Beyond the Campus: Alumni Stories will be held monthly, and is free and open to the public. 

Founded in 1991, the American University of Armenia (AUA) is a private, independent university located in Yerevan, Armenia, affiliated with the University of California, and accredited by the WASC Senior College and University Commission in the United States. AUA provides local and international students with Western-style education through top-quality undergraduate, graduate, and certificate programs, promotes research and innovation, encourages civic engagement and community service, and fosters democratic values. 

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You Make Us Proud: AUA Celebrates 2022 Alumni Homecoming https://newsroom.aua.am/2022/12/06/aua-celebrates-2022-alumni-homecoming/ Tue, 06 Dec 2022 11:51:49 +0000 https://newsroom.aua.am/?p=51782 AUA celebrated the 2022 Alumni Homecoming under the theme “You Make Us Proud.”

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4 min read

YEREVAN, Armenia — On December 2, the American University of Armenia (AUA) celebrated the 2022 Alumni Homecoming under the theme “You Make Us Proud.”

The traditional annual homecoming event featured a photo exhibit of alumni reunions from previous years displayed at Agbabian Hall on the ground floor of the Main Building of the University for touring upon entering the building. The event was very successful and brought to campus AUA alumni from different graduation classes, their families and friends, as well as current students. There was also significant turnout by AUA faculty and staff. 

This year, the classes of 2017, 2012, 2007, 2002, and 1997 celebrated their fifth, tenth, fifteenth, twentieth, and twenty-fifth anniversaries of graduation, respectively. The celebration in the Large Auditorium started with this year’s hostess, alumna Margaret Ryan Rostamian (BAB ‘17), sharing her unique AUA memories and energizing the audience with her vibrant storytelling. She skillfully kept the audience engaged throughout the rest of the program telling fun stories from her student years. 

Speaking first on the program was AUA President Dr. Karin Markides: “Welcome AUA Alumni! It is a pleasure to see you all here at your alma mater. At the beginning of this year, I had the opportunity to travel to the U.S. and meet our wonderful alumni communities in different cities. During my time as AUA president, I have had the privilege to interact with many of our alumni. One thing has been clear: AUA has changed their lives and has opened up many possibilities for them,” she emphasized, adding, “This is my last year joining you as the president of AUA, and it has been a privilege to serve as the president of this University. I thank you for all the great memories and experiences we have shared. The past few years have been filled with many challenges, but I am proud to have had the opportunity to meet and work with many of you. Staying connected to your alma mater is extremely important. I encourage you to remain connected with AUA. I will continue to be your biggest supporter and ambassador. Though I am not Armenian by blood, I am Armenian in my heart,” remarked Dr. Markides in her heartfelt speech.

The President’s speech was followed by development updates presented by AUA Chief Communications Officer Narek Ghazaryan. He opened with the latest developments on ongoing ASHA/USAID-funded projects, specifically highlighting the Najarian Center for Social Entrepreneurship, Triangle Park, and Media Lab. He also informed the community about some important organizational updates in the department and introduced the new Office of Alumni Relations team with the newly appointed Associate Director Margarit Hovhannisyan and Alumni Relations Coordinator Ani Aleksanyan. Then, he gave an overview of events that have kicked off since January and were successfully implemented. He also shared some alumni statistics and major University additions, including new academic programs and appointments. Another important update was about the “Build a Better Future With AUA” capital campaign for the construction and furnishing of a new Science and Engineering Building.

As an annual tradition, the winner of the 2022 Distinguished Alumnus Award was announced. It had been a tough call to select one among three distinguished alumni, since all three nominees are outstanding professionals who are committed to their alma mater. This year’s award went to Karine Sarkissian (MBA ‘93), chief executive officer of the Insurance Foundation for Servicemen, commonly known as the 1000plus.am organization established to provide compensation for the wellbeing of fallen, missing, or disabled Armenian soldiers and their families. The prior year’s distinguished alumnus Artavazd Minasyan, together with President Markides, handed the award.

An accomplished alumna, Sarkissian has enjoyed a rich career filled with notable milestones and accomplishments, all of which she proudly attributes to her AUA education. Sarkissian has held key leadership positions with reputable companies in both the private and public sectors, including Johnson & Johnson; Coca-Cola; the United Nations; the Austrian Development Agency; and the American Chamber of Commerce in Armenia. Reflecting on the role of AUA back in the 90s when it was founded, Sarkissian said, “AUA was a light at the end of the tunnel in 1991.” Thanking the University founders as well as the organizers of the event, she made an emotional speech, highlighting that she could not have imagined that after 30 years she would earn the distinguished alumna award. “I would like to dedicate this award to our soldiers, since in my current job, I have devoted my efforts to bringing light to the families of our soldiers who have fallen during hard times for our country,” she remarked. 

Following Sarkissian’s heartfelt remarks, two Alumni Endowment Fund Scholarship recipients were invited on the stage: current student Karine Gahramanyan (BAPG ‘25) and alumna Liana Minasyan (BSCS 21). In turn, they shared with the audience how the Alumni Endowment Fund Scholarship has helped transform their lives and why it is important to contribute to this fund. Theaudience then had a chance to make donations on the spot by scanning the QR code on the stage screen. 

At the end of the ceremony, all the classes celebrating their anniversaries this year were invited for a group photo on the stage. The celebration culminated in a special performance by beloved singer Gor Sujyan

Following the formal part of the reunion, everyone gathered at the Bezjian Cafeteria for a festive reception and slicing of the cake. 

You can watch the full recording of the Alumni Homecoming 2022 below. 

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Founded in 1991, the American University of Armenia (AUA) is a private, independent university located in Yerevan, Armenia, affiliated with the University of California, and accredited by the WASC Senior College and University Commission in the United States. AUA provides local and international students with Western-style education through top-quality undergraduate, graduate, and certificate programs, promotes research and innovation, encourages civic engagement and community service, and fosters democratic values. 

Media Coverage:

[Asbarez] AUA Celebrates 2022 Alumni

 

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AUA Office of Alumni Relations Kicks off the Alumni Book Club https://newsroom.aua.am/2022/03/01/aua-office-of-alumni-relations-alumni-book-club/ Tue, 01 Mar 2022 09:28:04 +0000 https://newsroom.aua.am/?p=45468 The club members had two months to read "The Remains of the Day" by Kazuo Ishiguro.

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2 min read

YEREVAN, Armenia — Launched in December 2021 by the American University of Armenia (AUA) Office of Alumni Relations, the AUA alumni book club organized its first book discussion on February 25, 2022. 

“We came up with the idea of starting the alumni book club to create yet another venue for AUA alumni to get in touch with one another and become more connected with their alma mater. As soon as we announced the launch of the AUA alumni book club, we received great interest from our alumni, so we were positive from the very start that the book club was going to be a success,” stated Nazeni Hovakimyan, alumni relations coordinator and organizer of the club.

Since starting the club, the alumni book club members have had a chance to vote for one of the books they suggested, to participate in online group conversations, and to network with one another before the February book discussion meeting. The Remains of the Day by Kazuo Ishiguro, British novelist and Nobel Prize laureate, received the majority of votes in this first round. The club members had two months to read the book. In that process, the Office of Alumni Relations worked closely with the AUA AGBU Papazian Library to provide the club members with access to e-books. 

The book discussion was facilitated by AUA Assistant Professor Dr. Elitza Kotzeva. “It was very kind of the Office of Alumni Relations to invite me to their first alumni book club discussion. The event was well organized, the book choice was excellent, and the discussion was lively,” she noted. “It gave me an opportunity to meet some of our bright graduates who were thrilled to be back on campus. Students from our undergraduate book club also participated, which gave them a chance to meet AUA alumni and share their AUA experiences. I really enjoyed the collaboration with the Alumni Office and was able to witness their great work with our graduates. I want to thank them for the idea and organization of such a wonderful event.” 

The participants in the book discussion shared their insights on the novel, explored the subjects matter and themes, asked questions, and gave viewpoints. Being familiar with the author and his writings, the participants from the AUA student book club also actively contributed to the discussion.  

All interested AUA alumni are welcome to join the AUA alumni book club. Once registered, they will have a chance to suggest and vote for the next book, participate in online discussions, and network with one another before gathering for a face-to-face meeting.

Founded in 1991, the American University of Armenia (AUA) is a private, independent university located in Yerevan, Armenia, affiliated with the University of California, and accredited by the WASC Senior College and University Commission in the United States. AUA provides local and international students with Western-style education through top-quality undergraduate, graduate, and certificate programs, promotes research and innovation, encourages civic engagement and community service, and fosters democratic values.

Nazeni Hovakimyan Alumni book club participants Alumni book club participants Alumni book club participants Ani

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