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Հայերեն (Armenian)
YEREVAN, Armenia — On June 6, the American University of Armenia (AUA) celebrated its 34th commencement ceremony, sending off the Class of 2026. Held in the University’s Large Auditorium, the festive event brought together more than 600 graduate, undergraduate, and certificate students, marking a proud and memorable milestone for the largest graduating class in AUA’s history.
Distinguished guests included AUA President Emeritus and co-founder Dr. Armen Der Kiureghian, Chair of the AUA Board of Trustees, Honorary Doctor of Humane Letters Zaven P. Akian, Vice Chair Dr. Barbara A. Sawrey, and University trustees. The celebration was also attended by family and friends of graduates, as well as AUA supporters and community members.
This year’s commencement held historical significance as AUA marks its 35th anniversary, celebrating three and a half decades of academic excellence, innovation, and service to society.
“With AUA celebrating the 35th anniversary year of its founding, it is an opportune moment to reflect on the tremendous strides we have made since the University’s first years during newly-independent Armenia in 1991,” AUA President Dr. Bruce Boghosian said in his opening remarks. “We believe that AUA is, in many ways, the largest and most successful investment that the Armenian diaspora has made in Armenia since independence.”
Turning to the graduating class, Dr. Boghosian said: “We trust you will lead with integrity, act with empathy, and never lose your curiosity. We are confident that you will become stellar ambassadors of AUA, upholding the humanistic values instilled in you through AUA’s liberal arts education and preserving the inimitable human element in all your future professional endeavors.”
Board Chair Akian also underscored the responsibility carrying an AUA degree entails. “You carry values that matter deeply to this country: integrity, excellence, and a commitment to serve the public good,” he said. “AUA was founded on the belief that education is one of the most enduring investments a nation can make in its future. Each of you represents that investment realized. Your knowledge, leadership, and sense of civic responsibility will help shape the Armenia that comes next.”
Following Akian’s remarks, Vice Chair Dr. Sawrey took the podium to deliver a traditional greeting on behalf of the University of California.
This year’s keynote speakers were Dr. Lawrence S. Bacow, former president of Harvard University and Tufts University, and Garo Paylan, a visiting scholar at Carnegie Endowment for International Peace and former member of the Turkish Parliament.
In his address, Dr. Bacow offered valuable advice to the graduates, urging them to look for lifelong wisdom. “You have been educated at a great university. Do not make the mistake of thinking that your education is complete, or that the most important things you will learn in your life will come from people who share your background and your assumptions. While you may be graduating today, you are just commencing the rest of your education. It is why we call it commencement and not graduation. Those who hold college degrees do not have a monopoly on wisdom. You will find great teachers everywhere if you only look for them,” he said. “The world is waiting for you. Go do great things,” he concluded.
In his address, Paylan encouraged graduates to pursue not only personal success as professionals but also a collective dream centered on strengthening Armenia. “Never underestimate what your generation can accomplish. The future is yours,” he emphasized.
Keynote speeches were followed by valedictory addresses, in Armenian and English, delivered by undergraduates Suzan Sabonjian (BAPG ’26) and Arina Melikyan (BAB ’26), and graduates Hasmik Davtyan (CTr ’26) and Milena Mkoyan (MAIRD ’26), respectively. A special student address was delivered by Levon Nazarian (LL.M. ’26).
As always, the ceremony featured the presentation of several awards. The 2026 AUA Presidential Commendation was bestowed upon Zaven P. Akian for his extraordinary contributions and philanthropy, including his impact on the college that bears his name, the Zaven P. and Sonia Akian College of Science and Engineering. The award is inscribed on unique paper handmade from flowers gathered at the Tsitsernakaberd Armenian Genocide Memorial.
The Vartkess M. Balian Merit Award, which recognizes top overall academic performance, went to Edhar Aslanian, a Master of Public Health student in the Gerald and Patricia Turpanjian College of Health Sciences (TCHS).
Teaching Excellence Awards were presented to Anna Gevorgyan, an adjunct lecturer in the College of Humanities and Social Sciences, and Vicky Herkelian, a lecturer in TCHS. Additionally, Faculty Research Accomplishment Awards were granted to Dr. Anya Agopian, an associate professor in TCHS, and Dr. Hayk Kamalyan, an assistant professor at the Manoogian Simone College of Business and Economics and program chair of the Bachelor of Science in Economics.
The commencement ceremony culminated with the conferrals of certificates and degrees to the undergraduate and graduate classes of 2026 by the respective program chairs and college deans, followed by the traditional tossing of caps.
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 (WSCUC) 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.
