Click for the Photo Gallery

Levon and Sophia Hagopian Armenian College presented its 43rd generation of graduates on Thursday, July 1 in a pompous ceremony. 38 students got their diplomas by successfully completing their studies in the different sections of the college, Life Sciences, Economics and Sociology, and technical classes.
Under the patronage of the Prelate of the Armenian Diocese in Lebanon, Bishop Khegham Khatcherian, and the presence of Archbishop Norayr Ashekian, the mayor of the municipality of Bourj Hammoud, Antranig Messerlian, representatives of national bodies, guests, and a big number of parents, the commencement took place at “Hagop Der Melkonian” theatre at 7:30 p.m.

After listening to the anthems of Lebanon and Armenia, Sako Tavit, a student from the graduating class of the college, made the opening speech. There was a program prepared on this occasion with the theme of evaluating the Armenian woman, her mission, and her dedication throughout the centuries since this year was the year of “The Armenian Woman.” A theatrical performance was presented which introduced ideal women from the past centuries like, goddess Anahid, Queen Ashkhen, Mother Sosse, and others, and it highlighted the Armenian woman as a parent, educator, thinker, defender of the Armenian Church, supporter of the Armenian school and the Armenian language, and a dedicated woman to her country.

The theatrical performance was set and prepared by Mrs. Madlen Vartanian, the Armenian language teacher at the college. The dance teacher, Varoujan Chaparian, and the music teacher, Kayane Margossian, had their share in the performance which was accompanied by music and dances.

On this occasion, a nice surprise was awaiting the writer Shahantoukhd when the theatrical performers honored her by a bunch of flowers classifying her as one of the ideal women in the Armenian history through her writings.

The presence then watched a DVD that presented the activities of the college during the academic year 2009-2010 and which were fruitful and encouraging.

The graduates entered the hall on the anthem of the college. Hera Ashekian presented a recitation. Tsoler Aghjian read the farewell word to the graduates while the graduates Sarine Tahmizian and Nanor Der khatchadourian read their words of farewell in Arabic and Armenian consecutively.

There was also the distribution of awards to the best students in the college. Awards were presented to the ideal male and female students of the year (“Dr. Missak Arzoumanian” award), to the friendly student (“Yeghig Kayayan” award), to the student who has participated the most in national life (“Mher Choulhajian” award), to the student who has the highest grades in languages (“Sarkis and Zarouhi Kazezian” award), to the students with the highest grades in Armenian & Armenian History (Garo Bedrossian Award) and to the student who has talent and love in drawing (“Paylag and Asdghig Panossian award). The municipality of Bourj Hammoud also provided awards to the best students of the graduating classes of the college in the two sections.

The principal delivered his word afterwards. In his word, the principal mentioned the successes and the achievements of the college and thanked all those who had aided in the activities of the administration. The principal said, “We encounter different kinds of crises of which if the most known one is the economical crisis, the most dangerous and the imperceptible one is the awful crisis that the Armenian identity is facing and which is making the Armenian school and its servers face new obligations day after day.” On this occasion, the principal reminded the graduates of the moral values and principles that they had learned during the past six years in the college, and by concluding his word he said that wherever the graduates went and whatever destiny they had, they had a house which was the college itself. They were the moral owners of the college and showing a caring attitude toward the college was their duty.

The Prelate Khegham Khatcherian was invited to the stage by the principal so that he handed the diplomas to the graduates and delivered his word on the occasion. The Prelate started his word by referring to a symptom which is disturbing the Armenian existence by stating, “Out of six couples who are getting married nowadays, four are foreign marriages. What kind of an answer can you give to this symptom?” Then by addressing the presence and the graduates he emphasized the spiritual strength that is transmitted in our national schools. The students of Levon and Sophia Hagopian College, which is constructed in the heart of Bourj Hammoud, are from Bourj Hammoud; humble families live in bourj Hammoud that always highly estimate the education which is given in national schools, and we look at the future by depending on our new generation. The Holy Father said, “You are being separated from this school and from this environment towards new directions and new paths; wherever you are found, you will keep your national identity.” After that, he also addressed his word toward the parents and said, “If out of six married couples, four are foreign marriages, what are you going to answer? Our answer is this generation, our graduates.” The Holy Father’s word was interrupted many times by the warm applauses of the presence. The ceremony ended by the prayer of the Prelate.

The following 38 students graduated from the college:

Life Sciences section
Christ Megerdichian, George Parseghian, Hovig Kendoyan, Koko Ishkhanian, Mardig Simonian, Araks Tanielian, Natalia Aprahamian, Rita Avessian, Salpy Donabedian, Sarine Bazarbashian, Sarine Kavafian, Sarine Tahmizian, and Sosse Kendoyan.

Economics section
Anto Charian, Avo Arzoumanian, Hrag Manjian, Sako Tavit, Shant Vartanian, Peggy Zenjirjian, Sara Mededian, Sarine Khaji, Sophia Tekgelian, Tamar Tashjian, and Vicki Topoushian.

Accounting section
Koko Dishchekenian, Melik Bedrossian, Azadig Chekmeyan, Christal Kalayjian, Elian Paboujian, Hera Ashekian, Maria Hagopian, Meghri Ghazarian, Nanor Der Khatchadourian, Sarine Topeyan, Talar Shmavonian, Taline Missisian, Tamar Majarian, and Carol Jakarian.