Ambassador visits campus

Ambassador John Evans, left, visits with Dr. Dickran Kouymjian, director of the Armenian Studies Program.

U.S. Ambassador to Armenia John Evans visited Fresno State Feb. 18 to learn about Fresno State’s various programs and exchanges in Armenia and meet faculty and staff who have participated in them.

Evans, who was named ambassador in August 2004, was making a

10-day trip throughout the country to visit Armenian-American communities.

Fresno State’s connection with Armenia goes back more than 20 years and includes:

• Dr. Dickran Kouymjian, director of Armenian Studies Program at Fresno State, served as Fulbright scholar in Armenian in 1987. Fresno State has one of the most active Armenian Studies Programs in the United States.     

• A variety of student/faculty exchanges with Yerevan State University over the years.
• Fresno State will coordinate first summer study program in Armenia in fall 2005 and a full semester study course in spring 2006.
• President John Welty visited Yerevan in May 2004 and signed a memorandum of agreement with both Yerevan State University and Armenian Agricultural Academy to promote further student and scholar exchange, develop cooperative research initiatives and additional teacher training programs.
• Fresno State University just completed 5-year federal grant: “ NIS College and University Partnership Program” – between faculty of business programs at Fresno State and Yerevan State Universities.

• Fresno State was primary university contractor to USDA MAP from 1996-97, providing leadership in curriculum reform at Agricultural Academy, faculty training and creating initial concept for the Agribusiness Teaching Center.

• Fresno State serves as headquarters for the Armenian Agribusiness Education Fund, designed to provide sustainability to agricultural education initiatives currently under way in Armenia. This summer, Fresno State winemaster Ken Fugelsang will travel to Armenia to present viticulture and enology workshops for farmers and educators.
• Fresno State has one of the most active Armenian Studies programs in the United States.