2008 Woodie Awards
Campus Commemorates Armenian Genocide
Olga Ramaz
Issue date: 5/4/07 Section: News
In memory of the 1.5 million Armenians who were annihilated by the Turkish government from 1915 through 1923, the Associated Students of Glendale Community College (ASGCC), faculty, staff and students, congregated in Plaza Vaquero for a genocide commemoration ceremony on April 24.
David Arakelyan, student president, talked about the horrors of the Armenian Genocide and the importance of acknowledging such crimes against humanity.
"It is obvious that we cannot do anything to change the mistakes of the past; but what we can do and should do, is remember those mistakes and keep the memory of those who perished, alive," he said. "Only global awareness and condemnation of such terrible crimes can bring about an end to genocides."
Also in attendance were members of the board of trustees, Armine Hacopian, Vahe Peroomian, Tony Tartaglia and Anita Quiñonez-Gabrielian, and Vice President of Instructional Services Dawn Lindsay.
"Every student is much more than a body in a classroom," said Lindsay. "Understanding and respecting different cultures and history is a part of respecting, honoring and celebrating the unique aspect each student brings to GCC."
Arakelyan believes that it is especially relevant to honor the memory of those who perished during the genocide, "given that we have a large Armenian community here at the college."
However, the overall sentiment is that it is necessary to hold events commemorating the Armenian Genocide in order to raise awareness of the current atrocities happening worldwide.
"Recognition of the Armenian Genocide is just one step in raising awareness of a crime that often goes unpunished," said Peroomian. "We need to be heard loud and clear, on behalf of the Armenians, the Jews, the Cambodians, the East Timorese, the Rwandans, the Bosnians and the tribes of Darfur, so that the words 'never again' regain their true meaning."
In his opening statement during the commemoration ceremony, Arakelyan illustrated the inhumane treatment toward the Armenians at the hands of the Turks.
David Arakelyan, student president, talked about the horrors of the Armenian Genocide and the importance of acknowledging such crimes against humanity.
"It is obvious that we cannot do anything to change the mistakes of the past; but what we can do and should do, is remember those mistakes and keep the memory of those who perished, alive," he said. "Only global awareness and condemnation of such terrible crimes can bring about an end to genocides."
Also in attendance were members of the board of trustees, Armine Hacopian, Vahe Peroomian, Tony Tartaglia and Anita Quiñonez-Gabrielian, and Vice President of Instructional Services Dawn Lindsay.
"Every student is much more than a body in a classroom," said Lindsay. "Understanding and respecting different cultures and history is a part of respecting, honoring and celebrating the unique aspect each student brings to GCC."
Arakelyan believes that it is especially relevant to honor the memory of those who perished during the genocide, "given that we have a large Armenian community here at the college."
However, the overall sentiment is that it is necessary to hold events commemorating the Armenian Genocide in order to raise awareness of the current atrocities happening worldwide.
"Recognition of the Armenian Genocide is just one step in raising awareness of a crime that often goes unpunished," said Peroomian. "We need to be heard loud and clear, on behalf of the Armenians, the Jews, the Cambodians, the East Timorese, the Rwandans, the Bosnians and the tribes of Darfur, so that the words 'never again' regain their true meaning."
In his opening statement during the commemoration ceremony, Arakelyan illustrated the inhumane treatment toward the Armenians at the hands of the Turks.
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