InternationalA most unforgettable character: Dr. John Markarian and founding of Haigazian
Published: Thursday August 26, 2010
Dr. John Markarian.
Fresno - "A man has no greater purpose in life than to serve his fellow men." - Jesus Christ
" ...I think that if you have deepened your commitment, found new meaning in your own ethnic heritage, national and political affiliation, and religious faith, and as well you have learned an openness toward appreciation for those who differ, and you are willing and able to confer and negotiate to try to understand and to be understood, then we both have achieved something. We have not failed and something will surely result from your impact in which you now take up your new task."
- Dr. John Markarian, Commencement, June. 1974
Haigazian University is named after the late Dr. Armenag Haigazian, a distinguished educator, who was the President of the Apostolic Institute of Konia (ancient Iconium), in Turkey until the institution was closed by the Turkish authorities in 1920.
Dr. Haigazian along with other Armenian intellectuals was rounded up and sent to die in the prison of Kharpert in 1921.
In later years, Mr. and Mrs. Stephen Mehagian, son-in-law and daughter of Dr. Haigazian whose initial contribution made it possible for buying the "Webb Building" in Beirut, Lebanon in 1955 and thus laying the foundation of Haigazian University.
The Armenian Missionary Association of America (A.M.A.A.) purchased the building from the American Board at a reasonable price through the kindness of the latter.
Lebanon is the only country in the Middle East where an Armenian child can go through a unified progressive school system from kindergarten to university. Unlike the USA, in Lebanon it is up to each religious community to perpetuate itself through the church and church-related schools.
Somehow, being one of the graduates of Haigazian has been a blessing for me and for the countless of graduates from all walks of life, and from backgrounds, nationalities and from many regions of the Middle East who have had this tremendous opportunity for higher education. I have fond memories of the Haigazian "family" and Dr. John Markarian of yesteryears.
I cannot help but associate Dr. Markarian with so many unforgettable episodes, like the daily chapel services, the Friday nights. The Bible study fever, the sing along of Saturday nights, the retreats at Kchag, the Christmas parties, the launching of the first Armenian-Lebanese rocket and the launching of the successful careers of so many of our young men, and women...
No other institution of higher learning has given Armenian communities throughout the Diaspora and the entire Arab Middle East with so many distinguished leaders, teachers, principals, pastors, social workers, and business professionals as has Haigazian University.
Life at Haigazian in the Markarian era was like taking a cruise on the T.V.'s once popular show "The Love Boat." For each and every passenger who made this journey, it was always a happy ending.
How can I forget the first time when I came to Haigazian 51 years ago? My impressions of the place were one of surprise and exhilaration.
There she was, the Old Webb House, a two-storied 10 room building which housed the offices of the President, the secretary, the registrar, the treasurer, the custodian's residence and 3 small classrooms...
But soon I discovered that this "Love Boat" had so much more to offer. We had a dedicated crew and a most outstanding skipper. In those fledgling years President Markarian performed many functions. Going from one end of the Middle East to the next, recruiting students and raising money.
Often times you would see him, the "Captain" of "Good Hope" Haigazian, looking outside of his office window which overlooked the main gate for the arrival of new students. When the students first arrived, Markarian was always ready to rush out and meet them personally, even carrying their baggage with them.
In every way, Markarian was a true Renaissance personality. He was so honestly simple, singularly magnanimous, outspokenly cosmopolitan and outrageously humorous. He knew every student and he enjoyed student talk. To a student with a serious financial difficulty, he was the softest touch on campus. He was sincerely every student's friend and he never missed an opportunity to join them either in private counseling or in group sports.
To all of us he was the terrific guy. We loved him and trusted him to the point of reverence. He was the "Real McCoy."
Yet Markarian was at his best as a teacher. As students we were overwhelmed by his lectures on any subject, specially philosophy, religion and education. Not only he enlightened you but he also entertained you. When lecturing, he started with a few laughs, and then he got serious. He would look at you provocatively and with smiles and he would continue to talk and pour his knowledge with power. He would gesticulate and in a cool musical tempo, he would move you too. At the end you knew it was all worth it.
Markarian had a finely tuned sense of values. He had patience, enthusiasm, and the magic gift of making the learner want to reach beyond oneself to new insights and new awareness.
Haigazian graduates are forever grateful to this great man. After Jesus, the person who has done more to the cause of the Christian faith has been Saint Paul. Paul roughed out the Christian doctrine, organized churches, and evangelized in a marvel of energy.
Perhaps in a similar way though more humbly, Dr. Markarian has to his credit marvels of energy in building up American-Armenian-Lebanese higher education and educating a multitude of teachers and community leaders during his rewarding years of his stewardship.
Thank you Dr. Markarian! Truly, you transmitted your unique style and intellectual and emotional atmosphere. You showed us how not to compromise with the mediocre and limited ethnic, religious and political affiliations, and how to rise above them and to care for the larger world.
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