ANN ARBOR, MICH., Sept. 26, 2011–The Armenian Studies Program (ASP) will host a weekend of public events to mark the 30th anniversary of the establishment of the Alex Manoogian Chair in Modern Armenian History and the founding of the Armenian Studies Program at U-M.

The celebration will begin Thursday with a special reception for major donors, program supporters and administrators to celebrate with ASP faculty and students.

The free public events will begin on Friday with an exclusive exhibit of Armenian studies related holdings at U-M Libraries, including significant holdings from the Armenian Research Center at the university's Dearborn campus.

Following the exhibit will be the conclusion of program's fall film festival with two films, highlighted by a lecture on the history of Armenian films by Visiting Scholar Artsvi Bakhchinyan. On Saturday, ASP with host a symposium on "Armenia in World History/The World in Armenian History." Complete details of the public events can be found at www.ii.umich.edu/asp/30thanniversarycelebration_ci.

Based in the Department of History, the Alex Manoogian Chair at U-M is one of the first endowed chairs established in the social sciences division of U-M, the fourth Armenian studies endowed chair in the United States and the first chair to be designated for the study of the modern period in Armenian history.

The second endowed Armenian studies chair at the university, the Marie Manoogian chair in Armenian Language and Literature, was established in 1987. The Armenian Studies Program was founded 1981, although language courses had started in 1974.

Parallel to these events, from Friday through Sunday ASP will convene the second meeting of the Workshop on the State of Armenian Studies, a unique project supported by the Harry Ardashes Paul Fund endowed by the Paul family at U-M. For a detailed schedule go to www.ii.umich.edu/asp.

Armenian Studies Program
The University of Michigan’s Armenian Studies Program promotes the study of Armenian history, culture, and society. A member of the University of Michigan International Institute, the program organizes educational opportunities for students, faculty and the community. For more information, contact the Armenian Studies Program at (734) 763-0622 or visit www.ii.umich.edu/asp.

University of Michigan International Institute
The University of Michigan International Institute houses 18 centers and programs focused on world regions and global themes. The institute develops and supports international teaching, research, and public affairs programs to promote global understanding across the campus and to build connections with intellectuals and institutions worldwide. For more information, visit www.ii.umich.edu.

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See it in the University Record.