LOS ANGELES–When the TCA Arshag Dickranian School’s master expansion plan was created–Walter and Laurel Karabian pledged $450,000 to underwrite the costs of the school’s new hall–setting the current $4 million building campaign into motion. In appreciation for their leadership gift–the School Board of Trustees voted to name the hall "Walter and Laurel Karabian Hall."
"In June 2003–construction began and after several months–the subterranean parking garage was completed; construction soon began on the new two-story wing. On March 19–the couple announced their decision to add $100,000 to their initial pledge of $450,000–which they had already fulfilled. They later donated an additional $50,000 during their daughter’s graduation from fifth grade at the Dickranian School.
The Walter and Laurel Karabian Hall–with its lobby–stage–and kitchen facilities–covers the entire ground level of the new two-story structure. Aside from serving the curricular and extracurricular needs of the school–the 500 seat hall will be endowed with all the amenities to accommodate our community’s cultural and social functions.
"Walter Karabian’s community benevolence is extensive and multi-faceted. He received the prestigious St. Gregory the Illuminator Medal–the highest order bestowed on an individual by the Armenian Church–presented by the late Catholicos Karekin I in 1997 in recognition of many years of service.
"The daughter of benefactors Eleanor and the late Arshag Dickranian–Laurel Karabian is also active in numerous Armenian charities–including the Armenian Library and Museum of America. They recently gave the Armenian Library and Museum of America a rare Armenian coin collection from the Artaxiad and Cilician periods.