The Friends of UCLA Armenian Language and Culture Studies will hold its second Annual Banquet on March 14 at the Brandview Collection to honor Dr. J. Michael Hagopian–President of the Armenian Film Foundation. On this occasion–the Friends will pay tribute to his lifetime achievement in documentary film–a significant component of which has been the documentation of the Armenian Genocide. Hagopian has long history with UCLA; one of the major enterprises in which Hagopian was involved was the establishment of the Armenian Chair at the University in1969–later to be called the Narekatsi Chair in Armenian Studies. On this gala occasion–Dr. Hagopian will be the recipient of the Friends’ Narekatsi Medal for his outstanding contribution to Armenian history and culture.
The honoree will be introduced by his friend of many years–Mr. William H. Tankersley–former Senior Vice President and Director of Program Operations for CBS. After leaving CBS–William Tankersley–now of Washington DC–served as President and CEO of the Council of Better Bureaus–a Fortune 500-sponsored national organization to encourage business and deal with problems of consumerism and self regulation.
In addition to Tankersley–film producer Dr. Carla Garapedian of London–a former BBC anchor–will introduce a short film of Dr. Hagopian’s life and achievemen’s to be narrated by Barbara Gilmore–long-time secretary of the Armenian Film Foundation. The program will also feature excerpts from Hagopian’s films on Armenian subjects and an exhibition of enlargemen’s of stills from some of his films on other subjects. Further details of the program will be announced next week.
The Friends is a university-approved support group–which promotes Armenian studies in language–literature–and culture–in conjunction with the Narekatsi Chair.
The banquet will begin with a reception at 6:00 pm–followed by dinner and program at 7:00. Parouir Akopian will officiate as president of the Friends. Rita Mahdessian–Esq. and Dr. Zareh Vartivarian are co-chairs of the event. For further information please call (818) 242-7400 or (818) 552-2611.