On Thursday night, April 24, 2014 Mary Apick, international award winning actress and human rights activist, hosted a very unique, important and deeply moving event at her home in Beverly Hills: Unforgettable, An Evening to Remember Those Lost in the Genocides of the 20th Century.”
In this special candlelight event, celebrities such as Esai Morales, Ken Davitian, Congressional candidate Lili Gilani and other politicians, and world famous entertainers Andy and Shani, along with people from all parts of Los Angeles, gathered for a night of remembrance.
The event was sponsored by Torrey Pines Bank, Michael Delijani, Mary Apick, The Memorah Foundation, and the Armenian Film Foundation. It gave all those in attendance an opportunity to remember and honor the 1.5 million men, women and children lost in the Armenian Genocide, the millions lost in the Holocaust, and the countless others lost in genocides in Cambodia, Rwanda, and elsewhere.
After dinner was served, Mary Apick spoke about the Armenian Genocide and the prevention of genocide everywhere.
Gerald Papazian, Chairman of the Armenian Film Foundation, spoke about the Shoah Foundation and the great work being done to preserve and make available to the widest possible audience the filmed histories of the survivors of the Armenian Genocide.
Dr. Ari Babaknia, the award winning author of Humanity Not, spoke about the Holocaust and his attempt to overcome the pattern of denial common in Iran and other parts of the world.
Phany Laguerre gave a terrifying account of her own escape from the Cambodian killing fields, losing many of her relatives in the process.
Edith Umugiraneza told of losing everyone in her family before, miraculously, escaping the Rwandan Genocide.
After a stirring performance of “Imagine” by Saeed Mohamadi, there was a candlelight moment to remember the fallen and acknowledge the survivors
Other musical performers included Celina Molina who performed The Star-Spangled Banner,and Manik Manukyan who sang Der Voghormia (God Have Mercy).
The Musical Director for the evening was Homayoun Khosravi. His cello music accompanied the short films that were shown about the Armenian Genocide, the Holocaust, and the genocides in Cambodia and Rwanda.
The Master of Ceremonies was Gregory Zarian.
Azita Shirazi presided over an auction of artwork donated by Dr. Ari Babaknia.
All funds raised by the event is going to the nonprofit The Memorah Foundation and the Armenian Film Foundation, as well as provide grants for students.
By: Dr. Reza Fadaei-San Diego Editor
I recently had the opportunity to interview Dr. Michael Cunningham, new Chancellor and President of National University. As a result of that interview, I was able to develop many notable facts about Dr. Cunningham’s experience and background.
Dr. Michael Cunningham became Chancellor of the National University System effective October 10, 2013. He originally joined the National University System on July 1, 2013 as its fourth president of the System’s flagship institution, National University.
He came to National University from San Diego State University, where he had been serving as Dean of the College of Business Administration. As president of National University, Dr. Cunningham leads the University’s commitment to providing a world-class education for its 30,000 students working toward one of National’s 133 graduate or undergraduate degrees, or one of its 23 credential programs. Classes can be taken online or at one of the University’s 27 Campuses throughout California.
Here are some of the questions I asked Dr. Cunningham, and his answers are as follows:
What was your key success in arriving at National University?
The great improvement in the quality of education.
What was your position before getting this job initially as president of National University?
I entered the education industry after a highly successful business career that included 25 years as an entrepreneur and successful business leader. I was Dean at San Diego State University. Additional experience in business include positions as Chairman, Chief Executive officer, and president of DG3- Diversified Global Graphics Group, headquartered in Jersey City, New Jersey; and Group President and Corporate Vice President of Automatic Data Processing in Jersey City.
Where did you study for your doctorate degree?
I earned my Ph.D. and master’s degree from New York University, and bachelor’s degree in business administration from the University of Massachusetts, Amherst.
Thank you Dr. Cunningham. On behalf of Javanan International Weekly Magazine, I would like to express our best wishes to you and your family.