The Armenian Evangelical College’s Annual Banquet took place at the Pheonicia Hotel’s Ballroom on May 22, 2010, at 9:00 p.m. under the auspices of the Prime Minister Sa’ad Hariri, who was represented by Minister of State Jean Oghassapian.
In attendance were many dignitaries and notables of the Armenian Community. After the National Anthem, the Principal of the College, Dr. Zaven Messerlian welcomed those present. He was followed by the Pastor of the First Armenian Evangelical Church of Beirut, Rev. Hagop Sarkissian, who gave the Prayer. The evening enjoyed the music of Hratch Isahakian and his band, as well as the noted Armenian singer Vicken Tarpinian, accompanied by Patrique Peryeras on the piano, who had especially come from Paris for the event.
The highlight of the evening was the presentation of special awards. The First Armenian Evangelical Church honored with plaques of recognition Dr. Arda Ekmekji and Mrs. Roubina Artinian, respectively former and current chairpersons of the School Board of the Armenian Evangelical College, for their 25 years of dedicated service, as Board members.
Next came a surprise, when Mrs. Roubina Artinian announced that the President of the Republic, Gen. Michel Sleiman, had awarded Dr. Zaven Messerlian, Principal of the College, with the distinguished Medal of Education for his 50 years of service as an educator, 43 years of which as the Principal of the Armenian Evangelical College. Dr. Messerlian is also a historian and the author of five published books and over 100 articles. Minister of State Jean Oghassapian read the Presidential Decree, and bestowed upon Dr. Messerlian the Medal, to the enthusiastic applause of the banquet attendees.
A good number of donations were made by generous donors, to benefit the school’s scholarship fund.
In attendance were many dignitaries and notables of the Armenian Community. After the National Anthem, the Principal of the College, Dr. Zaven Messerlian welcomed those present. He was followed by the Pastor of the First Armenian Evangelical Church of Beirut, Rev. Hagop Sarkissian, who gave the Prayer. The evening enjoyed the music of Hratch Isahakian and his band, as well as the noted Armenian singer Vicken Tarpinian, accompanied by Patrique Peryeras on the piano, who had especially come from Paris for the event.
The highlight of the evening was the presentation of special awards. The First Armenian Evangelical Church honored with plaques of recognition Dr. Arda Ekmekji and Mrs. Roubina Artinian, respectively former and current chairpersons of the School Board of the Armenian Evangelical College, for their 25 years of dedicated service, as Board members.
Next came a surprise, when Mrs. Roubina Artinian announced that the President of the Republic, Gen. Michel Sleiman, had awarded Dr. Zaven Messerlian, Principal of the College, with the distinguished Medal of Education for his 50 years of service as an educator, 43 years of which as the Principal of the Armenian Evangelical College. Dr. Messerlian is also a historian and the author of five published books and over 100 articles. Minister of State Jean Oghassapian read the Presidential Decree, and bestowed upon Dr. Messerlian the Medal, to the enthusiastic applause of the banquet attendees.
A good number of donations were made by generous donors, to benefit the school’s scholarship fund.