Southern California has the largest Armenian diaspora in this country, a population of over a half million by some estimates. The Western Armenian culture and language is distinct from that of their home country, the Republic of Armenia.
“And that culture, because it does not have the oversight of a government, has to be perpetuated by churches, community organizations and, of course, learning centers,” he says. “We want to make sure that Western Armenian culture and language thrive.”
When, in 2015, the couple learned that UCI was launching a campaign to seed its Armenian Studies Program, they picked up the phone to say they were in. Ara Apkarian also joined the Armenian Studies Advisory Committee, which works in concert with the university to help facilitate communication and participation with the Armenian community beyond the campus.