YEREVAN—The American University of Armenia on February 7 hosted the unveiling ceremony of the newly named Hagop and Iroula Manuelian Auditorium. The event was attended by the AUA Executive team, college deans, program chairs, faculty, staff, and students. The ceremony not only celebrated the naming of the auditorium but also honored the generosity of the Manuelian family, ardent supporters of AUA.
The event also presented an opportunity for the “Hagop and Iroula Manuelian Scholarship” recipients, Tigranuhi Simonyan (BAB ’28) and Kristine Grigoryan (BAPG ’27), to witness the generosity of their donors and express their gratitude.
Simonyan joined AUA President Dr. Bruce Boghosian in unveiling the plaque. “We are honored to name this auditorium after the Manuelians, who have been dedicated supporters of AUA through our Scholarship Program, as well as the “Build a Better Future With AUA” campaign. This auditorium serves as a space of inspiration, collaboration, and learning. By naming it in honor of the Manuelians, we ensure that their legacy continues to inspire all who walk through these doors,” Dr. Boghosian remarked in his speech.
Simonyan is a freshman majoring in business. The opportunity to gain quality education without financial constraints has been life-altering, providing her with the chance of a brighter future. “It’s an honor for me to be able to express my appreciation to Mr. and Mrs. Manuelian. Their investment in my education has made a big difference in my life. I would also like to thank them for naming this auditorium and contributing to further advancement of AUA,” she added.
Hagop Manuelian was born in Beirut in 1938. After graduating from a school set up by missionaries, he was admitted to the American University of Beirut (AUB), which is where he met his wife Iroula, a Greek Cypriot born in Lebanon. Upon enrolling at the university, he sought help in order to reduce his parents’ financial burden of paying tuition, applying to the Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation in Lisbon. He was able to successfully receive support from the foundation throughout his academic career, until he graduated from the AUB Bechtel School of Engineering as a civil engineer.
The generosity of the scholarship support Manuelian himself had received inspired him and his wife to give back to students currently studying at AUA. “My childhood emotional and sentimental attachment to the motherland has not waned over the years,” he asserted. “Quite the contrary, Iroula and I have visited Armenia twice already.” He shared how their first visit was during a dim time, just after the Spitak earthquake, while the second was during a more joyful time, in 2014, when they had the opportunity to participate in AUA’s commencement ceremony.
“The second visit was very uplifting, as we were able to witness the immense progress that Armenia had made since our earlier visit,” he shared, also noting the advancement AUA has achieved in the three decades since.
Commenting on what inspired them to name an auditorium at AUA, Manuelian said, “Investing in education yields huge dividends,” continuing to impart a bit of advice to students: A successful life depends on grabbing the opportunities that come your way and making the most of them.”
Manuelian and Iroula are now settled in the Bay Area in California, United States, and both attribute the success of their respective careers to the education they received. Together, they are parents to a daughter who is a graduate of UC Berkeley and a son who is a graduate of the University of Santa Clara. They are also proud of their three grandchildren, who have achieved significant milestones in their high school and undergraduate studies.
The naming ceremony concluded with a reception at the widely used Manuelian Auditorium which will continue to serve as a space for interactive lectures and discussions. The Manuelian family’s legacy will leave a lasting impact on future generations of AUA students throughout their academic journey.
Founded in 1991, the American University of Armenia is a private, independent university located in Yerevan, Armenia, affiliated with the University of California, and accredited by the WASC Senior College and University Commission in the United States. AUA provides local and international students with Western-style education through top-quality undergraduate and graduate degree and certificate programs, promotes research and innovation, encourages civic engagement and community service, and fosters democratic values.
