St. Mary Armenian Church and the Knights and Daughters of Vartan honored distinguished Armenian scholar Dr. Houri Berberian, Chair of Armenian Studies at the University of California, Irvine (UCI) on January 18, 2017.

The Very Rev. Fr. Pakrad Dz. V. Berjekian, Vicar General, attended the event and conveyed the Primate's congratulatory wishes to Dr. Berberian on her appointment as well as to Drs. Vahe and Armine Meghrouni for their generous donation and invaluable role in establishing the Meghrouni Family Presidential Chair in Armenian Studies at UCI.

Early in 2016, a fully endowed Chair for Armenian studies was established at UCI with a very generous donation from Drs. Vahe and Armine Meghrouni, and many community organizations and individuals. With this action, UCI joined a very small group of elite universities including Havard University (the first such Chair) and the University of Michigan. The establishment of a learning and research center at UCI for Armenian Studies, within a few miles of St. Mary Armenian Church will be a great benefit to the community.

UCI estmates that around 300 students of Armenian descent are enrolled at UCI and that about 100 are membes of the university's Armenian Students Association. The Chair for Armenian Studies will offer the students a broadened exposure to the Armenian languate and culture. Dr. Berberian, formerly affiliated with California State University Long Beach, joined UCI in the Fall of 2016 and was formally installed as the Chair at a ceremony on December 8, 2016.