APSIH's 11th Annual Graduation Event
The 11th Annual Graduation Ceremony to honor and recognize graduating students from various institutions with high scholastic achievement was held at the UCLA Ackerman Grand Ballroom on May 4, 2008, Los Angeles, California.
More than 500 invited graduating students, guests and family members attended the event. Dr. Shadi Ganjavi served as the MC. After a welcoming address by the APSIH president and the introduction of APSIH Board members, the honorees for the event were introduced.
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| Simin Behbahani |
Dr. Ehsan Yarshater |
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| Dr. Richard Nelson Frye |
Dr. George V. Chilingar |
| Picture Courtsey of Parstimes.com |
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In the category of senior researchers, Dr. Richard Frye, Dr. Ehsan Yarshater and Simin Behbahani were presented with certificates of Honor and Dr. George Chilingar received the Distinguished Lifetime faculty award for 55 years of academic service.
Dr. Frye who also served as the keynote speaker reminded the graduates that they should be proud of their Persian Heritage. Dr. Ehsan Yarshater was introduced as a scientist with a long history of service to Iranian academic institutions who had most contributed to the development and preservation of the Encyclopedia Iranica.
In his acceptance speech, he encouraged the graduates to pursue the preservation of their cultural heritage and emphasized the work needed to continue the development of the Iranica. In addition to the certificates from APSIH, Dr. Frye and Dr.
Yarshater also received commendations from the City of Los Angeles as presented by Mr. Pouria Abbasi, the Executive Director of the Los Angeles Convention Center.
Simin Behbahani, the great Iranian Poet could not attend the event but, from a taped Interview, the audience heard her reading a poetry that she had prepared for the graduates. She also presented a message inviting the graduates not to forget Iran. Dr. Chilingar talked about his praise of Iranian students and his personal efforts to assist them in various ways since he joined the faculty at USC.
As a part of the ceremony, the sponsors of APSIH awards and scholarship were introduced. The list can be seen at the following link. The audience enjoyed two music performances by graduating students. For the list of the graduates and the award recipients please visit the following links.
Mr. Pooria Abasi, then on behalf of the Los Angeles Mayer, Antonio Villaraigosa , presented APSIH with a plaque of commendation for APSIH's role in promoting excellence in education.
After emphasizing the importance of APSIH's friends and supporters, the
president recognized all APSIH members who voluntarily helped in the organization of the event. In particular Mr. Hossein Hedjazi and Mr. Afshin
Sedaghat Nejad were thanked and presented with the 2008 certificates of appreciation for their generous support of APSIH activities.
The ceremony ended with some closing remarks by APSIH president to the
graduates. He encouraged the graduates to take responsible positions in
their professional lives and bring benefit and honor to the Iranian Community with their scientific and human relations services.
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