AUA Raises Over $2 Million at Inaugural Gala in New York City

NEW YORK CITY, New York — On October 25, the American University of Armenia (AUA) hosted the “Reporting Live from NYC!” gala celebrating AUA’s growing role in shaping Armenia’s future media leaders through its newly launched Master of Arts in Multiplatform Journalism (MAMJ) program. The evening raised over $2 million, which will continue to support the University’s expansion, in addition to empowering students enrolled in the MAMJ program through AUA’s Voice of a New Generation: Transforming Armenia’s Media Landscape with AUA scholarship campaign.

Held at the Yale Club of New York City, the event brought together AUA supporters, alumni, and guests to celebrate journalism, education, and philanthropy. The evening’s program featured alumni stories, remarks from University leadership, and a keynote.

The evening opened with welcoming remarks from event committee co-chairs and AUA Trustees Arda Nazerian Haratunian and Lusine Poghosyan, who greeted the guests and acknowledged the AUA Board of Trustees, sponsors and donors, event committee, and AUA Development Team for making the event possible.

Throughout the evening, four AUA alumni shared their journeys and reflections on how the University has shaped their professional and personal growth.

Nina Shahverdyan (BAEC ’21) reflected on her journey from Artsakh to Columbia University, underscoring the transformative impact of AUA’s community: “I am forever grateful for your generosity and commitment to students like me. Your support gives us the chance to pursue our dreams, reach our fullest potential, and ultimately, give back to our homeland.”

In his remarks, AUA President Dr. Bruce Boghosian celebrated the success of the Voice of a New Generation campaign and the launch of the MAMJ program. “The future belongs to those who ask hard questions, seek honest answers, and master storytelling,” he said. “Together, we are giving voice to a new generation of media professionals in Armenia.”

 

AUA alumna Anahit Melkonyan (BAB ’23), now a J.D. student at Harvard Law School, delivered an inspiring speech reflecting on the lessons and relationships that shaped her journey. She shared stories of mentorship, courage, and hope that defined her AUA experience, concluding with a message of thanks: “I am grateful to AUA for the education it provided, the resilience it taught, and the attitude it instilled. And I am grateful to you for believing in us, our potential, and the promise of our future.”

Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Stephen Kurkjian then took to the podium for his keynote address, in which he emphasized the critical role that news outlets play in keeping the population informed and influencing public opinion and welcomed the launch of the MAMJ program: “This is an investment in Armenian students. With it, they will learn the most recent advances in media technology, artificial intelligence, and digital programming, enabling them to bring news to the widest audience possible.”

Sharing her journey, Elina Harutyunyan (BAB ’17) described how the community and academic rigor at AUA gave her the confidence to excel beyond borders. She credited her professors and peers for nurturing a spirit of curiosity and collaboration that continues to shape her career. “AUA remains the foundation of my journey,” she said. “I am grateful to the generous donors whose belief in AUA makes it possible for students like me to receive an education that truly changes lives.”

Special appreciation was extended to Aregi LLC for providing the beautifully crafted tokens of gratitude presented to guests.

In her closing remarks, Gaiane Khachatrian, vice president of development at AUA, expressed appreciation for the community’s continued support. “Your presence here tonight is a powerful statement that you believe in Armenia’s future, that you believe in education, and that you believe in the next generation that is advancing our homeland,” she shared.

Zaven P. Akian, chair of the AUA Board of Trustees, concluded the evening by reaffirming the Board’s commitment to advancing the University’s mission: “As I begin my role as Chair of the Board of Trustees, I am inspired by what we have already accomplished together, and even more by what lies ahead. At AUA, we believe that education is the most powerful investment we can make in Armenia’s future, and that learning doesn’t stop at graduation — it’s a lifelong journey.”

 

The Voice of a New Generation: Transforming Armenia’s Media Landscape with AUA campaign empowers aspiring Armenian journalists through scholarships, modernized curricula, and professional training opportunities. As part of this effort, the campaign seeks to establish a $2 million endowed scholarship fund to support students enrolled in the Master of Arts in Multiplatform Journalism (MAMJ) program at AUA. In the short term, the goal is to cultivate a strong cohort of AUA-trained journalists who will lead media organizations across Armenia, foster greater public trust in journalism, and expand collaboration with regional and international media outlets. Over time, AUA’s efforts will help build a more robust and sustainable media ecosystem, one that serves as a cornerstone of democracy, innovation, and resilience in Armenia. Learn more at https://philanthropy.aua.am/campaigns/voice-new-generation.

Developed in close partnership with the U.S. Embassy in Yerevan and Washington State University’s Edward R. Murrow College of Communication, the program has been officially accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC) and licensed by Armenia’s Ministry of Education, Science, Culture, and Sports. With support from the U.S. Embassy, this initiative advances higher education and media development in Armenia.