Dickran Kouymjian
Date & Place of Birth
06-Jun-1934 Romania
Biography
Introduction
Dr. Dickran Kouymjian, an eminent Armenian-American historian, numismatist, and professor, has significantly contributed to Armenian Studies. Born in Romania on June 6, 1934, to Armenian-American parents, Dr. Kouymjian's illustrious career spans academia, research, and numismatics, making him a pivotal figure in his field.
Early Life and Education
Dickran Kouymjian grew up in Chicago and Racine, Wisconsin. He earned his B.A. in European History from the University of Wisconsin, Madison, followed by an M.A. in Arab Studies from the American University of Beirut. In 1969, he became the first person to earn a Ph.D. in Armenian Studies from Columbia University's Department of Near & Middle Eastern Languages and Literatures.
Career and Contributions
Dr. Kouymjian's academic career began at the American University of Beirut, where he taught in the Humanities Program. His journey continued at Columbia University and later at the American University in Cairo, where he served as Assistant Professor of Islamic History and Assistant Director of the Center for Arabic Studies.
In 1977, he was invited to California State University, Fresno, to establish the Armenian Studies Program. There, he reorganized the Armenian Students Organization and founded the Armenian student newspaper, Hye Sharzhoom. He also established the Center for Armenian Studies in 1985 and became the first Haig & Isabel Berberian Endowed Chair of Armenian Studies in 1988.
Dr. Kouymjian's teaching career also included stints at Haigazian College in Beirut, the American University in Paris, Yerevan State University in Armenia, and the University of California, Berkeley, as the William Saroyan Visiting Professor of Armenian Studies.
Key Publications and Works
Dr. Kouymjian has published over a dozen books and more than 300 academic articles. His notable works include "The Arts of Armenia" (1992), "Chinese Elements in Armenian Miniature Painting in the Mongol Period" (1986), and "The Iconography of Armenian Pentecost" (1979). He has presented scholarly papers at over 80 national and international conferences and organized significant conferences on Armenian history and culture.
Influence and Legacy
Dr. Kouymjian's influence extends beyond his publications and teaching. He is a Fellow of the American Numismatic Society and has served as president of the Society for Armenian Studies four times. His efforts in establishing exchange programs, such as the one between Yerevan State and Fresno State, have fostered international academic collaboration.
He has been honored with numerous awards, including the St. Sahag and St. Mesrob Medal from Catholicos Karekin I and the Provost's Award for Excellence in Research at California State University, Fresno. In 1999, he was named "Man of the Year" by the Armenian National Committee Central Valley.
References and Further Reading
"Dr. Dickran Kouymjian's biography," Armenian Studies: Cal State University Fresno.
Bulbulian, Berge. "The Fresno Armenians: History of a Diaspora Community," Press at California State University, Fresno, 2000.
"New Book Celebrates Dickran Kouymjian Career," Asbarez, May 9, 2008.
Dr. Dickran Kouymjian, an eminent Armenian-American historian, numismatist, and professor, has significantly contributed to Armenian Studies. Born in Romania on June 6, 1934, to Armenian-American parents, Dr. Kouymjian's illustrious career spans academia, research, and numismatics, making him a pivotal figure in his field.
Early Life and Education
Dickran Kouymjian grew up in Chicago and Racine, Wisconsin. He earned his B.A. in European History from the University of Wisconsin, Madison, followed by an M.A. in Arab Studies from the American University of Beirut. In 1969, he became the first person to earn a Ph.D. in Armenian Studies from Columbia University's Department of Near & Middle Eastern Languages and Literatures.
Career and Contributions
Dr. Kouymjian's academic career began at the American University of Beirut, where he taught in the Humanities Program. His journey continued at Columbia University and later at the American University in Cairo, where he served as Assistant Professor of Islamic History and Assistant Director of the Center for Arabic Studies.
In 1977, he was invited to California State University, Fresno, to establish the Armenian Studies Program. There, he reorganized the Armenian Students Organization and founded the Armenian student newspaper, Hye Sharzhoom. He also established the Center for Armenian Studies in 1985 and became the first Haig & Isabel Berberian Endowed Chair of Armenian Studies in 1988.
Dr. Kouymjian's teaching career also included stints at Haigazian College in Beirut, the American University in Paris, Yerevan State University in Armenia, and the University of California, Berkeley, as the William Saroyan Visiting Professor of Armenian Studies.
Key Publications and Works
Dr. Kouymjian has published over a dozen books and more than 300 academic articles. His notable works include "The Arts of Armenia" (1992), "Chinese Elements in Armenian Miniature Painting in the Mongol Period" (1986), and "The Iconography of Armenian Pentecost" (1979). He has presented scholarly papers at over 80 national and international conferences and organized significant conferences on Armenian history and culture.
Influence and Legacy
Dr. Kouymjian's influence extends beyond his publications and teaching. He is a Fellow of the American Numismatic Society and has served as president of the Society for Armenian Studies four times. His efforts in establishing exchange programs, such as the one between Yerevan State and Fresno State, have fostered international academic collaboration.
He has been honored with numerous awards, including the St. Sahag and St. Mesrob Medal from Catholicos Karekin I and the Provost's Award for Excellence in Research at California State University, Fresno. In 1999, he was named "Man of the Year" by the Armenian National Committee Central Valley.
References and Further Reading
"Dr. Dickran Kouymjian's biography," Armenian Studies: Cal State University Fresno.
Bulbulian, Berge. "The Fresno Armenians: History of a Diaspora Community," Press at California State University, Fresno, 2000.
"New Book Celebrates Dickran Kouymjian Career," Asbarez, May 9, 2008.
Files
Collection
Citation
“Dickran Kouymjian,” Armenian Numismatic Research Organization, accessed October 17, 2024, https://armnumres.org/items/show/1702.