YEREVAN, Armenia — In a gesture that is sure to inspire the American University of Armenia (AUA) community for generations to come, AUA supporter Levon Der Bedrossian has named a classroom on campus in honor of Armenia’s tallest peak: the Aragats Classroom.
Der Bedrossian was born in Beirut, Lebanon in 1947. His parents and grandparents were originally from Aintab and Beylan, respectively. Growing up, he attended the Rubinyan elementary school, then continued at the Nshan Palandjian Armenian college, from which he graduated in 1966 with a baccalaureate degree before emigrating to the United States.
In 1968, Der Bedrossian began taking courses at the College of San Mateo and, in 1971, enrolled at California State University, Chico, from which he received his bachelor’s degree in cultural anthropology with a minor in arts. He also briefly explored a graduate program at the University of California, Berkeley, where he took several courses in folklore, before deciding to pivot to other ventures in life.
Given the experience he accrued in the restaurant industry during his time as a student, Der Bedrossian decided to pursue a career in this industry. IIn 1979, he opened La Mediterranee, a Mediterranean restaurant in San Francisco. While he had only envisioned this restaurant as a short-term venture, over four decades later, it is still open and has become a staple in the community.
Der Bedrossian has always harbored a special connection to his Armenian heritage, which has led him to seek out different ways of giving back to his homeland and celebrating Armenian culture. In 2016, he founded the Folk Arts Hub Foundation and the Silk Road Hotel in an effort to promote and preserve folk arts, particularly the weaving tradition.
Der Bedrossian fondly remembers his first visit to Armenia with his wife in 1982. “It was a memorable vacation, and we returned with a strong impression,” he says. After the 1988 Spitak earthquake, he felt compelled to volunteer, and in the summer of 1989, he joined the Land and Culture Organization to help in the village of Gogaran near Spitak. “I returned in the summer of 1990 as well. I witnessed the conditions and the events happening at these times in Armenia. Since then, I have visited Armenia every year, and during the last 25 years or so, twice a year,” he comments.
On his most recent visit in April 2024, Der Bedrossian saw firsthand the impact of his gift.
A supporter of AUA for two decades now, Der Bedrossian has always believed in the University’s mission to provide outstanding quality higher education to the youth in Armenia. Through the Levon Der Bedrossian Scholarship, he has provided much-needed financial support to numerous AUA students.
Anna Grigoryan (MATEFL ’22)
Receiving the Levon Der Bedrossian Scholarship was an amazing opportunity for me, as it allowed me to reach my goals and gain deeper knowledge in my field of expertise. I am extremely grateful for this opportunity. It was an honor to meet Mr. Der Bedrossian and have the chance to express my gratitude to him in person.
Ruzanna Girgoryan (MATEFL ’24)
I am inspired by the kindness and generosity of Mr. Der Bedrossian, who made such a difference in my life through his scholarship. I think that scholarships are great investments in the educational sphere, making an impact on many students.
I had been waiting for the opportunity to meet Mr. Der Bedrossian in person. I was filled with emotions and gratitude during our meeting at AUA.
Nina Shahmuradyan (BAB ‘24)
The Levon Der Bedrossian Scholarship was important to me, as I would not have been able to study at AUA without it. I am extremely thankful to Mr. Der Bedrossian and everyone investing in the education of young people, who will later contribute to the development of Armenia.
It was an honor for me to meet Mr. Der Bedrossian, who made a big contribution in my life with his act of kindness. It motivated me to work harder to later give back to my community and help other students the same way.
In 2023, Der Bedrossian decided to leave a lasting legacy on the AUA campus through the naming of a classroom in the Main Building. Though he initially considered using his family name to honor the memory of his parents and grandparents, he felt compelled to change it to the Aragats Classroom.
The Aragats Classroom at AUA, named by Levon Der Bedrossian
“I felt that by naming it Aragats, it transcends the personal and becomes inclusive, representing the beauty of the mountain,” said Der Bedrossian. “Certainly, the collective dream of my family members is becoming reality — as refugees, they always yearned for an independent Armenia…and thus, we have arrived.”
The naming of this academic facility will provide the University with the resources to continue offering the best education for its students through advancing its programs, recruiting top-tier faculty, and expanding its facilities.
“As I have previously noted, AUA is Armenia’s beacon, the shining, bright spot providing quality education to our younger generation. May the Aragats Classroom be inspirational to you all in assuming leadership as well as fulfilling your personal dreams,” Der Bedrossian said, adding, “Giving is true happiness — the more, the better!”
AUA is grateful for Der Bedrossian’s generous contribution. To learn more about naming opportunities, please visit this link.
Founded in 1991, the American University of Armenia (AUA) 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. AUA’s Office of Development stewards the University’s philanthropic efforts exclusively for educational purposes.
