Haigazian University Benefactor Joyce Philibosian Stein with President Dr. John Markarian at his 90th birthday celebration.
It was a memorable day in 1955 when John Markarian, a young tenured Religion Professor at La Fayette College in Pennsylvania, relinquished that position by accepting the invitation to serve as Founding President of Haigazian College. History proved the decision providential.
Mr. Stephen Mehagian and his wife Mary, of Phoenix, Arizona, were the first to dream of the possibility of a college in Lebanon. Mary was the daughter of Dr. Armenag Haigazian, the martyred Headmaster of The Jenanyan Apostolic Institute of Konia, Turkey. The Mehagians met with Mr. & Mrs. Stephen Philibosian of Philadelphia. They shared a vision for a college in Lebanon —Haigazian College.
Arriving in Beirut with his late wife Ruth and young daughter Joanne, the Markarians found themselves in a new environment. With a faculty and staff of twelve, and 50 students, a small family was formed. Both President and student were eager to embark on their new venture, facing many challenges together. Fortunately, benefactors quickly recognized and addressed these needs for a school in the Middle East. Dr. Markarian’s first term as President lasted until June 1966.The expanded campus now includes the campus icon— The Mugar Building —complemented with the Aharonian, Philibosian, Heritage, and Mehagian Buildings.
Civil War raged in Beirut for the next ten years of Markarian’s Presidency—1972-1982. Yet, this erudite pastor and educator provided a haven for students at Haigazian—even as bombs were falling and chaos reigned. Markarian, and his courageous wife Inge, developed the strategy of loving the enemy with food and drink–not hostility. Their inspiration: Romans 12:20: “If your enemies are hungry, feed them; if they are thirsty, give them something to drink; for by doing this you will heap burning coals on their head.â€
