On Thursday morning, September 18, 2025, H.E. Archbishop Kegham Khacherian, Prelate of the Western Prelacy, visited UCLA and met with prof. Ann Karagozian, Director of the Promise Armenian Institute (PAI). The Prelate was accompanied by Dr. Hasmig Baran.
The meeting focused on reviewing details and finalizing arrangements for the upcoming lecture of His Holiness Aram I, Catholicos of the Great House of Cilicia, to be held at UCLA during his Pontifical visit to the Western United States.
During his visit, H.E. Archbishop Khacherian learned more about the Promise Armenian Institute’s activities and commended its leadership and staff, especially for their Armenian focused initiatives and academic cultural programs. The Prelate also provided directives to the special committee, led by Dr. Baran, who also serves on the Board of Regents of the Prelacy Schools, tasked with organizing His Holiness Aram I’s upcoming lecture.
His Holiness Aram I will deliver a lecture in English on Tuesday, October 28, 2025, at 6:30 p.m., at UCLA’s Fowler Auditorium. Students, faculty, professionals, and community members are invited. Admission is free.
The Promise Armenian Institute was established at UCLA in 2019 through the vision of Dr. Eric Esrailian and made possible with a major gift from the estate of well-known Armenian-American benefactor Kirk Kerkorian. The Institute serves as a hub for world-class research and teaching, engaging in global research, Armenian Studies programs, and academic research on the Armenian Genocide.
