We spoke to the new student organization, Armenian Students Association of Temple University
‘We want Temple University to know about the Armenians and know that we are here’
At Temple University, there are over 300 student organizations for students to join. Whether students wish to join a organization specific to their major or to their ethnicity—we have it all at our university.
Luckily for the Armenian student community at Temple, they finally have an organization to represent them on our campus. The Armenian Students Association of Temple University was formed by Tsoline Karakelian, who created this organization for all Armenian students to come together and to get to know each other.
The Tab Temple spoke to the Tsoline about The Armenian Students Association of Temple University and the importance of the organization.
Could you explain more about your organization and what it is about?
The Armenian Students Association of Temple University was created for Armenian students to come together and to get to know each other. We welcome all Armenians and non-Armenians to learn more about our culture and history of Armenia. This student organization also helps students learn how to get more involved in the Philadelphia Armenian community and help make connections with other Armenians in other cities.
When was your student organization made and who helped create it?
The organization took a whole semester to start up! During this fall semester, I had to attend meetings and form a constitution of the organization to get it approved. The organization finally began recently this Spring and I was the one who started it. My Executive Board includes myself as the president, Aram Soukiasian (treasurer), Daron Pogharian (secretary) and Michele Bahtiarian (vice president).
As an Armenian student organization, why is the movie “The Promise” important?
This movie is very important to Armenians all over the world and as a student organization on our campus, I encourage everyone to watch it and learn about our culture. This movie will finally give Armenians a huge chance to be able to tell the world about what happened in 1915 to the Armenian population where 1.5 million Armenians were killed in the Armenian Genocide.
Since your student organization is brand new, what would you want the Temple community to know about your organization?
I want Temple University students to learn about the Armenian genocide and to bring Armenians closer together and educate everyone about our beautiful culture. We will also be wearing our brand new shirts all over campus very soon! The main thing we want students to know is that we are here and we want to promote that.
What future events will you guys have or are planning to do?
We will definitely be planning to have more events to remember about the Armenian genocide, have a fundraisers, bake sales and lectures next semester!
How could students join this organziation?
Students could contact our Owl Connect page or message us on our Facebook page where we will have more updates of our meetings and events that we will hold.
What would advice would give to students who want to make their own student organization?
If you want to do it and you think its necessary to do–just do it. I believe everyone’s voice should be heard so don’t be afraid to speak up and make a change. Armenians are so small and there aren’t that many of us and if we could speak up and go against a whole country then anyone should be able to speak up.
Do you think Armenian students are represented well at Temple?
Yes, I think Armenian students are feeling welcomed and excited to join a student organization like ours. There’s a positive energy and we are very welcoming of each other and new members who want to join. We are willing to teach anyone about our culture, traditions, and just socializing with each other.