CHSU Pharmacy Student Receives Scholarship from World-Renowned Organization

Clovis, CA – A second year pharmacy student at CHSU College of Pharmacy in Clovis, recently learned he was selected to receive a US Graduate Fellowship from the Armenian General Benevolent Union (AGBU). Allen Keshishian Namagerdi was awarded a $3,000 scholarship from the AGBU Education Department towards his studies at California Health Sciences University for the 2015-2016 academic year.
According to the decision letter from the Armenian General Benevolent Union, Keshishian Namagerdi received one of the hundreds of grants awarded by the AGBU each year:
[su_quote]We had an overwhelmingly large, highly talented and academically very well-qualified, competitive pool of candidates from which to choose, with deep-rooted interests in the Armenian community.[/su_quote]
Keshishian Namagerdi is a member of the inaugural class at CHSU College of Pharmacy who will graduate in 2018. According to his faculty advisor, Keshishian Namagerdi has a perfect academic record at CHSU.
“Mr. Keshishian Namagerdi is outstanding with an overall GPA of 4.0. His superb academic standing is not a surprise to me,” stated Dr. Patty Havard, Professor of Clinical Administration and Sciences and Associate Dean of Professional Development. “Prior to a change in his profession, Mr. Keshishian Namagerdi received his Bachelor of Science and Master Degree in Mining Engineering from the Azad University of Tehran in Iran, February 1997 and November 1999, respectively.  It is my understanding that Azad University of Tehran is the nation’s premiere and leading university in Iran.”
In January of this year, Keshishian Namagerdi was one of eight students selected to represent CHSU at the California Student Pharmacy Leadership Conference (CAPSLEAD).  Keshishian Namagerdi was selected as one of the student leaders based on his scholastic strengths and outstanding extracurricular activities, and strong leadership skills as Student Government President at the Engineering School, Azad University of Tehran, and department manager or supervisor role at various engineering companies in Iran that included Omran Sazan Mahab Co., Aria Engineering Co., and Neshonson Corporation.
After spending his childhood in Armenia and Iran, Keshishian Namagerdi recently relocated his family to Fresno from Los Angeles, making a difficult decision to temporarily give up his financial stability and enroll in pharmacy school. His decision to switch to a health profession comes from a strong desire to return back to his native country to provide health care support and humanitarian efforts to the devastated areas in Armenia.  To accomplish his vision, Keshishian Namagerdi plans to pursue post-graduate training in clinical pharmacy upon graduation.  He also hopes to pursue a leadership role with the AGBU organization.
[su_quote cite=”stated Keshishian Namagerdi”]Although there are many options in California for pharmacy school, I chose CHSU because I was inspired by their mission to improve healthcare for the local people and also due to the strong Armenian culture and roots present here,[/su_quote]
Fresno is now the second largest Armenian diaspora – recently surpassed by Glendale, CA – and the arrival of Armenian immigrants in the San Joaquin Valley date back to 1881. The Armenian Genocide Centennial Monument was recently unveiled at Fresno State this past April and the Armenian Study Program is one of the outstanding academic programs offered at Fresno State.
Keshishian Namagerdi hopes to inspire other students of Armenian heritage to pursue a doctor of pharmacy at California Health Sciences University.
About the Armenian General Benevolent Union
According to their website, the Armenian General Benevolent Union (AGBU) was founded in 1906 and is the world’s largest non-profit organization devoted to upholding the Armenian heritage through educational, cultural and humanitarian programs. Each year, AGBU is committed to making a difference in the lives of 500,000 people across Armenia, Nagorno-Karabakh and the Armenian diaspora.
AGBU currently operates with an annual budget of over $45 million, made possible by our countless benefactors. Headquartered in New York City, AGBU has an active presence in 31 countries and 74 cities and addresses the needs of Armenians with traditional and progressive programs worldwide —from schools, scouts, camps and support for the arts to internships, virtual learning and young professional networks.
About California Health Sciences University
California Health Sciences University was founded in 2012 and is the first university of its kind in the Central Valley. Envisioned by the Assemi family, CHSU offers a local option for health care professionals seeking doctoral and continuing education programs and to help remedy the shortage of health care services offered in the Valley. Students can enjoy the unique combination of high quality of life, affordable cost of living and plentiful career opportunities the Valley provides.
The College of Pharmacy was the first program offered because of the demand for pharmacists in the region and will employ more than 50, mostly faculty, and intends to train over 300 student pharmacists within the 4-year program at full capacity. The current campus is located at 120 N. Clovis Avenue near Herndon Avenue and freeway 168. Plans for a master campus on 179 acres in Millerton are currently under review with the County of Fresno.
Classes begin on Monday for the first and second cohort of students in the Doctor of Pharmacy Program at CHSU. The fall 2016 admission cycle for the CHSU College of Pharmacy began in July and applications for the Doctor of Pharmacy program are now being accepted. Visit the Admissions page on the university website for details.