President's Message

A 2011-2012 welcome to Haigazian University

Our dear young friends,

Joining a university, a young and ambitious community, a new academic system, is an act of inquiry and discovery.  

It is expected that those who join a new community will focus their initial and utmost attention on observation and screening: observation of the others who are around them; how they look, dress, behave and think like; and screening of who is likable and who is not; who is a potential friend or challenger.

The focus, here, is on the others. Good learning is related to good observation of others and outside phenomena.  Observation will help new students make choices. In-depth observation will hopefully lead to good judgment.  The initial phases of observation will help students discover new options and freedoms to develop and excel.  New friendships will evolve and will hopefully pave the way for fruitful opportunities in university life and beyond.  Observation, therefore, should help one discover and learn. Unfortunately, observation turns against oneself, if it is used only to judge or envy, dismiss or devalue.

Indeed, the mission of a university called includes providing the theoretical framework and practical field for good observation and steady growth.

But there is more.  I heartily invite you, students, to do more than observing the outside world and phenomena, the faculty, the staff, the classroom, lab, and library dynamics and student or other social behavior.  I mainly challenge you to become aware of your own self.   Observing others, as important as it may be, must be balanced by self-observation, self-awareness and self-critique.  Learning about oneself is in a creative relationship with learning about others.

How can I observe and learn, is a good starting question.  How can that include learning about myself, about my feelings, reactions, shortcomings and potentials, etc.?  It is also important to remember that if we observe others positively and observe ourselves realistically, we will sense that there is more out and in there than others and myself.  We are all valued spirits of a loving God and a welcoming world.
How ready am I to observe and learn? How can I also know about myself during my university studies?  May these all lead to a good year of good learning.

Rev. Paul Haidostian, Ph.D.
President
Haigazian University