The Armenian Educational Foundation (AEF) will honor social entrepreneurs and educational visionaries Ruben Vardanyan and his wife Veronika Zonabend with the prestigious Educational Visionaries Award at its 75th Anniversary Gala, taking place on September 7, 2025, at the Beverly Hills Hilton Hotel in Beverly Hills, California, reports Zartonk Media.
Veronika Zonabend will attend the event to accept the award on behalf of the couple. Ruben Vardanyan, a devoted advocate for Artsakh, has been unjustly held captive in Baku for the past two years. Despite his absence, the couple will be recognized for their transformative contributions to global education and their pioneering role in founding UWC Dilijan, Armenia’s first international boarding school.
Under their leadership, UWC Dilijan has emerged as a world-class center for intercultural learning and global citizenship, helping elevate Armenia’s standing in the global educational landscape. Since its establishment in 2014, the school has educated students from 125 countries, created more than 2,000 local jobs, and revitalized the surrounding community through educational and social initiatives. UWC Dilijan embodies the mission of the United World Colleges movement: “To make education a force to unite people, nations and cultures for peace and a sustainable future.”
Beyond UWC Dilijan, the couple co-founded the RVVZ Family Foundation, IDeA Charitable Foundation, and Scholae Mundi Foundation, all of which focus on sustainable development and global education. Vardanyan also spearheaded initiatives such as the Aurora Humanitarian Initiative and the Foundation for Armenian Science and Technology (FAST). He has been honored with numerous international accolades, including the AIB Presidential Award and the Common Ground Awards, recognizing his far-reaching impact in education and philanthropy.
Zonabend, a champion of educational reform and philanthropy, was awarded the Order of Friendship by the President of Armenia in 2014 and was recently recognized by the Armenian International Women’s Association (AIWA) in 2024 for her sustained contributions to Armenian education.
In addition to honoring Vardanyan and Zonabend, the 75th Anniversary Gala will spotlight two other distinguished individuals whose lifelong dedication has shaped Armenian education and inspired generations:
Vahe Hacopian to Receive Distinguished Lifetime Service Award
Vahe Hacopian will be recognized with the Distinguished Lifetime Service Award for his decades-long service to AEF and the Armenian community. A central figure in Armenian educational and civic life in Los Angeles, Hacopian has been an active AEF member for 39 years, serving 34 years on the Board of Directors, including four terms as President—making him the Foundation’s longest-serving board member.
His leadership and institutional memory have shaped AEF’s evolution, particularly through his service on the Endowment, Investment, Javakhk and Lebanon Scholarship, Audit, and By-Laws Committees. In 1992, Hacopian helped inaugurate the Grashen Village Kindergarten, AEF’s first school project in Armenia after the 1988 earthquake. He also played a key role in expanding the Armenia Scholarship Program, which now supports over 1,200 students annually, up from just 21 in 2007.
Outside of AEF, Hacopian co-founded St. Mary’s Armenian School (now Tufenkian Preschool and Chamlian Armenian School), contributed to the growth of St. Mary’s Armenian Church, and served in the Armenian Youth Federation (AYF). Professionally, he built a distinguished 37-year career at Northrop Grumman, and holds a Master’s degree in Computer Science from UCLA.
Dr. C. L. Max Nikias to Receive Excellence in Education Award
AEF will also honor Dr. Chrysostomos L. Max Nikias, President Emeritus and Life Trustee of the University of Southern California (USC), with the Excellence in Education Award. As USC’s 11th President (2010–2018), Dr. Nikias played a transformative role in the university’s rise to global prominence.
One of his enduring legacies is the establishment of the USC Institute of Armenian Studies in 2005, which has become a leading academic and cultural hub for research on Armenian history and contemporary issues. Under his leadership, the USC Shoah Foundation expanded to include Armenian Genocide survivor testimonies, launched the Center for Advanced Genocide Research, and initiated collaborations with the Armenian Genocide Museum-Institute in Yerevan.
In 2024, Dr. Nikias further deepened his connection to Armenia by visiting Yerevan as a keynote speaker at the World Congress on Innovation and Technology (WCIT), underscoring his commitment to fostering educational and cultural advancement across the Armenian world.
The AEF 75th Anniversary Gala promises to be a landmark celebration of Armenian educational excellence and community impact, honoring individuals whose visionary leadership continues to shape the future of generations to come.
For tickets, sponsorship opportunities, and more information, please visit www.aef.org or contact aef@aefweb.org.
