of people from Armenia for the program.“ Aso wanted the Armenian government to be full of dynamic, intelligent, and ethical leaders,” he says.
The Tavitian Foundation has sponsored 22 groups at The Fletcher School with a total of 331 Tavitian Scholars who represent nearly 20 Armenian government ministries and agencies. Many of the people who have completed the program have risen to high government positions in Armenia, including ministers, judges, ambassadors, and members of parliament. A unique feature of the program is that participants are allowed to maintain their jobs and salaries, ensuring their return to Armenia.
Along with attending classes at The Fletcher School, they took trips to Washington, D. C., to visit the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, as well as to Tavitian’ s Manhattan home for dinner and a tour of the city. Towards the end of the program, they spent a weekend in the Berkshires, initially staying in the guesthouse on Tavitian’ s property. The Tavitian Foundation later bought the home next door, once the residence of Jack and Jane Fitzpatrick, and it is now the foundation’ s
headquarters. Extensive work was done to the gardens and the interior of the home, and The Tavitian Scholars began staying there in 2019.
Their weekend with Tavitian included a barbecue to welcome and congratulate the scholars on their achievements. The next morning, they headed to the Norman Rockwell Museum, and then lunch at The Red Lion Inn. The evening would be a formal sit-down dinner in the library with speeches by Tavitian and the students. On the final morning, after brunch, they returned to Tufts. A few days after that, they flew home. The goal was to gain a holistic experience in the U. S., which included their exposure to American arts and culture.
Tavitian’ s presence continues to be felt among the alumni of the program, who keep in touch with one another and sometimes hold reunions in Armenia. After a hiatus because of Covid and Tavitian’ s death, the program was restarted in 2024 and is promised at least another three-year run. The number of applicants has grown to 150 a year. Barsam, who is Armenian, has in the past
Aso Tavitian with a group of Tavitian Scholars and others( taken in 2013 or earlier).
welcomed the new scholars at her home when they arrived in Boston. She and Ara will be there once again in August to greet the latest class of 16 scholars.
“ He ' s still very much with us on this journey,” Ara says of Tavitian.“ He got to know each of the students on an individual level. And while he can ' t do that now, he can continue to shape the trajectory of a nation. He can continue to change individuals’ lives, and that ' s a profound impact for a foundation to be able to have.” n
May / June 2025 BERKSHIRE MAGAZINE // 23