Honorary Alumni Award

Veha Chamichian studied piano as a young girl, but her true appreciation of music came years later when she met her late husband, Dr. Soren Chamichian.   A distinguished and well-known eye doctor in Mt. Pleasant, Dr. Chamichian was also a talented violinist.   While attending college in Lebanon he was involved with the orchestral program and would always perform his future wife, Veha's musical request.  This serenading led to the start of a wonderful music-filled life together.

For years, the Chamichian's would attend numerous CMU music events and host after-concert receptions in their home.  Dr. Chamichian also performed in many string quartets and duets with the CMU music faculty. 

When Dr. Chamichian passed away in 1986, Veha was passionate about keeping his memory and devotion to music alive.  And that she did.  Today, the School of Music building hosts many performances in the state-of-the-art Chamichian Recital Hall.  Student musicians also benefit from The Chamichian Master Series; a program that brings professional musicians to campus to work one on one with music students.   

 Veha Chamichian is a genuinely beloved member of the School of Music family. She understands and resonates with the expressive power of music and appreciates its unique power to communicate. In 2010 School of Music faculty and community members established the Veha Chamichian Endowment for Orchestra Studies in her honor.  Her generosity, encouragement, and friendship have made the School of Music a better place to teach, learn, and create, and, through the Chamichian Endowments, will do so in perpetuity.