Remembering a Beloved BU President

A memorial service for BU President Emeritus Aram Chobanian (Hon.’06), who died in August 2023 at age 94, was held at Marsh Chapel May 15. As BU’s ninth president, Chobanian was credited with stabilizing the University during a tumultuous period. He joined the School of Medicine faculty in 1962, became the school’s dean in 1988 and provost of the Medical Campus in 1996. He oversaw the 1996 merger of Boston City Hospital and BU’s Medical Center Hospital, BU’s teaching hospital, resulting in the creation of Boston Medical Center. His lifelong friend Edward Avedisian (CFA’59,’61, Hon.’23) donated $100 million to the medical school in 2022, insisting that it be named in Chobanian’s honor. Chobanian agreed only if the school were named for both of them. BU Professor Emeritus Thomas J. Moore (at the podium) was among the speakers at the service. Photo by Cydney Scott