Armenians
THEIR GROUNDBREAKING CONTRIBUTIONS REFLECT A LEGACY OF INNOVATION THAT CONTINUES TO INSPIRE FUTURE GENERATIONS
Jack and Mary Bayramian
Philanthropists
Bio
Natives of Ayntab, Turkey, Mary Bayramian and Jack Bayramian grew up in Los Angeles. Jack, who served in the US Navy during World War II, went on to work for the Pacific Telephone and Telegraph Company for 20 years. Mary earned a BA in art from San Fernando Valley State College (now California State University, Northridge - CSUN) and taught art at nearby San Fernando High School.
In 1971, both at age 50, Mary and Jack retired and moved to Laguna Beach, California. Mary wrote several cookbooks and designed jewelry. Mary and Jack passed away in 2002 and 2005, respectively.
Following Jack’s death, CSUN was informed that the couple had bequeathed to it their entire $7.3-million estate, marking at the time the largest cash and alumnus gift in the history of the university. The bequest resulted in the creation of the Mary and Jack Bayramian Presidential Scholars and the Mary Bayramian Arts Scholars endowment funds, as well as the Bayramian Presidential Scholar Awards. In addition, earnings from the Mary and Jack Bayramian Presidential Scholars fund make possible various scholarships through the university’s premier Northridge Scholars Program.