Gerald Turpanjian Leaves Lasting Legacy at USC

It is with great sadness that the Institute shares the passing of Gerald “Jerry” Turpanjian, an extraordinary benefactor of the USC Dornsife Institute of Armenian Studies.

A child of Armenian Genocide survivors, Turpanjian was born in 1934 in Aleppo, Syria and raised in Beirut, Lebanon. After graduating from Armenian Evangelical Central High School in Beirut, Turpanjian immigrated to Los Angeles. His decades-long involvement with USC began during his time as a student of International Relations.

Turpanjian was a member of the Institute’s National Honorary Council since 2014, a body that brought together individuals with extensive experience in diplomacy and leadership to advance the Institute’s mission.

A lifelong believer in the power of education, Turpanjian endowed two chairs at USC — the Chair in Civil Society and Social Change and Early Career Chair in Contemporary Armenian Studies.

“When you hear the words, gentleman and scholar, it sounds almost cliché — but Jerry Turpanjian totally fit that bill,” said Turpanjian Chair in Civil Society and Social Change Manuel Pastor. “Every exchange with him was a delight — when he complimented my smart students, when he beamed with pride at the post-doctoral fellows that bear his name, when he reminded me that the way to get ahead in business and in life is to treat everyone fairly.”

The Turpanjian Family Educational Foundation played a transformative role in cementing contemporary Armenian Studies into the academic landscape at USC. Stemming from his commitment to Armenia and his Armenian heritage, Turpanjian consistently supported the Institute’s growth and reach.

The establishment of an Early Career Chair in Contemporary Armenian Studies transformed the field by creating a position for a junior scholar whose work centers the contemporary Armenian experience. Moreover, it deepened the integration of Armenian Studies research and scholarship at USC.

“His exemplary legacy as an educational philanthropist was known to me even before I joined USC,” said Turpanjian Early Career Chair in Contemporary Armenian Studies Hrag Papazian. “I am grateful for his commitment to contemporary Armenian Studies and dedicated to upholding and extending his legacy in my work.”

In 2016, Turpanjian received the Legacy Award during the Institute’s 10th Anniversary Gala for his profound commitment to education and USC.

Turpanjian’s generosity transcended geographic boundaries, supporting initiatives in Armenia, Artsakh, and diasporic communities worldwide. “His philosophy as an Armenian philanthropist was singular,” said Institute Director Shushan Karapetian.

“Mr. T, as we knew him, clearly saw the enduring benefits of investing in educational institutions that shape the minds and hearts of the leaders of tomorrow.”

“Jerry was a dear friend, mentor, and inspiration to me and countless others in our community,” said Institute Leadership Council Chairman Charles Ghailian. “He was a true nation builder and a man who led by example in every aspect of his life.”

The team at the Institute extends its heartfelt condolences to the Turpanjian family.