History of Armenian Revolutionary Federation Shant

Levon Shant 1869-1951

Born Levon Seghposian in Constantinople. Graduate of the Etchmiadzin Gevorkian Academy. Pursued and received higher education in Germany and Switzerland. Was a poet, educator, and playwright. At a young age, became a member of the Armenian Revolutionary Federation. Vice-President of the first Armenian Republic's parliament. In 1920, Western Armenian delegate to the Bolshevik Government in Moscow. After the fall of Armenia to Communism, was arrested while passing through Georgia and imprisoned in Yerevan. Freed thanks to the February 18th revolt. One of the founders of the Hamazkayin Armenian Cultural & Educational Society and later the Hamazkayin Academy of Beirut. Died in Beirut, Lebanon at the age of 82.

The Central Committee of the Armenian Revolutionary Federation Western Region reinstated the ARF Shant Student Association (SSA) in 2001. The Shant Student Association was established to revive Armenian cultural and political awareness and activism in Southern California Universities & Colleges in relation to many aspects of the Armenian Cause.

The goal of the Shant Student Association is to expand the idea of social, political, and economic liberation of the Armenian people in the Diaspora and Armenia within campuses. The SSA will promote the goals of a Free, Independent, and United Armenia and the just recognition of the Armenian Genocide. The SSA will also provide assistance to Armenian students by providing support during their transitional stages into colleges and universities.

We believe that with the dedicated activism of young Armenian students, student populations at campuses can be educated and informed about the injustices perpetuated by the Turkish government relating to the Armenian Genocide. We strongly believe that the potential of Armenian students to promote the Armenian Cause on campuses is an infinite task driven by national identity. Finally, we believe that Armenian students are the intellectual and moral future of the entire Armenian nation, therefore we will strive to advance the Armenian cause for present and future generations.