Dr. Barkev Kibarian

DR. BARKEV KIBARIAN of Potomac, MD died peacefully on September 4, 2016. In his renowned and lengthy career as an educator and university administrator, he served as a tenured professor at Georgetown University School of Business. He was the first Armenian American to hold the position of College President.  He also served as president of The College of Emporia (Kansas), Husson University (Maine) and Southeastern University (Washington, DC). In his distinguished career he worked with students to improve the caliber of academics, at the same time increasing the enrollment in all of these institutions. He was awarded an Honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters from his Alma Mater, the University of Rhode Island. He received his MBA degree and PhD from Stern School of Business of the University of New York. During the Korean Conflict, he served as a first lieutenant in the Quartermaster Corps of the US Army. After his retirement he was invited to lectureships at King Fahd University in Saudi Arabia, as well as in: Hubei, China; Cochabamba, Bolivia; CETYS University in Mexico; The University of Kampala in Uganda; and as a lecturer in Benghazi, Iraq. He traveled extensively, in Korea and Japan, seeking new innovations in education. Being a visionary, he worked to develop the concept of distance learning and was one of the first professors to promote entrepreneurship.

He was devoted to his family and to his Armenian heritage. He was preceded in death by a sister Annie, and two brothers: Sarkis and Nishan. He is survived by his brother Joe Kibarian. He will be very much missed by his beloved wife of fifty-four years, Mary Ann; and by his devoted children: his daughter Maral Skelsey (William) his sons Barkev G. Kibarian (Cheryl) and Christopher Kibarian (Gohar). Also his grandchildren: Charlotte and Freddie Skelsey, Katie and Sarah Kibarian, and Haik and Chloe Kibarian. He will also be missed by many nieces and nephews.

His Funeral Service to which relatives and friends are invited will be held on Friday, September 16th at 11 a.m. in Sts. Vartanantz Armenian Apostolic Church, 402 Broadway, Providence, RI, followed by interment with military honors at North Burial Ground, Providence.  VISITING HOURS are at the church from 9:30 a.m. to 11 a.m. prior to service.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to Georgetown University's general McDonough School of Business (MSB) Scholarship Fund. A contribution can be made via www.giving.georgetown.edu or by check to Georgetown University Gift Processing Department Number 0734  Washington, DC 20073-0734. Please note “in memory of” on the check memo line or online giving form. Please also note "For MSB Scholarships.

Visit nardolillo.com for online condolences.