Edward Avedisian, Clarinetist and Philanthropist Whose $100 Million Gift Renamed BU’s School of Medicine, Dies at 85
Edward Avedisian, here in August 2022 with BU President Robert A. Brown, donated $100 million to BU this year, and the School of Medicine was renamed the Boston University Aram V. Chobanian & Edward Avedisian School of Medicine. Avedisian died December 7, at the age of 85. Photo by Dave Green
Edward Avedisian, Clarinetist and Philanthropist Whose $100 Million Gift Renamed BU’s School of Medicine, Dies at 85
Alum led a life of music, philanthropy, generosity to education, medical, and Armenian causes
This article was first published in BU Today on December 13, 2022. By Doug Most
Excerpt
Edward Avedisian, the Boston Pops career clarinetist who devoted his later life to astonishingly generous philanthropy to both American and Armenian causes and whose $100 million gift to Boston University this year renamed the BU School of Medicine in his honor, died last week. He was 85.
Avedisian (CFA’59,’61, Hon.’22) made his donation with the agreement that the medical school would be named after himself and his lifelong Armenian childhood friend from their days growing up in Pawtucket, R.I., Aram V. Chobanian (Hon.’06), BU’s ninth president. The gift for the Boston University Aram V. Chobanian & Edward Avedisian School of Medicine will support scholarships and endowed faculty chairs, along with cutting-edge research and teaching.
“He was a great friend, from early life,” Chobanian said, “which brings back memories of the distant past and family relationships.” He said Avedisian, who struggled with pulmonary health issues late in his life, died with his wife, Pamela, and family by his side. Avedisian met Pamela Wood when he was directing a chorus at Endicott College and she asked if he needed a pianist; they started dating and married in 1994.
“Not only has he been a great friend,” Chobanian added, “his death means to me that the world has lost a great humanitarian, who dedicated his life to helping those in need.”
At a ceremony in late September under a tent on the Medical Campus, both Chobanian and Avedisian beamed while relishing a standing ovation, sharing a podium with BU President Robert A. Brown, Ahmass Fakahany (Questrom’79), BU Board of Trustees chair, and Karen Antman, dean of the medical school and provost of the Medical Campus. Brown described the moment as “a historic day for the medical school and for Boston University” at the ceremony.
“It is with great sadness that we report our friend, alumnus, and benefactor, Ed Avedisian, has passed away,” Brown said December 8. “Ed Avedisian brightened our world with music and has improved the lives of countless individuals through his mindful philanthropy. At Boston University we are forever in his debt because of his and Pam’s transformative gift to the School of Medicine. Those who have followed the story of the naming know that it was Ed’s selfless wish to name the school for his great friend Aram Chobanian—as we have done. But at Aram’s insistence, we added Ed’s name. I am thankful for this because it is fitting that we should speak Ed’s name in years to come, fondly remembering him and his marvelous gifts.”
A memorial service will be held for Edward Avedisian next spring. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Avedisian School Endowment Fund, in care of the Armenian Missionary Association of America, AMAA, 31 W. Century Road, Paramus, N.J. 07652, or online at amaa.org.