Francis Sarguis believes he has found the perfect way to honor the memory of his mother — establishing a fund that will enable generations of learners to discover and, in turn, preserve modern Assyrian culture.
In that effort, he has established the Francis Sarguis Modern Assyrian Heritage Fund at California State University, Stanislaus. His $50,000 gift will allow the University library to acquire books and materials specifically about modern Assyrian culture.
“My mother was an avid reader and learner, with insatiable curiosity,” Sarguis said. “I know she would have approved of my gift to the library. I consider this a special tribute to her.”
Sarguis, who maintained a successful private law practice in Santa Barbara, was born in France and came to Turlock in 1947 at age 14 with his mother Maghdelata and his sister. After serving in the U.S. Army, Sarguis attended Modesto Junior College and earned his bachelor’s degree and teaching credential from UC Berkeley. He entered Hastings College of Law, earned his Juris Doctor from the University of Southern California and his master’s degree in law from Yale University Law School.
His mother remained in Turlock until her death in 2005.
“She loved Turlock, which was her home for six decades,” Sarguis said. “She fully celebrated the promise of this country. She reveled amid Turlock’s Assyrian community and thrived in the church, which was so much a part of her life.”
As a child growing up in a remote area of Iran, Sarguis’ mother endured the hardships of ethnic and religious persecution and was denied the opportunity to pursue her education beyond that which she received at a local seminary for girls.
Many in the modern Assyrian community share similar backgrounds, yet were able to establish and maintain a thriving culture while never forgetting their roots. It’s the intent of Sarguis to help preserve modern Assyrian culture through his gift.
The inaugural collection will include between 200-400 titles and items, and is planned to be made available for public use in the University library during the spring 2016 semester.
“Heritage is a part of us, because it’s in our genes,” Sarguis said. “It is good to understand and embrace it, because whether we know it or not, the decisions we make grow out of this reality. Heritage does not fully determine who we are, but it provides an important marker as to where we started in life.”