The Central Turkey College (C. T. College) of Ayntab

Author: Ani Voskanyan, 13/06/25 (Last modified 13/06/25) - Translator: Simon Beugekian

The Central Turkey College of Ayntab, one of the largest contemporary educational institutions, began its regular academic operations on September 11, 1876. [1] Thanks to its wide range of activities, this institution played an important role in the history of Armenian educational institutions in the Ottoman Empire, establishing new standards in the educational sector.

The Central Turkey College of Ayntab also served as an important springboard for many Armenian youths, both graduates of the school and members of the faculty (lecturers and professors), who made valuable contributions to the educational and social fields and in many other domains.

The Armenian Evangelical movement began in Cilicia in the 1850s, and the community’s need for spiritual and educational experts grew by the day. Some Evangelical youths were students of the American missionary Benjamin Schneider, who taught them theology. But there was a need for more comprehensive education. Dr. Azariah Smith and Mr. Schneider appealed to Very Reverend Cyrus Hamlin in Constantinople. In response, Zenop Israelian (from Bursa), a young teacher working at the school of the Bebek neighborhood of Constantinople (which would later become the celebrated Robert College), was sent to Ayntab, where he served as an educator for four years. [2] Aleksan Bezdjian, the renowned future intellectual/professor and one of the pillars of Central Turkey College, was among Zenop’s pupils. He was sent to Constantinople as early as 1852 to study at the Bebek neighborhood school. Zenop Israelian’s death in 1854 left a huge vacuum in the Armenian educational field in Ayntab and forced the closure of the new school. Mr. Schneider, with the help of other missionaries in Ayntab, attempted to organize theology classes. However, the locals demanded that natural sciences also be taught. In summer 1856, Aleksan Bezdjian was invited to Ayntab, and beginning in September of that year, began teaching at the reopened school as head teacher of science and mathematics.

This school operated for about ten years. Among its faculty were Mr. Schneider, Mr. Nutting [sic], and other missionaries. In 1865, this school was restructured and moved to Marash. Aleksan Bezdjian was re-appointed as head of the science classes; and Mr. Giles Foster Montgomery was appointed as head of theology classes. [3]

Gradually, this institution was transformed into an institution of higher education that met the needs of the time – a college in which the disciplines of theology, medicine, architecture, and law were taught entirely separately; and which, naturally, became an opportunity for young people to specialize in the discipline of their choice.

In 1871, the yearly summit of the “Union of Evagelical Churches of Cilicia” was convened in Adana. The summit was attended by pastors, preachers, and ministers from 23 Evangelical churches; as well as Nathaneal Clark, the head secretary of the American Board of Commissioners for Foreign Missions (“Board” for short). This summit discussed the establishment of a college in Cilicia. The decision was made to create an institution of higher education comparable to Robert College [4] in Constantinople [5].

This proposal was submitted to the Board, which ratified it, and preparations began in 1872. Ayntab was chosen as the location of the institution, and “Central Turkey College” was chosen as its name. Medical education classes, in partnership with the hospital, were an essential component of the planned college curriculum. [6]

A board of trustees and a local board of governors were formed. According to the 1901 newsletter of the college, its board of trustees consisted of J. M. W. Hall, president; Judson Smith, secretary; S. F. Wilkins, treasurer; Charles H. Daniels; H. H. Proctor; Edward R. Stearns; Elbridge Torrey; and W. A. Bartlett. The local board of governors consisted of Americus Fuller, president; John Ernest Merrill, secretary and treasurer; Garabed Barsoumian, treasurer in charge of local fund; and other members. [7]

By spring 1872, work had begun in all necessary directions to build the college. The Armenian Evangelical community of Ayntab raised 1,600 Ottoman pounds for the project; and Hadji Ta’a Efendi donated land larger than 100 plowing fields [8], on which the institution would be built. Various individuals donated stone, lumber, etc. Very Reverend Trowbridge traveled to England and America to raise more funds. Thanks to his personal connections and the notices that appeared in the press, he was able to raise a large sum of money. The Protestants of England, America, and to a certain extent France greatly contributed to the project. [9].

The Avedaper periodical of Constantinople wrote of Trowbridge’s successful fundraising efforts, noting that the sum raised in England and America amounted to 10,239 Ottoman pounds. [10] Later issues of this periodical provided additional information on additional fundraising efforts, donors, and the college in general. [11]

It was also necessary to hire a proper faculty for the college. Aleksan Bezdjian took steps to ensure he was qualified to teach at the institution. He traveled to America to further his education at Yale University. [12]

It became possible to establish a hospital and medical school at the college. The relatives of Very Reverend Azariah Smith, the chief doctor of the first Protestant missionaries to establish a presence in Ayntab (and who had died at a young age), raised the necessary funds for the hospital, which was named after Smith. The hospital construction committee consisted of eight members (half of them American) and was chaired by Mr. Fuller. The architect of the building was Lucien Harbor Adams, a missionary living in Kesab. The necessary permits and approvals were obtained to proceed with construction. [13]

A new school was opened to prepare students for matriculation at the college. A graduate of the old theological lyceum, Sarkis Yenovkian (from Marash), was appointed as its head of instruction; and Hovagim Srpoyan (from Urfa), a graduate of Robert College, was appointed as its head teacher. Aleksan Bezdjian returned from America in 1874, chose 15 of the most gifted students of this school, and began preparing them for enrollment at the college. Within two years, enrollment at this preparatory school reached 38. In 1876, 11 of its students became the first freshman class of the college. [14]

Beginning on 16 June 1875, Mr. Fuller oversaw the educational program at the college. The executive board meeting of January 31, 1876, discussed the election of a college president. Very Reverend Tilman Trowbridge was elected to this position on November 2, 1876. As the college building was not yet finished, classes were initially held in a rented building. In 1877, Hovhannes Krikorian and Sarkis Levonian were invited to work at the college as assistant teachers, while Hovhannes Yazudjian (Natuk Khodja) was hired as a teacher of Ottoman Turkish. [15]

Construction of the college ended in 1878. The buildings stood in a beautiful location, on a hill west of Ayntab. The compound covered an area of 60 acres (about 0.25 square kilometers), with the land owned by the college. The structures were built of cream-colored limestone, decorated with black stones. The main building consisted of three floors and a cellar. It had a lecture hall, with desks for the students; as well as a boarding section with the necessary accommodations. The building had ten classrooms, a library, a small laboratory, etc. The library had a collection of 4,000 books, primarily in English, including books on Christianity, philosophy, and other topics. The library also received issues of Armenian and Turkish periodicals published in Constantinople. [16] Sometime later, the number of books in the library reached 7,600, of which 1,337 were in Armenian. [17]

In that same year, the college obtained a ferman from the Sultan and moved into its own building, with an enrollment of 50-55 pupils. In 1879, in addition to the teachers already mentioned, the college faculty included Prof. Aleksan Bezdjian; Dr. Syuni; Mr. Fuller; and Smpad Kaprielian, who was still a student of the medical faculty and who taught Armenian. [18]

In 1880, the college awarded diplomas to its inaugural group of graduates. The seven graduates [19] were: from Marash, Sdepan Gyulyuzian; from Ayntab, Nazar Kyurkdjian, Zenop Bezdjian, Hovhannes (Hanne) Khrlopian, Krikor Boghosian, and Hovhannes Djemedjian; and Theologhos Biziradis, who graduated from the medical faculty. Two of these graduates, Krikor Boghosian and Zenop Bezdjian, began working at the college as assistant teachers. In 1881, they were joined by Very Reverend Garabed Markarian, as assistant teacher for history and other subjects. Thanks to the foresight and efforts of Mr. Trowbridge, some of the college teachers and gifted graduates were sent to Europe and America to hone their skills or continue their education.

Sarkis Levonian and Hovhannes Krikorian, teachers at the college, studied at Yale University (Connecticut) and Amherst College (Massachusetts) in 1880-1883. Upon their return, they taught mathematics and philosophy at the college. In 1883, Zenop Bezdjian was sent to France. [20]

In the 1883-1884 and 1884-1885 academic years, Very Reverend Mardiros Iknadiosian (from Agn) served as the Armenian teacher at Central Turkey College; while in the 1885-1886 academic year, this position was filled by Manase Papazian. The latter, too, left for America, and was replaced by Ghazar Diradourian (from Arapgir), a graduate of the institution. Sarkis Samuelian (from Marash) was hired as an assistant teacher. Diradourian was succeeded by Tavit Der-Ghazarian, an 1890 graduate of the college, who was dubbed “the nightingale of Cilicia” by Yeghia Demirdjibashian for his poetic talent. [21]

In the 1884-1885 academic year, French was added to the curriculum of Central Turkey College. This subject was taught by Nazar Kyurkdjian, Michel Antaki, and Devlet Poladian. In the same academic year, Hagop Asadourian (from Birecik) taught Ottoman Turkish; while beginning in the 1885-1886 academic year, this subject was taught by Sdepan Khodja Yakoubian (from Elbistan). For two academic years, from 1885 to 1887, Mr. Heinz and Mr. Charles Riggs taught the Holy Bible, history, and geography. In 1887, Zenop Bezdjian, after graduating from the law faculty of Sorbonne University, returned and served as an expert teacher of French, general history, and Ottoman law. [22]

In 1888, the Araks periodical of Saint Petersburg, reporting on the Central Turkey College, mentioned that a large number of American and Armenian Protestant/Evangelical professors taught at the institution, most of whom had been educated in America. [23]

The year 1888 was difficult for the college. Its first president, Very Reverend Tilman Trowbridge, passed away. Mr. Americus Fuller was elected as the new president. The institution’s funding decreased to a certain extent, but thanks to the tireless efforts of its faculty, it continued operating normally. [24] Mr. John Ernest Merrill, former teacher of history, English, and Greek, was appointed as the college director. [25]

The year 1890 was also difficult. On the night of December 26-27, a fire erupted at the college, consuming two-thirds of the building and causing 3,000 Ottoman pounds in damage. Fortunately, thanks to the generosity of missionaries and American donors, the damage was quickly repaired.

During the 1895 Hamidian massacres, the college was closed for about ten days. The buildings of the college, hospital, and girls’ lyceum were not damaged. During the massacres, Central Turkey College sheltered 100-120 Armenians on its premises, thus saving them. After the massacres, for reasons of safety and politics, the entire faculty and student body of the college lived on campus until the end of the academic year. [26] By then (probably 1890), the government had confiscated the printing disc of the college printing press, which was used to print materials solely meant for internal circulation. [27] At the time, the college published the Sadayı Hakikat [28] handwritten periodical, which was released once a month and was read in public at the end of each month. In 1893-1894, the editorial team of this periodical consisted of Avedis Djebedjian, Krikor Yenikomshouyan, and Yeghia Kasuni. At their suggestion, some of the articles of the periodical were published in Armenian. Later, the entire periodical was published in Armenian. [29]

In 1902, Central Turkey College celebrated its 25-year silver jubilee.Many notable guests were invited to the celebrations or relayed their congratulations. [30]

In 1904, the Arevelk newspaper of Constantinople reported on the college, noting that it offered a seven-year course of instruction and taught Christianity, physics, mathematics, biology, history, philosophy, economics, Ottoman Turkish, Armenian, Greek, English, French, and music. The tuition fee was 9-10 Ottoman pounds. The newspaper also described the admission process, informing its readers that applications for admission could be sent to the administration by the applicable deadlines, and that there were no application fees. The article added that the following academic year, meaning the 1904-1905 year, would begin on September 14. [31]

In 1905, the president of Central Turkey College, Mr. Fuller, resigned and left for America with his wife. Mr. John Merrill was elected as the next president, and he served for 30 years, both in Ayntab and later in Aleppo as the first president of Aleppo College (1924-1937). From the very first start of Merrill’s term, the college adopted a policy of accelerated development. He hoped to transform the institution into a university, and he gradually introduced changes that would help achieve this goal. He expanded the faculty, and classes beyond the freshman year became elective and more targeted towards specific specialties. [32] Many graduates of the college, who had continued their education in America and elsewhere, were members of the faculty. Among these was Jessie Matosian, who taught psychology and pedagogy. The college also began offering a basic course in commerce, and Mihran Bezdjian was invited to teach it as an assistant teacher in 1905-1907. Garabed Daghlian (from Ayntab) was appointed as Prof. Aleksan Bezdjian’s assistant, and Loutfi Levonian (from Ayntab) as the Ottoman Turkish teacher. Arabic was added to the college curriculum. Nedjib Djebedjian and Loutfi Babigian taught architecture and mathematics. Yakoub Der-Krikorian, a graduate of the college, served as its librarian in 1912. In 1913, Prof. Aleksan Bezdjian passed away, and was succeeded by Prof. Garabed Daghlian. [33]

According to the report of the 1913-1914 academic year, the college secretary was Zenop A. Bezdjian; the registrar and assistant secretary was Hovhannes A. Hasurdjian; the clerk and bookbinding director was Manase Antounian; the museum keeper was Loutfi H. Babigian; the supervisor of the chemical laboratory was Garabed C. Daghlian; the director of the boarding section was Arshag Roumian; the supplies manager was Kevork Heghinian; and the director of the printing press was Sarkis Laleyan. Christianity was taught by President John Ernest Merrill, Reverend Hagop Nadjarian, and Loutfi Levonian; natural sciences by Daghlian, Babigian, Jessie Matosian, and Setrag G. Matosian; mathematics by L. Babigian and S. G. Matosian; sociology, economics, and history by Z. Bezdjian; psychology and pedagogy by J. Matosian; philosophy by John Merrill and J. Matosian; Ottoman Turkish and Arabic by Loutfi Levonian, M. Kazandjian, E. Hashish, Abdul Kader Kemal, and Istirapzate Djelal; English by R. C. Hill, A. Kayayan, H. B. Hasurdjian, and Mrs. Hill; French by Michel Antaki; Greek by Fred Alexis; the New Testament by Mrs. Elizabeth Merrill (Very Reverend Tilman Trowbridge’s daughter); music (vocal and instrumental) by Hagop Yuvezian; penmanship and drawing by M. Kazandjian and Pilibos Sarkisian; and athletics by R. C. Hill, L. R. Foul, Dr. F. O. Smith, and G. M. Wilcox. The Armenian teacher during this academic year was Arshag Roumian. Among Armenian teachers who served at various times at the college were Prof. Nshan Baleozian and Prof. N. H. Djebedjian. [34]

After the reinstatement of the Ottoman Constitution in 1908, the college could once again engage in publishing activities. In the 1913-1914 academic year, a total of 730,000 pages were printed at the college, consisting of 659 books and 25,397 exercise books. The college press secured employment for 28 students. [35]

Initially, when the First World War broke out, the academic year of the college was not interrupted. This academic year ended on June 16, 1915, without a graduation ceremony, due to the lack of a graduating class. [36]

Many of the lecturers and older students of the college were conscripted into the Ottoman army. The government often conducted searches, not only of the college building, but also of the other buildings occupied by the missionaries. The country’s mobilization continued, and even minors were called up to the army. The college buildings were often requisitioned, under the pretext that they were needed for military purposes, then returned to the administration.

During the years of the war, the college did not operate. Only after the Armistice was it possible to reopen it. On December 1, 1919, only the secondary school that prepared students for matriculation at the college was reopened, under the directorship of Very Reverend John Martin. By then, Mr. and Mrs. John and Elizabeth Merrill had been recalled to the United States.

After the Armistice, the college buildings were first occupied by British forces, then French forces. In February 1921, the Americans demanded that the French return the college, with the aim of reopening the institution in October of that year, after making the necessary renovations. In early 1923, the Armenian population of Ayntab was once again forced into exile. President John Merrill considered moving the college to Syria. After some negotiations, in early 1924, Merrill and the executive board decided to move the college to Aleppo. The American College of Aleppo (Aleppo College) was the successor to the Central Turkey College. [37]

Thus ended the history of one of the largest American educational institutions in Ayntab. Although the Central Turkey College was not an Armenian institution, its existence was threatened, and it declined, during the years of the Armenian Genocide. The institution closed after the second exodus of the Armenians of Ayntab.

The Young Christian Association of the college was founded in 1886-1887. The Hayakhos [Armenian-Speaking] Association was created in the same year, with the aim of promoting the Armenian language among Turkish-speaking Armenians students. This organization had a library of Armenian books.

In the ensuing years, many other student organizations and societies were created, including the “Literary Association, “Athletic Association,” “Students’ Association,” and “Graduates’ Association.” The Graduates’ Association endeavored to raise additional funds for the college and to support scholarship students. [38]

Between 1882 and 1892, thanks to Professor H. C. Krikorian’s efforts, music classes began being taught at the college. Prof. Krikorian also founded the college choir, which performed on holidays and during recitals. Prof. Krikorian translated several English songs into Armenian, and these were sung for many years during church services. One of his students, Haroutyun Mouradian, who showed great talent, was sent to America by the college administration. There, he honed his skills as a singer and pianist. Mouradian returned in 1895 and worked at the college until 1906. Throughout those years, singing lessons and performances of the choir, always accompanied by the organ, were very successful.

Between 1906 and 1911, the music teacher at the college was Yeghia Kasuni; and between 1912 and 1915, it was Hagop A. Yuvezian. The latter was sent to Switzerland to hone his skills as a violinist. Upon his return, he directed the college choir, using entirely new methods, and achieved great successes.

The singing and music classes offered by the college were in great demand. A substantial percentage of enrolled pupils attended these classes; and those who had singing talent joined the college choir. [39]

The Central Turkey College had pupils from various nationalities attending its seven grades, including the preparatory classes. Most students were Armenian, but some were Assyrian, Greek, Jewish, Kurdish, Turkish, etc.

In 1878, the college began operating with 50-55 pupils, but a short time later, this number rose to 80. By 1890, total enrollment exceeded 100. At the start of the 1886-1887 academic year, enrollment stood at 107; but by the end of that year, only 102 pupils remained. In the 1888-1889 academic year, total enrollment was 84 pupils, of whom 40 were enrolled in the boarding section. In the following year, 1889, enrollment reached 98; in the 1890-1891 academic year, it stood at 94; and in the 1891-1892 academic year, it stood at 99. In 1902, the college had 129 pupils, two-thirds of whom were enrolled in the boarding section. In the 1903-1904 academic year, enrollment reached 162. According to the report on the 1913-1914 academic year, the college had an enrollment of 232 pupils, of whom 94 were enrolled in the four grades of the college, and 138 were enrolled in the preparatory classes. [40]

According to figures from 1909, of the 208 academic graduates of the college, 192 taught at the college after graduation. The other 58 attended preparatory classes in their chosen specialties, mostly theology or medicine. Of the 251 academic graduates from the first 25 graduating classes of the college, 122 continued their education in other institutions and received higher diplomas. [41]

A significant percentage of the college students came from Ayntab, but the institution also had pupils from Urfa, Kesab, Diyarbakir, Kilis, Hasanbeyli, Marash, Eypez, Gesaria, Sebastia, Zeytun, Birecik, Mardin, Siverek, Peylan, Nizip, Alexandrette, Aleppo, Van, Raqqah, and elsewhere. [42]

The tuition fee charged by the Central Turkey College was two Ottoman pounds for the preparatory classes and three Ottoman pounds for the college proper. Boarding students paid a fee of seven Ottoman pounds per year. [43] Other sources indicate that tuition fees fluctuated annually. Students could rent textbooks for a negligible fee, or could purchase them outright if they wished.

• [1] Catalogue of Central Turkey College at Aintab, Vilayet of Aleppo, Turkey in Asia, H. Matteosian Printing House, Bible House, Constantinople, 1901, p. 5.
• [2] Yeghia S. Kasuni, “History of the Central Turkey College of Ayntab (Including the History of the Medical School and the Azariah Smith Hospital),” Badmoutyun Ayntabi Hayots [History of the Armenians of Ayntab], volume 1, edited and compiled by Kevork A. Sarafian, Los Angeles, 1953 (hereby BAH, volume 1), pp. 809-810.
• [3] Ibid., p. 810.
• [4] An American educational institution outside of the borders of the United States. It was founded in Constantinople in 1863 by Christopher Rhinelander Robert and Cyrus Hamlin (see The Encyclopedia Americana International Edition, vol. 23, New York, 1967, p. 566).
• [5] Yeghia S. Kasuni, “History of the Central Turkey College of Ayntab,” BAH, volume 1, pp. 811.
• [6] Ibid., p. 812.
• [7] Catalogue of Central Turkey College at Ayntab…, 1901, p. 3.
• [8] An acre (an area of land that can be plowed in a single day).
• [9] Yeghia S. Kasuni, “History of the Central Turkey College of Ayntab,” BAH, volume 1, pp. 812-813.
• [10] “The School of Ayntab,” Avedaper, Constantinople, 8 February 1876, number 6, p. 41.
• [11] “The College of Ayntab,” Avedaper, Constantinople, 21 March 1876, number 12; ibid., 3 October 1876, number 40, p. 317; ibid., 31 October 1876, number 44, p. 345.
• [12] Yeghia S. Kasuni, “History of the Central Turkey College of Ayntab,” BAH, volume 1, p. 812.
• [13] Ibid., p. 813.
• [14] Ibid., pp. 813-815.
• [15] Ibid., p. 815.
• [16] Catalogue of Central Turkey College at Ayntab…, 1901, pp. 5-7.
• [17] Yeghia S. Kasuni, “History of the Central Turkey College of Ayntab,” BAH, volume 1, p. 845; also see Armenian Soviet Encyclopedia, fifth volume, Yerevan, 1979, p. 355.
• [18] Yeghia S. Kasuni, “History of the Central Turkey College of Ayntab,” BAH, volume 1, pp. 815-816.
• [19] Prof. H. A. Bezdjian, “The Educational Situation in Ayntab – The Past and Present,” Gochnag, New York, 30 March 1912, number 13, p. 306. 
• [20] Yeghia S. Kasuni, “History of the Central Turkey College of Ayntab,” BAH, volume 1, pp. 816-817.
• [21] Ibid., p. 817.
• [22] Ibid., pp. 817-818.
• [23] Vart, “The City of Ayntab,” Araks, Saint Petersburg, May 1888, book B, p. 59.
• [24] Yeghia S. Kasuni, “History of the Central Turkey College of Ayntab,” BAH, volume 1, pp. 818 and 820-821.
• [25] Catalogue of Central Turkey College at Ayntab…, 1901, p. 4.
• [26] Yeghia S. Kasuni, “History of the Central Turkey College of Ayntab,” BAH, volume 1, p. 823.
• [27] Ibid., p. 821.
• [28] Sadayı Hakikat (Turkish), meaning the “echo of truth.”
• [29] Yeghia S. Kasuni, “History of the Central Turkey College of Ayntab,” BAH, volume 1, p. 846.
• [30] Ibid., p. 826.
• [31] “Centr. Turkey College – Ayntab,” Arevelk, Constantinople, 4/17 August 1904, number 5635, p. 3.
• [32] Yeghia S. Kasuni, “History of the Central Turkey College of Ayntab,” BAH, volume 1, pp. 829 and 835.
• [33] Ibid., pp. 829-831.
• [34] Ibid., pp. 831-832.
• [35] Ibid., pp. 845-846.
• [36] “Internal [News],” subtitle: “Evangelical,” Avedaper, Constantinople, 10 July 1915, number 28, p. 600.
• [37] Yeghia S. Kasuni, “History of the Central Turkey College of Ayntab,” BAH, volume 1, pp. 836-839.
• [38] Ibid., p. 846.
• [39] Ibid., pp. 861-866.
• [40] Ibid., pp. 821, 841 and 843-844.
• [41] Bulletin of Central Turkey College, Aintab, Turkey in Asia, Levonian Memorial and Alumni Number, Published by Central Turkey College, September 1909, p. 36.
• [42] Yeghia S. Kasuni, “History of the Central Turkey College of Ayntab,” BAH, volume 1, p. 844.
• [43] Ibid.