University of La Verne Honors Retiring CFO

University of La Verne Honors Retiring CFO

Avo Kechicianwith ULV Presidents Risa Dickson, Devorah Lieberman, and Steve Morgan. (ULV Photo/Jeanine Hill)

Two Former ULV Presidents Join Current President to Honor VP for Administration and Finance, CFO Avo Kechichian, on His Retirement After More Than 40 Years

The University of La Verne's current president and two former presidents gathered to honor Chief Financial Officer Avo Kechician, who is retiring after more than 40 years of service.

The celebration took place in the Abraham Campus Center Ballroom, where colleagues offered tributes and Kechichian's sons, Alex and Chris, delivered a surprise salute. He also received a city proclamation from La Verne City Council members Steven Johnson and Wendy Lau, a member of the ULV Board of Trustees.

Kechician's association with La Verne began in 1977, when he arrived from war-torn Beirut, Lebanon, as an international student. To help pay for his education, he worked as a student worker for the facilities department.

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Ahmed S. Ispahani, professor of business administration and economics and Avo Kechician'sformer ULV instructor, was among those who paid tribute. (ULV Photo/Jeanine Hill)

After graduating with a BA in 1980 and MBA in 1985, Kechician joined the payroll office and steadily rose through the ranks to vice president of administration and finance and chief financial officer - a career that paralleled the university's growth into a nationally recognized institution.

"Over decades of change, Avo has made tough financial decisions, balanced the books in challenging times, and somehow kept everything running smoothly," ULV President Risa Dickson said. "Our current stability is proof of that."

Steve Morgan, who led the university from 1985 until his retirement in 2011, recalled Kechician's honesty and directness. "I always knew you were one of the people who would come into my office, sit me down, and tell me how it really was - rather than what I wanted to hear or thought it might be," Morgan said.

Devorah Lieberman, who succeeded Morgan and served as president until 2023, described Kechician as a strategic thinker who was both practical and forward-looking. "What truly distinguished him was how he worked," she said. "Avo was the consummate collaborative team member. He always put the university first."

La Verne is also where Kechician met his wife, Michelle, raised their family, and celebrated the graduations of both sons. The Kechichian family holds eight university degrees, with another forthcoming.

"Seeing so many people gathered - colleagues, board members, city leaders, friends, and family - was humbling and deeply moving," Kechician said. "It reminded me that a career is never about one individual, but about relationships built over time, shared purpose, and trust earned through years of working together."

In recognition of his service, the Board of Trustees is establishing a scholarship in Kechician's honor. The award will be combined with the existing Kechichian Family Scholarship to support students who, like Kechician, arrive with determination and financial need.

Asked for a final message for the ULV community, Kechician said: "As you look to the future, I hope you continue to believe in education's ability to change lives, just as it changed mine. When you lead with integrity, humility, and a commitment to your employees, students, and the broader community, you truly can achieve more than you ever imagined."