Bedros Apelian

In the fall of 1908, Bedros Apelian journeyed from Kessab, Syria to Cedar Falls, becoming one of the University of Northern Iowa’s earliest international students and leaving a legacy of resilience and determination. 

Apelian was one of the first international students at Iowa State Normal School — an Armenian Christian who had traveled over 10,000 miles to seek education in the American Midwest. 

At a time when global travel was difficult and international communication limited, Bedros stood out for more than just the traditional dress he wore in a now-iconic campus postcard. His story, rediscovered by UNI’s Office of Admissions over a century later, reveals a life dedicated to serving others. 

A graduate of Central Turkey College, a missionary school, and a former high school teacher in his homeland, Bedros wrote a letter in 1907 to Iowa State Normal School requesting admission. His grammar and composition of English — praised as better than “many Americans with twice the education” — helped secure his acceptance.

Once on campus, Bedros quickly became a beloved figure. He joined the Troubadours Glee Club, played tackle on the football team and was elected class historian for the Class of 1909. He shared his experiences in the 1908 Old Gold yearbook, recounting the hardships of leaving a land in turmoil and his desire to serve his people through education and faith.

His time in Iowa wasn’t without financial hardship. Recognizing his needs, the campus rallied around him. The YMCA and YWCA hosted benefit performances and the school even printed postcards of Bedros to help him raise funds. The campus newspaper described him as “one of the most universally respected and loved” students to attend the college.

After earning his Bachelor of Arts in 1909, Bedros continued his studies at Oberlin Theological Seminary, graduating in 1912. He went on to pastor churches in Brooklyn and New Jersey, while also studying at Columbia University and Union Theological Seminary. He became a U.S. citizen in 1914, and that same year helped Armenian student, Mihram Mardigian, enroll at the Teachers College — passing on the opportunity he had once been given. 

Bedros dedicated his life to humanitarian efforts, particularly in aid of Armenian orphans and victims of violence in the Middle East. In 1917, his church released him to perform relief work abroad. By 1922, he was leading the First Presbyterian Church in Bensonhurst and in 1950 he started serving a congregation in Radburn, New Jersey.