Climbing Above the Culture Clash

School Mourns Passing of Margaret der Hagopian
Boston University School of Law
mourns the passing of Margaret
“Margo” Der Hagopian, who passed
away in Winchester on July 22, 2009.
She is survived by her brother Robert
Hagopian and her nephew, Andrew
Hagopian, and his family. She was 82.
Her memorial at Marsh Chapel
and in the BU Law School was well
attended by many who loved her.
“We just want to thank everyone for the
wonderful tribute that BU School of Law
had for Margo,” said Andrew Hagopian.
“It was wonderful to hear of how she
has touched everyone. Margo would be
very honored to know the impact she has
had on not only the students and faculty
but also the history of the school.”
After joining the staff of BU Law 62
years ago in 1947, Margo became the
heart and soul of the School through
her dedication to excellence and her
unwavering kindness to all students,
faculty and staff who were fortunate
enough to know her. Even after her
retirement in 2006, Margo continued
to serve the School as its historian,
and she never lost touch with those
members of the BU Law community
about whom she deeply cared.
“Margo was a rare and delightful
person,” said Dean Maureen O’Rourke.
“She nurtured and supported our law
students and alumni for more than
half a century. Long after she earned
a relaxing retirement, she chose to
remain a vibrant contributor to the
School. Few people have been as
dedicated to the School and as loved by
faculty, staff, students and alumni.”
The daughter of Armenian immigrants,
Margo was a lifelong resident of
Newburyport. She earned an associate’s
degree in commercial science from
Boston University’s College of Practical
Arts and Letters in 1947. That same
year, she began working in the law
school as a secretary to the faculty. She
was hardworking and personable, and
she was quickly promoted several times,
eventually becoming assistant to the
dean. In her long relationship with the
law school, Margo worked under nine
deans. Her meticulous documentation
of the School’s history has preserved
the chronicle of BU Law for future
generations. Almost every corridor of the
law school contains framed photos of
distinguished alumni, thanks to Margo’s
tireless efforts to preserve their stories.
“Margo was a presence not only in
the alumni community, but also
throughout the entire law school. She
was strongly involved in organizing
alumni events, and she often attended
the board of trustees and the board
of visitors meetings,” said Professor
Stanley Fisher, who met Margo when
he joined the BU Law faculty in 1968.
Fall 2009 | The Record | 23