Champions of Philanthropy: New Book Honours Peter and Doris Kule

Edmonton - Peter and Doris Kule, exceptional individuals who have influenced the course of Canadian higher education, were honoured on July 2 with the presentation of a book dedicated to them and their work. Entitled Champions of Philanthropy: Peter and Doris Kule and their Endowments, the book was edited by Serge Cipko and Natalie Kononenko. The two editors made the presentation. Also in attendance were Kule Family members Nick and Josephine Kuleba, Ken and Debbie Pasnak, Christine Enns and Richard Turner, Peter Radesh and Audrey Manual; the spouses of the two editors, Jacqueline Tait and Peter Holloway; and Anna Biscoe and Catherine Szabo, who represented the Faculty of Arts at the University of Alberta.

The book dedicated to the Kules details their biographies and chronicles their contributions to Canadian higher education. Peter Kule, a retired accountant, came to Canada at the age of 18. He quickly learned English and used his remarkable aptitude for mathematics to begin studying for a career in accounting. Enterprising, resourceful, and exceptionally innovative, he not only mastered his chosen field, becoming a trusted and admired accountant, but also learned from everything he did. He turned his experiences working as a busboy - a part-time job he held to support himself - into a second career as an enormously successful real estate investor in the hospitality industry. Boundlessly energetic and dedicated to the Ukrainian community, Peter helped found the Ukrainian Professional and Businessmen’s Club in Edmonton and began volunteer work early, offering free accounting services to many organizations.   Doris was born east of Edmonton in Boian, Alberta. As energetic as her husband, with a deep love of education, she was an award-winning athlete, craftswoman, and gardener. After earning her degree in teaching, Doris worked in several rural schools and then in Beverly, which was later annexed to Edmonton. Together with her husband, she engaged in a variety of volunteer activities, especially through the Ukrainian Catholic Women’s League of Canada at St. Josaphat Ukrainian Catholic Cathedral in Edmonton.

As the book attests, the Kules have not only led exemplary lives but have been major supporters of higher education, endowing chairs and programs and providing other forms of support to the University of Alberta (Canadian Institute of Ukrainian Studies, Kule Folklore Centre, St. Joseph’s College, and School of Business) and to Grant MacEwan College (Ukrainian Resource and Development Centre) in Edmonton and to the University of Ottawa (Chair of Ukrainian Studies) and Saint Paul University (Metropolitan Andrey Sheptytsky Institute) in Ottawa.

A formal launch for Champions of Philanthropy: Peter and Doris Kule and their Endowments is planned for the fall. It will be hosted by the University of Alberta, and all contributors to the book, as well as family and friends, will be invited to attend.

Canadian Institute of Ukrainian Studies