UCEF Applauds CUCC and Ukrainian-Canadian Generosity in Supporting UCU

On December 7, 2011, Ukrainian Catholic University (UCU) representative Nataliya Pylatyuk was thrilled to accept multiple scholarship donations from members of the Canada-Ukraine Chamber of Commerce at their annual Christmas Party. “The generosity of the CUCC members will be greatly appreciated by every student who receives support,” stated Pylatyuk. “It allows them to continue their education in a corruption-free environment, with very high ethical and moral standards.”

Many CUCC members attended a business and professional luncheon, on November 10, featuring guest speakers Fr. Borys Gudziak, Rector UCU, and Yaroslav Rushchyshyn, UCU Senate Member and prominent Ukrainian businessman. The audience listened attentively and appreciated the opportunity to hear about the future plans of the University. The event was sponsored by Buduchnist Credit Union and Dr. Ernest Ewaschuk, and it was here that the first appeal for student scholarships was made.  Shelton Petroleum, Caravan Logistics and Carling Energy were among the first companies to commit to funding.

Although scholarship support has been strong, UCEF is still looking for 25 more Canadian supporters with the vision to provide an opportunity to a young Ukrainian student.

The day following the luncheon, at a community event sponsored by UCEF, former Etobicoke Centre MP Borys Wrzesnewskyj announced a $1.2 million donation by James Temerty, Canadian philanthropist, founder and Board Chair of Northland Power. The funds will be used to create three Chairs in Ukrainian-Jewish interfaith relations at Lviv’s Ukrainian Catholic University. In addition, Wrzesnewskyj, owner of Future Bakery and M-C Dairy donated $100,000 to the University on behalf of his family. Ukrainian Credit Union, an event sponsor, gave $5,000 and there were multiple donations from individuals who wish to remain anonymous.  Event supporters included Plast Toronto Branch, Future Bakery and Natalie’s Kitchen.

UCU has been blessed to have strong support from “Friends of UCU’ chapters worldwide and in Canada. Plans are being made to strengthen our support through further development of committees in Toronto and Winnipeg.  In November, events hosted by Calgary and Montreal ‘Friends of UCU’ have set the example as what can be accomplished. Pylatyuk had the opportunity to visit both cities in November and attend their functions.

“UCU is very grateful to our friends in Calgary and Montreal for all of their hard work in support of the University’s project”, commented Pylatyuk. “Thanks to the annual charitable events organized by the FOU Committees over the last three years, UCU is attracting more friends and academic partners, as well as financial supporters from both Ukrainian and non-Ukrainian circles in Canada.”

UCEF has been a registered charity in Canada since 2005, and was established to assist the growing needs of the Ukrainian Catholic University, which has more than 1,500 full and part time students.  It is the only Catholic university in the former Soviet Union and houses six research institutes and the Lviv School of Business. It offers excellent ‘Semester Abroad’ and ‘Summer Language and Culture’ programs for students from outside of Ukraine.

The generosity of Ukrainian-Canadians and their support for UCU during the two-month ‘Building a University’ tour has demonstrated their understanding of the importance of higher education, groundbreaking research and commitment to academic freedom.  Their vision in investing in young Ukrainians deserves recognition and applause.

For more information about UCU programs or to make a donation, please contact the UCEF Office at ucef@ucef.ca or (416) 239-2495.

PHOTO

CUCC Members (L to R): John Iwaniura, Caravan Logistics; Christine Kuzyk, UCEF; Paul Grod, Rodan Energy; Eugene & Renata Roman, Rosewood Winery; Zenon Potichny, Shelton Petroleum; Stefan Merena, Caravan Logistics; Markian Silecky, Carling Energy; Nataliya Pylatyuk, UCU; John Moskalyk, Carling Energy